The unexpected union between 'Knives Out' and the oldest meme on the Internet

In an unexpected turn, the influence of the internet phenomenon known as rickrolling has reached the screens of Netflix, thanks to director Rian Johnson. Known for his work on the Knives Out saga, Johnson has included a subtle reference to the iconic music video Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley in his latest installment, creating a link between the world of digital entertainment and cinema.

Never gonna give Benoit Blanc up

For those who are not familiar, rickrolling is a prank that redirects users to this music video through links that promise attractive content, such as a highly anticipated movie trailer. This meme has proven its durability since its creation in 2007, accumulating over 1.7 billion views on YouTube and becoming a recognizable element of popular culture. The combination of Astley’s catchy rhythm and the nostalgic representation of his style has made the song resonate with multiple generations.

During the filming of ‘Knives Out: From the Dead’, Johnson went beyond a simple reference. The director admitted that he shared the song with his team, showing his appreciation for the cultural phenomenon that rickrolling represents. “This is true and I was the only one on set excited about it”, he commented, revealing that some team members did not fully understand the connection.

Retailers and fans have noticed that visual elements from the movie evoke the music video, such as a window that is practically identical to that of the famous video. This unusual fusion of media invites viewers to reimagine their memories and enjoy Astley’s clip again every time they watch the movie, planting a seed of nostalgia where there was once only mystery. Perhaps now, detective Benoit Blanc and Rick Astley are more connected than we think.