Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery once again delivers a twisted, shocking murder mystery while referencing modern society. It boasts another incredible ensemble cast.
The Knives Out franchise, which was created by writer-director Rian Johnson, has firmly established itself as a beloved exploration of the whodunit genre. The latest installment, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, not only meets the high expectations set by its predecessors but raises the bar at the same time, delivering a film that is arguably the most complex and ultimately satisfying entry yet.
Rian Johnson’s success lies in his ability to deconstruct and reassemble the murder mystery formula, ensuring that even familiar tropes feel fresh and exciting. He always obtains a stellar ensemble cast, and just when you think they cannot get any better, they do. This film in particular, tackles religion and politics, two things most would stay away from, but not Rian Johnson. What we end up with is an incredibly entertaining, hilarious, and downright shocking murder mystery.
Rian Johnson Has Secured Another Stellar Ensemble Cast
As with all entries in the series, the ensemble cast assembled for Wake Up Dead Man is truly exceptional. While every performance contributes meaningfully to the dynamic tension – a hallmark of the series – a few stand-outs help this story become the best that it can be.
Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin, and the legendary Glenn Close deliver particularly compelling and layered performances that enhance the core mystery and emotional stakes. Their characters are rich with hidden motivations and personal histories (that will leave your jaw on the floor once revealed), executed with a remarkable subtlety. The chemistry among the entire cast is unmatched, which is why viewers will have a hard time putting all the pieces together – which is Rian Johnson’s intention, of course.
Wake Up Dead Man Excels In Cinematography & Visuals As Well
Rian Johnson’s technical ambition also shines brightly throughout the film. The lighting design, in particular, moves beyond mere visual flair to become a key narrative tool, shaping the emotional landscape of the movie. During some of the most dramatic moments, the sun will either go behind a cloud or peek out from behind it, which enhances the scene. Johnson knows exactly what he is doing in these key moments. The score also contributes to these thrilling, exciting, and shocking scenes.
While the film runs for over two hours, the pacing is on point. The time flies by as the audience is drawn deeper into the mystery of it all, trying to put it all together, knowing full well they probably will not succeed. Wake Up Dead Man never feels indulgent; every scene is a necessary clue or character beat, whether you recognize it upon first watch or not. As with all of the Knives Out franchise, this film lends itself to rewatchability, so that viewers can see everything that was laid out in plain sight.
The narrative itself is a showcase for Rian Johnson’s intelligence as a writer, expertly blending a classic mystery structure with timely themes and inspirations – something he has always done so well. While not shoved down your throat, there are some political dynamics and an exploration of religion and faith. This sensitive subject is handled with immense care, allowing for genuine interpretation and avoiding any sense of ostracization toward those who are religious (and those who are not).
Overall Thoughts On Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
The mystery at the heart of Wake Up Dead Man is surprising and exciting. I personally find this to be my favorite of the three Knives Out films, but perhaps that is just recency bias talking. The twists and turns are relentless, consistently pulling the rug out from under the audience’s preconceived notions. About halfway through, I thought for sure I knew what had happened – and boy was I was wrong.
I cannot talk about this film without mentioning the franchise’s cornerstone, Detective Benoit Blanc. Daniel Craig once again delivers a performance that is both familiar and excitingly fresh (that hair!). Craig continues to find new ways to make us fall in love with the eccentric Southern investigator, ensuring Blanc remains one of cinema’s most delightful and enduring modern detectives. His dry wit, his penetrating intellect, and his surprising moments of empathy make him extremely lovable and often times, hilarious.
With Rian Johnson having already mentioned he has thoughts on the next film during a recent press conference, I am eagerly anticipating more adventures from the world’s most renowned private investigator.
About Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Detective Benoit Blanc sifts through a series of suspects when a monsignor turns up dead.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery starts streaming on Netflix on December 12, 2025.
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Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery once again delivers a twisted, shocking murder mystery while referencing modern society. Another incredible ensemble.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.