The celebrated Knives Out franchise has left fans hungry for more following the release of its third instalment, Wake Up Dead Man, on Netflix. While writer-director Rian Johnson has begun brainstorming ideas for a potential fourth film, he has confirmed that audiences will need to brace themselves for a significant wait before seeing Detective Benoit Blanc return.
Wake Up Dead Man Arrives on Netflix
The latest cinematic puzzle, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, landed on the streaming giant on December 12, 2025, after a theatrical debut in late November. Daniel Craig reprises his role as the brilliantly eccentric detective, Benoit Blanc, who is drawn into his "most dangerous case yet."
This time, the mystery unfolds in upstate New York, where Blanc partners with a well-meaning but inexperienced priest, Rev. Jud Duplenticy, played by Josh O'Connor. Netflix's official synopsis sets the scene: "Detective Benoit Blanc teams up with an earnest young priest to investigate a perfectly impossible crime at a small-town church with a dark history."
The film's impressive ensemble cast also includes Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Josh Brolin, Kerry Washington, and Andrew Scott.
Director's Vision for the Future of the Franchise
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Rian Johnson shared that while a fourth film has not been officially greenlit, he is already mulling over potential ideas. However, he was quick to temper expectations regarding a swift follow-up.
"I don't have a theme yet, I don't have a location. It's really pretty vague," Johnson admitted about the early concepts for Knives Out 4. He emphasised that he prefers to keep ideas fluid until he is ready to commit to the writing process.
Critically, Johnson revealed his plan to create at least one original film before circling back to the beloved whodunit series. This means development on the next Benoit Blanc adventure will not progress until he is further along with that separate project, guaranteeing a prolonged hiatus for fans.
Fan Reaction and the Long Road Ahead
The franchise continues to command a devoted following, with viewers taking to social media to praise Wake Up Dead Man. One fan exclaimed, "Just saw 'wake up dead man' and HOLY S***... the best movie that came out this year for sure," while another noted the film's rewatch value.
Johnson's enduring commitment to the series was previously highlighted in a 2022 Variety interview, where he stated he would continue making the films "as long as they'll let me."
For now, the message is clear: a fourth Knives Out film remains a tantalising possibility on the horizon, but its arrival is firmly in the distant future. In the meantime, all three existing films are available to stream exclusively on Netflix.
