Meet The ‘Knives Out’ Family: Characters and Cast
All of these characters are family or considered family by Harlan. But, they are also all suspects in the gruesome murder of Mr. Thrombey. So which one could it have been, you may ask? Well, that’s something you’ll have to find out yourself. For now, these are the characters.
Harlan Thromby
Harlan Thrombey is played by the famously talented Christopher Plummer (1929–2021). Also known for, his roles in ‘Up’ (Walt Disney Pictures 2009), ‘All The Money In The World’ (TriStar Pictures 2017), and more iconic productions! Harlan is a self-made business owner. He owns the book publishing company ‘Blood Like Wine’ and also writes all of his own original . Worldwide he sold 2 Billion copies of his books. He lives in a gorgeous Massachusetts Mansion from the 1920s. It’s cost range is around $64 Million. The day of his untimely death was his 85th birthday. He had just celebrated with his family. He then finished the night off with his and Marta’s nightly game of go. In between that time, is when something went horribly wrong. Harlan was a tough man, but he sure did love his family. He always picked them up when they needed help the most, but unfortunately some people take advantage of that. Harlans care ended up shifting to someone who was always just making it by without any complaints. He had so much care for Marta that she felt more like home and family to him than his actual family.
The Drysdale Family: Linda, Richard, and Hugh “Ransom”
Linda Drysdale is played by well-known actress Jamie Lee Curtis. Also known for, acting in ‘Freaky Friday’ (Walt Disney Pictures 2003), ‘Halloween’ (CineLife Entertainment 1978), and much more! Linda is married to Richard Drysdale and has a son, Hugh Ransom Drysdale with him. Linda is Harlans oldest child and only daughter. She is a tough, confident woman who has her own real estate business in Boston. She claims that she built it from the ground up all by herself, but we all know Harlan gave her a loan to start it up. She keeps her ground throughout the entire investigation and will do nothing to incriminate her family. But, she will definitely incriminate someone who isn’t her family especially if that person has something she wants. Linda is married to her husband Richard Drysdale and they have a son together Hugh Ransom Drysdale. Harlan had his own personal way of showing Linda how much he truly loved and cared about her. It was something she kept with her even after his passing and it will forever be a remembrance of her father.
Richard Drysdale is played by the longtime actor Don Johnson. Also known for, being in ‘Miami Vice’ (Universal Television 1984–1989), ‘Watchman’ (DC Comics 2019), and loads in addition! Richard is the what seems to be loving husband of Linda, father of son Hugh Ransom Drysdale, and son-in-law to Harlan. Richard has helped Linda in her real estate business, but has no ownership of the company. After all, it is Linda’s baby that she started from the ground up. Richard shows his egotistical self throughout the investigation, while also displaying his white privilege and racism. Whenever he has an interaction with Marta (Harlans Nurse), he treats her as though she is the maid and always names a country that she is not from. He could care less about other people and that is seen when his dark secret is revealed.
Hugh Ransom Drysdale is played by the heartthrob Chris Evans. Also known for, his history making roles as Captain America in the Marvel Universe (Paramount Pictures 2011–2019), Torch in Fantastic Four (Twentieth Century Fox 2005–2007), and so many more on the list! Ransom or known as Hugh by the “help” is the most selfish, narcissistic character of all. Son of Linda and Richard Drysdale and grandson of Harlan. He is an exact copy of his dad, but with a more unique self-righteous personality. He is a big mystery throughout the investigation because he is overly helpful while also being overly nosy. He has never worked hard for anything and has always had everything handed to him like the trust fun ignoramus he is. He had the best relationship with his grandfather out of the entire family. They were two peas in a pod until the day of Harlans birthday party. That day the two had a fight in Harlans study, where Ransom angrily left and was not seen again until the will reading. He missed Harlans funeral, which raises many questions. It seems odd to many that he was so close, yet so far after his grandfathers death. Some things just don’t add up with this guy.
The Thrombey Family: Walt, Donna, and Jacob
Walt Thrombey is played by the multi-skilled Michael Shannon. Also known for, starring in ‘Kangaroo Jack’ (Warner Brothers 2003), ‘The Shape of Water’ (Twentieth Century Fox 2017), and other well known entertainment! Walt is Harlans youngest, but not his only son. He manages his fathers book publishing company, ‘Blood Like Wine’. He always suggest the up and coming future of technology opportunities that the books could have, but that was not Harlans speed. Walt wanted more for the company and tried his hardest to always be on his fathers good side. All the way to his fathers death, he never learned Mr.Thrombey’s ways and thinking. Harlan had always wished he let Walt be more independent because he felt as though he carved the way for his son too easily. Walt other downfall is, he never understood what his father really wanted for the publishing company. Walt’s actions put a toll on Harlans sensitivity towards him. Other than that, he is married to Donna Thrombey with whom he has a son Jacob Thrombey with.
Donna Thrombey is played by Riki Lindhome. Also known for, her acting (including voiceover) in ‘Duncanville’ (FOX 2020), ‘The Lego Batman Movie’ (Warner Brothers 2017), and more comedies! Donna is Walt’s wife, mother to their son Jacob and daughter-in-law of Harlan. She isn’t seen much, but when she is she seems to keep to herself. She is always frightened easily, which startles her family members and also annoys them. She is very stuck up and nosy. She seems worried by her sons choices and following, but doesn’t take very much action against it. There is one thing for sure about her, she is a follower and not a leader.
