Detective Benoit Blanc is facing his most puzzling case yet, when a devout congregation finds one of their own murdered, and its new reverend is the number one suspect. But is it divine intervention or plain old human sin? Wake Up Dead Man serves as the third installment in Rian Johnson‘s Knives Out series, resurrecting the franchise for an intriguing web of secrets with impeccable performances that will keep you guessing every step of the way.
Much like an engrossing mystery novel, Knives Out was a brilliant whodunnit that was meticulous, witty, and stylish. Set against an atmospheric and captivating Gothic Revival manor, a character in itself. Its semi-political undertones only made it more entertaining as we watched an affluent group of folks be challenged so mercilessly by Blanc (Daniel Craig). The cast was stellar, the humor impeccable, making for an unforgettable theatrical mystery.
Its sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, took the franchise to Netflix, but there was a spark missing. While there was a lesson in class, race, and privilege in the first film, it felt relatable with humor that matched. With the sequel, its satire was much different. Everything felt over the top in a way that made it feel like a juvenile skit. And though it has a great cast, it felt too focused on celebrity without really saying anything meaningful about the culture.
Luckily, Wake Up Dead Man does a perfect job crafting a clever mystery that’s able to change up the series formula without sacrificing the aspects we love. It’s punchier in its dialogue than Glass Onion, with a New England setting that feels reminiscent of Knives Out. And while it leans heavily into religious themes, it does so in a way that is, ironically, not preachy in its message but something we can all relate to.
Taking place for the most part in a Gothic church, its setting is a character in itself. The way it’s structured and adorned, it provides a haunting atmosphere, offering locations with rich architectural interest that lean more heavily into the film’s 70s detective noir inspiration. Even the way light flows in through the church’s windows directs the viewer’s eyes or changes the feeling of certain scenes.
As with every Knives Out mystery, a stellar ensemble is needed. Of course, we have the return of Craig as Benoit Blanc, offering another dazzling performance I’ll come back to later. His new investigative sidekick, Rev. Jud Duplenticy, a young and formerly troubled priest, is played by Challengers actor Josh O’Connor. The two make a fabulous duo and have a lovely dynamic that makes every one of their scenes together extra enjoyable. And especially as the film dips into complex religious themes, O’Connor gives a nuanced performance with precision and emotion.
The iconic Glenn Close portrays a senior member of the church, working alongside Josh Brolin‘s character Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, the church’s eccentric and temperamental leader. I love the duality in their roles together, especially as more and more is revealed.
Rounding out the ensemble are Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, and Daryl McCormack, among a few others. While everyone does a great job with their material, they do feel underutilized. Some characters are more fleshed out than others, but it never felt like you really get a solid grip on who these people are, and sometimes they feel more shoehorned into a persona. I just crave another cast of developed characters that can match the level of the first film.
But I would say my biggest issue with this film is its runtime. It exhausts itself by stretching to two and a half hours. There are moments, especially in its second act, that it feels tedious to sit through. While I love the intricacy of the mystery and how everything comes together in the end, there are moments that feel repetitive and as though they are not progressing the story.
Despite those few issues, Wake Up Dead Man is the perfect entry to the series and a delightful puzzle to solve. While Glass Onion left me unimpressed, I’ve always felt that Johnson has a real knack for complex storytelling, perfect for the whodunnit style. And I think there is something really special about his partnership with Craig. With this film, it feels like Johnson is really honing in on the charisma, charm, and comedy of Blanc — building onto the character’s backstory without revealing too much about the enigmatic detective. It’s what makes these films so much fun to return to and makes me hopeful for future Benoit Blanc investigations.
Wake Up Dead Man hits theaters November 26 before streaming on Netflix December 12
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