In a highly anticipated return, Daniel Craig’s iconic detective Benoit Blanc steps back into the spotlight for the third installment of the “Knives Out” franchise titled “Wake Up Dead Man.” This latest adventure, deemed the “darkest chapter” by writer-director Rian Johnson, promises to deliver an intricate blend of mystery and dark humor.
Set against the backdrop of upstate New York, the film introduces audiences to Father Jud, portrayed by Josh O’Connor, a kind-hearted young priest sent to assist the charismatic Monsignor Wicks, played by Josh Brolin. Their serene town is soon thrown into chaos following a shocking and seemingly impossible murder. With no clear suspect in sight, local police chief Geraldine Scott, played by Mila Kunis, teams up with the skilled detective Blanc to navigate a conundrum that challenges all logic.
Johnson has indicated that “Wake Up Dead Man” will diverge significantly from its predecessor, “Glass Onion,” stating that it captures a more Gothic and grounded tone. The film, set predominantly in an old stone church and featuring graveyards, aims to provide an “earthy Gothic feel.” Johnson candidly admitted that crafting this script proved to be an immense challenge, reportedly the hardest of his career.
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” is slated for release on Netflix on December 12, 2025. The film made its initial appearance at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, followed by a limited theatrical run beginning on November 26.
As with the previous films in the franchise, the cast is star-studded. Besides Craig, the ensemble includes Josh O’Connor as Jud, Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix, Josh Brolin as Monsignor Wicks, Mila Kunis as Geraldine Scott, Jeremy Renner as Nat Sharp, Kerry Washington as Vera Draven, Andrew Scott as Lee Ross, Cailee Spaeny as Simone Vivane, Daryl McCormack as Cy Draven, and Thomas Haden Church as Samson Holt.
The “Knives Out” franchise began with its acclaimed first installment, released in 2019. In that film, Blanc was called upon to investigate the mysterious death of wealthy novelist Harlan Thrombey, played by Christopher Plummer. As family tensions rise during the will reading, the film’s clever twists captivated audiences and critics alike, although it does not appear on Netflix currently.
The second film, “Knives Out: Glass Onion,” released in 2022, follows the detective as he joins a group of friends summoned to a private island for what is intended to be a playful murder mystery but devolves into something far more perilous. While this sequel is available on Netflix, the original remains on Prime Video.
As excitement builds for the latest entry in this genre-redefining series, “Wake Up Dead Man” not only seeks to entertain but also offers a fresh, eerie atmosphere for audiences hungry for a new mystery. With intelligent storytelling and a robust cast, fans of Benoit Blanc are in for an intriguing cinematic experience.
