Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery takes the franchise into unexpected territory, trading sharp satire for a brooding, atmospheric whodunit rooted in faith, guilt, and long-buried secrets. Streaming on Netflix from December 12, the film stars Daniel Craig alongside an impressive ensemble including Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin, Glenn Close, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis, and Cailee Spaeny. With its restrained storytelling and haunting setting, the film proves that Knives Out is evolving rather than repeating itself.
A Mystery That Plays by Its Own Rules
From its opening moments, Wake Up Dead Man establishes a tone unlike anything seen in the franchise before. Rian Johnson places Benoit Blanc in a quiet, isolated town built around an old stone church and a tightly knit congregation. The colourful chaos of sprawling mansions and eccentric billionaires is replaced by fog-drenched graveyards, candlelit interiors, and an unsettling stillness that never fully breaks.
The film leans heavily into mood, silence, and suggestion, allowing tension to simmer rather than explode. While it remains a classic whodunit at heart, the narrative is infused with themes of belief, power, and unspoken guilt. Johnson is less interested in flashy twists and more focused on the psychological weight of secrets, giving the mystery a mature and almost spiritual dimension.
When Faith Becomes a Crime Scene
The plot is set in motion when Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), the authoritative head of the local church, is found dead under suspicious circumstances just days before a Good Friday service. Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is called in, quickly sensing that the community’s calm surface hides years of resentment and compromise.
Suspicion falls on several figures connected to the church. Father Jud (Josh O’Connor), a young priest struggling with doubt and unresolved trauma, becomes a key focus. Glenn Close plays Martha, a longtime church aide whose quiet presence conceals deep knowledge of internal conflicts. Other characters—including Kerry Washington’s sharp-tongued lawyer, Jeremy Renner’s morally conflicted doctor, Andrew Scott’s enigmatic author, and Cailee Spaeny’s reserved musician—each bring their own secrets into Blanc’s widening investigation.
As Blanc methodically pieces together alibis and motivations, the mystery unfolds at a deliberate pace, allowing character dynamics to take centre stage over shock value.
Atmosphere Over Flash, Substance Over Speed
What sets Wake Up Dead Man apart is its confidence in restraint. The film embraces a slower rhythm, using dim lighting, weathered stone interiors, and haunting sound design to enhance its gothic atmosphere. Every location—from the church pews to the surrounding graveyard—feels essential to the story, reinforcing the idea that the setting itself holds memory and guilt.
The screenplay touches on themes of moral authority, fear of exposure, and the personal cost of faith. Compared to Knives Out’s sharp humour and Glass Onion’s bold satire, this entry feels introspective and quietly unsettling. It is a film that asks viewers to listen closely, rewarding patience with emotional depth rather than constant spectacle.
Daniel Craig Anchors the Franchise at Its Best
Daniel Craig delivers his most nuanced performance as Benoit Blanc to date. His Southern drawl remains intact, but his presence is softer, more contemplative. Blanc speaks less, observes more, and carries an undercurrent of melancholy that aligns perfectly with the film’s tone.
Josh O’Connor stands out among the ensemble, bringing nervous vulnerability and emotional complexity to Father Jud. His performance adds unpredictability to the mystery and grounds the film’s exploration of faith and doubt. The supporting cast, including Glenn Close, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, and Jeremy Renner, fits seamlessly into the narrative, each contributing to the sense that no one in this town is entirely innocent.
Final Verdict
Wake Up Dead Man is the most mature and atmospheric entry in the Knives Out series so far. Rian Johnson reinvents the franchise without abandoning its core, delivering a mystery that prioritises mood, character, and emotional resonance over flashy twists. Anchored by a quietly powerful performance from Daniel Craig, the film proves that Benoit Blanc still has many layers left to uncover. It may not be the loudest or funniest chapter, but it is undoubtedly the most haunting—and perhaps the most rewarding—for viewers willing to lean into its darkness.
