Rian Johnson is back with Benoit Blanc for a new mystery that is coming for a short theatrical window before hitting Netflix. His third entry in his murder mystery franchise is arguably the worst one unfortunately. This is not to say that is *bad* per say, it’s also certainly not unwatchable by any means, but the issue ultimately comes down to the subject matter and the “killer” being a rather easy guess out of the gate. I don’t want to toot my horn, but I am not one who usually picks up on clues in movies or can figure out the whodunnit, so when it was revealed my gut reaction was right, it felt off-putting. These murder mystery movies always left you guessing to the end, and sure, the how was still a mystery, but the whodunnit should’ve been to.
L-R: Josh O’Connor as Rev. Jud Duplenticy and Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc in WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY. Photo courtesy of Netflix. © 2025 Netflix, Inc.
While the first Knives Out (2019) focused on who killed a father with everyone wanting a piece of the pie, Glass Onion (2022) focused on murder surrounding secrets, and Wake Up Dead Man focuses on who killed someone involved in the church. Taking a more religious approach to the franchise, in both literal and structural settings, is a choice that is the detriment to the movie as a whole. What should be a fun, witty, whodunnit story again turns into something that feels preachy at times and becomes something that the franchise never set out to be and slowly became with this entry. While there is still a lot of witty banter, clever death, and intriguing motive, overall, the preaching comes off a little too strong and dampens the overall fun and mystery of the movie. It also lacks some of that whimsy that Knives Out and Glass Onion both had with the comedic relief characters and the antics they found themselves in.
Josh Brolin as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks in WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY. Photo Credit: John Wilson/Netflix. © 2025 Netflix, Inc.
Without wanting to spoil who is murdered in Wake Up Dead Man, the cast of suspects is limited to the parishioners of the church, focusing on Reverand Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close), Dr. Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), Vera Draven (Kerry Washington), Lee Ross (Andrew Scott), Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny), Cy Draven (Daryl McCormack), and Samson Holt (Thomas Haden Church). Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) certainly has his work cut out for him between finding out who is responsible for this act and how they pulled off the quintessential perfect murder. There is rich backstory to a lot of our characters, making some of them prime suspects, but it is the performances from the cast that make them ripe for the picking. Alas, like all Knives Out mysteries, it may not always be the one you suspect most, but, as previously mentioned, this one was less mysterious.
O’Connor (Challengers) is the show-stealing, breakout star of Wake Up Dead Man, bar none. Coming in a third entry in a franchise, having to hold your own against the seasoned vet in Craig’s (Queer) Blanc and then having to share the screen with someone like Close (Mars Attacks!) is no easy task. He is the charisma, excitement, and crux that brings this perish group with one (or more) murder(s) to the forefront and his performance is top-notch. With a cast this rich, not everyone gets to shine as much as others, and, unfortunately, Renner (Arrival) and Scott (All of Us Strangers) fall slightly to the side, but Spaeny (Alien: Romulus), who also has limited time, makes the most out of it and delivers a performance to be remembered. She commands every scene she is in and gets the audience on board and behind her. Washington (Ray) and McCormack (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande) also, unfortunately, fall to the side, as neither deliver anything truly memorable but are good in their roles. Church (Sideways), although underutilized, is always a delight to see on screen and brings his gritty persona to life, leaving his short screen time memorable. Mila Kunis (Black Swan) as detective Geraldine Scott (who’s the local detective, not the leading detective/companion to Blanc) has limited screen presence and, thusly, doesn’t get enough time to be fleshed out or to leave a remarkable mark. Additionally, Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men), who has more screentime but still considerably less compared to the rest of the cast as Jefferson Wicks, an ecstatic and highly opiniated reverend, will send chills down one’s spine with his sermons, but additional screentime for the audience to sit with this character would’ve made his presence and performance stand out further. It is, however, Close who equally steals the spotlight with O’Connor as Craig almost plays second fiddle in this third entry. Close is passionate and electric in her performance, leaving an avid performance that is surely going to be the talking point as the film concludes.
L-R: Andrew Scott as Lee Ross, Mila Kunis as Police Chief Geraldine Scott, Daryl McCormack as Cy Draven, Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix, Cailee Spaeny as Simone Vivane, and Kerry Washington as Vera Draven, Esq. in WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY. Photo Credit: John Wilson/Netflix. © 2025 Netflix, Inc.
When making an ensemble film, the cast is the make-or-break it. The script could be one of the greatest things ever written, but if the ensemble as a whole falls short, then it doesn’t matter. Johnson (Brick) knows how to write a whodunnit; he’s proven himself twice already. The third outing is a little wobbly, a little too on-the-nose and preachy (subject matter given), but the ensemble here is excellent. Allowing his cast to outshine and outperform the leading man of Blanc, Craig taking the passenger seat to both O’Connor and Close, pays off in dividends as it gives more to the story than just another Benoit Blanc mystery with everyone else playing secondary. Instead, we’re letting the parish play lead here and it creates a new world and intrigue for audiences to fall in love with. It just loses its steam when it becomes too religious for its own good.
Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc in WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY. Photo courtesy of Netflix. © 2025 Netflix, Inc.
Wake Up Dead Man is the third entry into Rian Johnson’s whodunnit mystery series and, while it does falter with its overall message, the enjoyment, anticipation, and climatic nature of the film still shine bright. Even being able to predict the culprit(s), the how is always a mystery that leaves the entertainment and mystery at large. The entire cast here is excellent. With more screentime and ability to have their performances fleshed out there would undoubtedly be more standouts, but O’Connor and Close shine and steal focus away from the titular Blanc, but Craig never fails and brings his charismatic deduction to the forefront yet again.
Screened during Toronto International Film Festival 2025.
In select theaters November 26th, 2025.
Available on Netflix December 12th, 2025.
For more information, head to the official Toronto International Film Festival Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery webpage.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews, streaming
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