This 94% Fresh Mystery Series Hides a Secret Connection to Classic Crime Shows

Rian Johnson has openly acknowledged that he’s been deeply immersed in the realm of mysteries as his career progression, particularly regarding the delay in his planned Star Wars trilogy. After experiencing a tumultuous year in 2017 following the release of Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, Johnson swiftly moved on to create more films and stories. His post-Star Wars project was a mystery thriller, Knives Out, released in 2019, which was followed by a sequel and an upcoming one, both featuring the character Benoit Blanc. Apart from his Knives Out films, he also developed a mystery TV series for Peacock, currently on its second season and gaining a dedicated fan base. Essentially, Johnson has added another mystery masterpiece to his repertoire.

It wasn’t until recently, when Johnson disclosed his affinity for Agatha Christie novels and vintage NBC mystery series from the ’60s and ’70s, that viewers truly appreciated his deep-rooted love. This passion not only led him to create the Knives Out movie franchise, but also inspired a new mystery series featuring Natasha Lyonne. Although the second season wasn’t as captivating as the first in some aspects compared to today’s unique TV shows, Johnson skillfully honors the genre’s iconic narratives through his work.

Poker Face Blends a Great Detective Story With an On-The-Run Adventure

In today’s film industry, simply telling a familiar tale within the same genre isn’t enough. The most successful modern projects are defined by their ability to skillfully combine different elements to produce something fresh and original. These combinations can range from blending genres, manipulating semantics or syntax, and many new movies and series excel at this. Poker Face is a great illustration of this trend, as it delivers an episodic detective story while following the serial escapades of protagonist Charlie Cale as she eludes a criminal organization determined to eliminate her.

In this series, Charlie Cale finds herself unraveling murders due to her unique ability to detect lies from afar. However, she can’t settle in one place for long because there’s a bounty on her head and relentless criminals are always chasing her. The show’s structure is captivating as each episode presents a new case, while the overarching plot continues to progress Charlie’s personal journey.

One method Rian Johnson distinguishes his series within its genre is through the episodic-serial format. Additionally, he sets his shows apart by assembling some of the most talented casts on television for each episode. Characters regularly appear and take center stage to unravel the next murder mystery. Furthermore, Johnson’s unique style is evident in the way he structures his stories. Each tale centers around the killer and victims involved in a given murder, allowing viewers to become familiar with their personalities, conflicts, and surroundings. Once this connection has been formed, the murder unfolds, leaving no doubt about who committed the crime or how it transpired.

As a movie enthusiast, I must say, watching “Poker Face” was an exhilarating ride! Instead of merely guessing who the murderer is like in traditional murder mysteries, we get to follow the protagonist as she gets entangled and eventually solves the crime. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep you hooked, making it just as engaging as the conventional structure. It’s a refreshing change from what fans usually expect, but Johnson masterfully sets “Poker Face” apart, making it unique in its own captivating way. These elements underscore how “Poker Face” carves out a niche for itself among mystery thrillers, borrowing inspiration from the genre’s great classics to keep even the subtlest details interesting.

Poker Face References Great Mystery Classics Like Columbo At the Beginning of Each Episode

At the start of each installment of “Poker Face”, viewers notice that every scene brims with intrigue. Given Rian Johnson’s deep-seated passion for mysteries and whodunits, “Poker Face” serves not only as his opportunity to create his own genre hits but also as a tribute to the works that preceded it. The show boasts several unique features that give it a dark, satirical, and suspenseful vibe, with a touch of pulp and an undercurrent of humor. The show’s violence, tone, special effects, and cinematography all differ significantly from the world Rian Johnson aims to build.

Occasionally, “Poker Face” seems as if it’s straight from an exhilarating mystery novel series (akin to those that inspired Johnson). One fascinating creative decision by Johnson is to commence each episode with a captivating title sequence.

Occasionally, Poker Face seems as if it belongs in a world reminiscent of Rodriguez or Leone, boasting an intense, almost grindhouse atmosphere that appeals to fans of such cinematic styles. However, the title card does not reference these specific influences, but rather alludes to a distinctly different form of storytelling altogether.

The title card of “Poker Face” stands out with a sense of nostalgia due to its distinctive font and copyright details, reminiscent of classic NBC mystery shows like “The NBC Tuesday Mystery Murder” and especially “Columbo”. Notably, the font used in “Poker Face”, Folio Bold Extended, was also employed for “Columbo” and other NBC mystery series from the 1960s and 1970s. Director Rian Johnson draws inspiration from these shows as they significantly impacted him growing up. “Columbo” is particularly noteworthy, being one of the most iconic television mysteries from the ’70s, with its detective protagonist, Lt. Columbo, known for unraveling seemingly unsolvable mysteries on the show.

In a similar vein, Columbo, portrayed by Peter Falk, was adored by audiences due to his distinctive character traits. Similarly, Charlie Cale in Poker Face stands out with her unique approach, employing the “one more thing” tactic to interrogate suspects throughout the series, much like Columbo. This method is consistent with how Charlie approaches suspects and has developed a captivating gimmick tied to her knack for detecting lies. Her signature phrase, “bullst,” is rapidly becoming one of the most entertaining catchphrases on television. Remarkably, Johnson is blending his own mystery genre while incorporating clever references and tributes to the series and narratives that have inspired it.

Poker Face Has the Ability to Continue for Multiple Seasons

As a dedicated cinephile, I’m eagerly anticipating the potential of Rian Johnson’s modern take on those classic NBC shows, much like the ones that captivated us back in the day. With a shot at becoming something extraordinary spanning numerous seasons, this new series, titled Poker Face, offers an intriguing blend of serialized narrative and episodic scenarios.

Unlike its predecessors, the show’s serial format provides our protagonist, Charlie, with a larger, evolving conflict that may ultimately determine her fate. Will she manage to surmount these challenges or will they force her to continue eluding her pursuers? Initially, Rian Johnson expressed his desire to extend the lifespan of Poker Face, aiming for as many seasons as possible.

After the debut of the second season, it seems like Charlie’s tale might be wrapping up earlier than anticipated by fans. As time unfolds, Charlie encounters her toughest challenge yet: confronting the crooks who are pursuing her relentlessly. The second season not only hints at a resolution but also sets the foundation for more developments ahead.

From a film enthusiast’s perspective, an intriguing development for the captivating character of Charlie in “Poker Face” could be her involvement in a more formal capacity with law enforcement. This shift could breathe new life into both her journey and the show itself, potentially elevating it to even greater heights of entertainment. As we look to timeless series like “Columbo” for inspiration, I have no doubt that Rian Johnson will skillfully progress Charlie’s narrative as long as there are compelling twists and turns ahead. In the meantime, eager fans can only wait with bated breath to see how this intriguing turn of events unfolds.

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2025-06-03 05:51