I was spoiled on one section of dialogue before watching it, but boy was that spoiler a doozy.

It was the "There is a subtle difference between the tension and viscosity of the two liquids. You gave Harlan the right medicine, because you are a good nurse." bit.

This obviously changes your understanding of the plot for most of the movie, but I honestly think I liked it better that way. The scene where Harlan plots how to cover up his death was extra tragic because it totally unnecessary you dramatic old coot.

(Also, Chris Evans makes a surprisingly effective villain.)

I rewatched it, since I have it for 48 hours, and realized: if Ransom had been 5% less of an overdramatic asshole, he would have gotten away clean.

1. Realize Marta committed no actual crime.
2. Murder Fran, the only person who's suspicious of you. Do NOT pull any stupid fake blackmail schemes to lead Marta to the body.
3. Keep helping Marta hide the crime she committed. This will be very easy, see point 1.

4. The police find no evidence of a crime. They look at the tox screen in their un-burned evidence building and it shows nothing.
5. In exchange for your "help", demand a larger share of the money than you would have gotten anyway. Maybe even get ambitious and go halfsies.
6. Profit.

But no. He didn't just want money, he wanted Marta not to get the money.

I'm not sure if he actually believes any of that "ancestral home" crap he was spouting at the end or if he just hates that she beat Harlan at go more than he did.

(Nor do I especially care. He was a dick, he lost, the end.)

On your initial watch, had you bought into the misdirections that were thrown your way?

I don't think so, but that's partially because I don't really try to anticipate plots ahead of time. If I end up with a theory, that's fun, but I don't get attached to it.

I did have a running count of the clues/plot points that hadn't been accounted for, though, so I figured out early on that the dogs barking at 3am wasn't Marta.

Neat! Thanks for responding. 👍