The latest installment in Rian Johnson's critically acclaimed whodunnit series has arrived, and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery proves this franchise remains as sharp as ever. Three films in, detective Benoit Blanc's winning formula continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of intellectual puzzles and charismatic performances.
A Gothic Twist on Classic Whodunnits
From the very beginning, Wake Up Dead Man wears its literary influences proudly. Early in the film, Benoit Blanc discovers a list of classic mystery novels that includes John Dickson Carr's The Hollow Man, Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, and Edgar Allan Poe's The Murders in the Rue Morgue. This deliberate nod to the genre's foundations demonstrates Johnson's deep understanding of mystery storytelling.
The film marks a distinct tonal shift from its predecessors. While the original Knives Out offered classic mahogany-panelled Christie vibes and Glass Onion delivered sunbaked luxury, Wake Up Dead Man embraces Gothic atmosphere. This stylistic choice feels particularly timely, arriving in a year that has seen numerous Gothic adaptations including Nosferatu and Frankenstein.
Josh O'Connor's Standout Performance
The most remarkable aspect of this third installment is the partnership between Daniel Craig's debonair detective and Josh O'Connor's Reverend Jud Duplenticy. O'Connor brings his crumpled brow and bashful smirk to brilliant effect as a timid priest seeking absolution for his violent past.
As Jud describes himself, he's "young, dumb, and full of Christ" – a character that O'Connor invests with surprising depth and contradiction. Beneath the gentle, reedy voice lies a clarity of thought that challenges both the conservative faith of Josh Brolin's Monsignor Jefferson Wicks and the strictly logical worldview of Benoit Blanc himself.
The supporting cast represents the usual eccentric Knives Out archetypes we've come to expect, including Glenn Close as fervid Martha Delacroix, Andrew Scott as washed-up sci-fi writer Lee Ross, and Kerry Washington as sharp-tongued lawyer Vera Draven. Jeremy Renner, Cailee Spaeny, and Daryl McCormack round out this impressive ensemble.
Faith, Morality and Modern Anxieties
Wake Up Dead Man distinguishes itself by tackling weightier themes than its predecessors. The film explores the Trumpian influence of Josh Brolin's Monsignor Wicks, who preys on his congregation's vulnerabilities and desperation to escape the modern world.
Johnson proves both ruthless and sincere in his examination of faith's moral worth. When Benoit Blanc delivers his final verdict, he does so from the pulpit – a powerful visual metaphor for the film's deeper concerns about righteousness in an unrighteous world.
While the film may be slightly baggier in its delivery than previous installments and perhaps not as clever in its ultimate solution, these are relatively negligible concerns. What remains undeniable is that Rian Johnson has crafted a mystery series that continues to evolve while maintaining its core appeal.
The film extends beyond the typical punchline denouement to offer a poignant examination of moral complexity. As Jud believes, "A priest is a shepherd. The world is a wolf." In this context, Benoit Blanc serves as the torch guiding us through the darkness – both literal and metaphorical.
Directed by Rian Johnson and starring Daniel Craig, Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, and an impressive supporting cast, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery runs 144 minutes and carries a 12A certificate. The series has yet to stumble, and this third installment proves there's plenty of life left in Benoit Blanc's detective career.