Jacob Thrombey is played by Jaeden Martell. Also known for, his adroitness in ‘Defending Jacob’ (Apple Tv 2020), ‘It + Chapter 2’ (New Line Cinema 2017–2019), and a good amount of projects since childhood! Jacob is the son of Walt and Donna Thrombey, also Harlans grandson. He has a very passionate, powerful voice behind him. Though his point of view, is not one his family likes and worries about he still holds up his end of politics and such. Jacobs family is worried about his views, but at the same time theirs are not far off from his. His face is always in his phone when you see him because he loves to listen to all of the propaganda and delusions of politics. He is also a bit racist like his Uncle Richard. He has had some unkind words to say to Marta during the investigation that were based solely off her race. His family believes that his becoming a part alt-right as he listens to all of the none sense flowing to him from social media and the news. He is not the nicest teenager especially because of what he puts his time and interest into. He not only had some words for Marta, but also for his cousin Meg because he likes to label her as a “snowflake”.
Joni and Meg Thrombey
Joni Thrombey is played by the highly talented Toni Collete. Also known for, her roles ‘Hereditary’ (PalmStar Media 2018), ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ (Fox Searchlight Pictures 2006), and so many others! Joni is the widow of Harlan’s son Neil Thrombey (death unknown), mother to their child Meg, and Harlan’s daughter-in-law. Joni is what some would call a leech. She has stayed what she thinks is close with the Thrombey’s. They more or less put up with her. She has her own business ‘Flam’ claims is “more than a word, it’s a whole new way of being”. Joni is a kind of lost in the sauce and very privileged. She has been able to keep her life up and going because of the Thrombey’s. They have done more for her than she could do for them. Mostly Harlan though. He would give her a yearly allowance wired right into her bank account. She does have a kind and nurturing soul, but not everything is there that should be.
Meg Thrombey is played by the popular actress Katherine Langford. Also known for, her appearances in ‘13 Reasons Why’ (Paramount Television 2017), ‘Love, Simon’ (Fox 2000 Pictures 2018), and a whole bunch of tv interviews! Meg is the granddaughter to Harlan and daughter of Joni and the late Neil Thrombey. She is in college attending a top tier private school (unnamed). She is kind and genuine, unlike most of her family. She has a great friendship with Marta and always knows where to get the party started with Fran (Harlans butler). The night of Harlan’s party, she left to go to a party at Smith, little did she know that would be the last time she saw her grandfather. Harlan was very good to Meg, he wired the full payments to Megs school because something that Meg didn’t know is that her mothers skincare Flam is failing and she is unable to pay for her tuition. Meg is very clueless when it comes to her family, but at least she has the good qualities that most of her family does not have.
Harlan’s Nurse: Marta
Marta Cabrera is played by the amazingly gifted Ana De Armas. Also known for, movies including ‘Knock Knock’ (Dragonfly Entertainment 2015), ‘War Dogs’ (BZ Entertainment 2016), and many other films! Marta is Harlan’s nurse and over the time became a close friend. She lives in an apartment with her mom and sister. She would play nightly go with Harlan, as well as spend more hours with him than his own family. Marta was always considered part of the family by everyone, but as you continue to watch their actions you question their words. She is not treated the best by the Thrombey’s and they continue to gaslight her, while she can clearly see right through their snobby privilege. She hears everything from Harlan about his family. She knows what goes on with their relationship with Harlan. Marta is nothing but kind, caring, and overall better person than all of Harlans own family. That is why Harlan appreciated her so much. She was real and knew what she was truly grateful for in life. Marta is all light and no dark, which is why Harlan chose a big path in life for her. She is someone who truly deserves the praise and rewards they get.
Detectives: Beniot Blanc and Lieutenant Elliot
Beniot Blanc is played by Daniel Craig known for his adventures as James Bond in the ‘007’ movies series (Columbia Pictures 2006–2021) and bunches of others. Benoit Blanc is quite a mystery up until the end. Throughout, no one knows who hired him besides that person. Beniot himself has no idea. All he got was a newspaper article and cash sent to him, so he took the bait. Beniot Blanc is very well known for his mystery solving skills and was even written about in the New Yorker. Most of the family knows of him because they have seen him in the media before. It is a confusion to everyone why he is there because to their knowledge Harlan committed suicide. Beniot is very intelligent and witty. Rarely anything gets passed him, but he doesn’t lead you on the believe anything. In the end, Beniot is the mastermind who solves the giant mystery of “Who Killed Harlan?”. If that’s even true.
Lieutenant Elliot is played by LaKeith Stanfield known for his outstanding performances in ‘Atlanta’ (FX Productions 2016-present), ‘Judas and The Black Messiah’ (Warner Brothers Pictures 2021), and many more incredible films. Detective Elliot is a caring, simple detective. He is there every step of the way with Beniot Blanc. Elliot starts off interviewing each family member, but is soon let go of the task when Blanc gets interested in interviewing the family members himself. Before Blanc appeared, Elliot wanted to rule Harlans death as suicide. But, once Beniot Blanc came and worked his knowledge more and more started to come out, which lead them to the exact direction they needed to go in and one that left Lieutenant Elliot in a bit of a shock.
