Netflix’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery arrives not merely as the latest entry in Rian Johnson’s now-beloved series of whodunnits, but as a wholly immersive mystery that proves clever storytelling and richly drawn characterization still have cinematic power. The film, the third standalone chapter in the Knives Out saga, reunites us with Daniel Craig’s Southern-accented detective Benoit Blanc while expanding the world in surprising and deeply human directions.
By Allan R. Ellenberger
Wake Up Dead Man wastes little time before setting itself apart from other films in the franchise. While Benoit Blanc is still as zany and quirky as viewers love him to be, this installment throws him into a decidedly different locale. In the vein of the gothic genre while also possessing a sense of authentic heart, Wake Up Dead Man's story takes place in an upstate New York parish where tensions run high after the death of a charismatic and controversial pastor. In both its plot and subtext, the film works to tackle themes of faith, reason, sin, and even community, all while being a highly engaging whodunnit. As such, the film has a high score on review aggregator websites and has been praised by many critics for its meditation on humanity and its nature as an enthralling whodunnit.
Central to that success are the performances, which elevate material that could easily have felt rote in lesser hands. Josh O'Connor delivers a breakout turn as Father Jud Duplenticy; a boxer-turned-priest whose past troubles and present convictions make him a compelling focal point. Critics who have singled him out note that O'Connor brings both nuance and magnetism to the role, turning what could have been a supporting beat into the emotional heart of the film. His chemistry with Blanc and the rest of the cast provides the movie with a vibrant, lived-in energy that reliably charms.
Daniel Craig once again anchors the film as Benoit Blanc, deploying his signature blend of charm, wit, and thoughtful deduction. Blanc’s introduction comes later in the story than in previous installments—a choice that accentuates the film’s thematic layering and allows the other characters room to breathe before the mystery fully awakens.
The ensemble cast is uniformly excellent. Impossible to forget and always deeply expressive, Glenn Close brings gravitas and surprising humor to her role, a reminder that she is one of the best actors Hollywood has ever produced, and her performances almost never disappoint. Josh Brolin is stolid and menacing as the recalcitrant Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, providing the inciting murder with weight and rooting the crime in a richly textured social fabric. Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Thomas Haden Church and Mila Kunis all add their own flavors to the mix, making the church community feel like a world unto itself. While some characters feel more like puzzle pieces than fully explored figures, the cast's overall excellence never lets the story sag.
Technically, the film has a bounty of opulence. Johnson weaves well between horror-movie nostalgia and realistic pacing. Cinematography also accentuates both the rural setting's allure and the cunning wit behind a Knives Out conundrum. Certain scenes are both fraught and light-hearted, as the audience is likely to get caught up in characters' personal relationships as much as the tidbits.
Critics have responded to this installment as something of a triumph: thoughtful without being ponderous, articulate in its themes without sacrificing entertainment, and deeply respectful of the genre traditions it reinvigorates. One reviewer suggested it may be the best entry yet in the series precisely because it infuses the familiar puzzle format with philosophical and spiritual questions rarely seen in contemporary mainstream mysteries.
Critics have been of the same opinion as well. Wake Up Dead Man has very high approval ratings on major aggregator websites, with many reviewers complimenting not just its narrative, but also its ability to give Benoit Blanc another solid adventure and shine a light on more of his softer side.
As both Knives Out and its sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, are centered on being clever, sharp, and having a lot of heart, this third installment is a more grand one in that regard too. While still providing the enjoyable and effective trappings of a traditional mystery and whodunnit, it also weaves in a more nuanced and thematic exploration of faith, trust, and forgiveness. It's got twists that are rewarding and feel satisfying, dialogue that's strong and on point, standout performances, and solid direction. It's a must-watch for both newcomers to the genre and fans of the series as it has everything that a good old-fashioned whodunnit should.
You might have enjoyed this film for the top-notch performances, from Glenn Close, Daniel Craig, Josh Brolin, and Josh O'Connor. If so, you agree with many critics and fans who consider Wake Up Dead Man not just another sequel, but one of the best recent mystery films.
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