Unraveling the mystery of 'Wake Up Dead Man': Cast, plot, and reviews of the new 'Knives Out' film.

Mystery enthusiasts, get ready a fresh installment in the Knives Out series has arrived. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery premiered in theaters for a limited engagement on November 26, before becoming available on Netflix on December 12. Once again, Daniel Craig reprises his role as Southern detective Benoit Blanc, who faces a perplexing murder involving a host of suspicious characters.

Unlike previous entries where the original Knives Out was set in a wealthy authors mansion and Glass Onion unfolded on a billionaires private island this chapter transports Blanc to a small church in upstate New York. Director Rian Johnson described it to Netflixs Tudum as his most personal journey yet. He added that the film harkens back to the roots of detective fiction, predating Agatha Christie and drawing inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe, all while retaining its signature humor and playful tone.

Plot Overview

Without revealing too much, the story centers around a murder at the church. Young priest Jud Duplenticy (Josh OConnor) is assisting Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin) when the monsignor unexpectedly dies. Suspicion immediately falls on Jud, who had conflicts with Wicks. As he wrestles with his faith, Blanc, aided by police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis), unravels a labyrinthine mystery where nearly every member of the congregation seems guilty. The ultimate question remains: who is truly responsible for what Blanc calls an impossible crime?

Do You Need to Watch the Previous Films?

Each Knives Out installment is a self-contained mystery. While Blanc returns as the detective, prior knowledge of his past cases is not necessary. Johnson emphasized that the appeal of his detectives lies in their enigmatic nature the character unfolds through their actions rather than backstory, making the films accessible to newcomers.

Main Cast

• Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc
• Josh OConnor as Father Jud Duplenticy
• Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix
• Josh Brolin as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks
• Mila Kunis as Geraldine Scott
• Jeremy Renner as Dr. Nat Sharp
• Kerry Washington as Vera Draven
• Andrew Scott as Lee Ross
• Cailee Spaeny as Simone Vivane
• Daryl McCormack as Cy Draven
• Thomas Haden Church as Samson Holt

Critical Reception

Reviews for Wake Up Dead Man have been overwhelmingly positive. The film currently holds a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, earning a Certified Fresh status. Daniel Craigs return has been praised, but Josh OConnors performance has drawn particular acclaim. TV Guide highlighted his ability to shift seamlessly between comedy, drama, and intensity, while The Observer called him a standout in a star-studded ensemble. Critics noted that his performance complements Craigs charismatic yet nuanced portrayal of Blanc.

Future of the Series

Netflix has so far commissioned only the two most recent films from Johnson, but both he and Craig have expressed enthusiasm for continuing the series. Johnson indicated that as long as he and Craig enjoy working together and the stories remain fresh and exciting, more Knives Out mysteries could follow. Craig has also hinted at interest in a fourth film if the scripts continue in this vein.

Author: Benjamin Carter