One of my favorite metaphors of Glass Onion is the Mona Lisa vs the Glass Onion.
Miles is constantly comparing himself, whether directly or indirectly, to the Mona Lisa. He wants to be āforever remembered in the same breathā as her. He plays up the mystery and the complexity of the painting, the artistry, the skill and the knowledge that went into it; All traits that he wants others to see in him.
But when Miles is describing the painting, who gets the closeup shot? Not Miles, but Helen. Helen is the one who gets multiple shots throughout the movie mirroring the Mona Lisa- same pose, same unreadable expression.
Because Miles isnāt the Mona Lisa, however much he wishes he was. Miles is the Glass Onion. Something trying to look complex and layered on the outside, when in reality, the center is in plain sight. Miles isnāt some enigmatic genius, he is exactly what he appears to be at first glance: an idiotic, rich, egotistical, shithead.
He didnāt make his own puzzles, he didnāt write his own murder, he didnāt create his own art, he didnāt even come up with the idea for his company. His island is filled with things made by other people. He isnāt even the person who did the thing that will forever connect him to the Mona Lisa. The thing that will forever tie him to Helen Brand.
Helen is the one with complexity. Helen is the one surrounded by mystery. Helen is the one whoās more than meets the eye. Helen is the Mona Lisa, and the Mona Lisa destroyed herself to take down Miles Bron.

















