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

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.

​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.   

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’).

Related Article: Jeremy Renner, Glenn Close and Kerry Washington on for New ‘Knives Out’ Movie

Initial Thoughts

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

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

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

‘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.

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.

Who is in the cast of ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’?

Daniel Craig as Benoit BlancJosh O’Connor as Rev. Jud DuplenticyGlenn Close as Martha DelacroixJosh Brolin as Msgr. Jefferson WicksMila Kunis as Geraldine ScottJeremy Renner as Dr. Nat SharpKerry Washington as Vera DravenAndrew Scott as Lee RossCailee Spaeny as Simone VivaneDaryl McCormack as Cy DravenThomas Haden Church as Samson Holt

Other Movies Directed by Rian Johnson:

Buy Tickets: ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mhystery’ Movie Showtimes

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