Movie Review: ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’

Johnson brings Daniel Craig’s drawling detective Benoit Blanc back for another murderous whodunnit, this time set in a close-knit church community.

(L to R) Josh O’Connor and Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2025.

In theaters on limited release from November 26 before heading to Netflix on December 12 is ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,’ the third in director Rian Johnson’s compelling mystery movie series.

Back as usual is Daniel Craig (‘Knives Out’), once more playing smart detective Benoit Blanc, joined by a new ensemble that includes Josh O’Connor (‘Challengers’), Josh Brolin (‘No Country for Old Men’), Glenn Close (‘Fatal Attraction’), Andrew Scott (‘All of Us Strangers’), Cailee Spaeny (‘Alien: Romulus’), Kerry Washington (‘Ray’) and Jeremy Renner (‘The Hurt Locker’).

Initial Thoughts

Josh Brolin in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2025.

Writer/director Rian Johnson breathed fresh, sharply-written life into the mystery genre with 2019’s ‘Knives Out.’ And if ‘Glass Onion’ in 2022 was a seemingly lesser (if still entertaining) follow-up, it’s relief to report that third outing ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ has much more in common –– especially in terms of quality character work and central crime –– with the first movie.

Script and Direction

(L to R) Director of Photography Steve Yedlin and Writer/Director Rian Johnson on the set of 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2025.

Johnson had always intended to make more movies featuring quirky, charismatic sleuth Benoit Blanc and a healthy deal from Netflix means we now have the third.

‘Wake Up Dead Man’ is a considerable step up from the second film, rivalling the original for how it weaves and then unravels its mystery. Part of the advantage is keeping Craig’s Blanc out of the story initially to give the other characters time to breathe. He still gets plenty of superb moments, but the ensemble as a whole has the space it needs to work.

Johnson has also made a beautiful-looking film, using the gloomy upstate New York setting (albeit filmed in the UK) to really enhance the storytelling.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Andrew Scott, Jeremy Renner, Cailee Spaeny, Kerry Washington, Thomas Haden Church, Glenn Close and Daryl McCormack in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2025.

Craig is a natural as Blanc at this point, and the faith-wrangling storyline really gives him something to chew on. But praise also to Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin, Thomas Haden Church and Glenn Close in particular, who are all fantastic.

Final Thoughts

(L to R) Josh O'Connor and Daniel Craig in 'Wake Up Dead Man'. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2025.

‘Wake Up Dead Man’ is certainly one of the best mystery movies to be released in the last couple of years, and happily stands alongside the first movie while nodding to its inspirations.

‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ receives 87 out of 100.

(L to R) Josh O’Connor and Josh Brolin in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2025.

What’s the story of ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’?

When young priest Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor) is sent to assist charismatic firebrand Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), it’s clear that all is not well in the pews.

After a sudden and seemingly impossible murder rocks the town, the lack of an obvious suspect prompts local police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis) to join forces with renowned detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) to unravel a mystery that defies all logic.