Not to start on a sour note but I have to say, I was really, really upset I had to watch this movie at home. Not just because a movie theater is always my viewing preference, but also specifically in the case of Knives Out movies I know it makes a difference. I was able to catch the previous film in the franchise, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, in its limited theatrical run and really liked the movie. But everyone I knew who watched it at home on Netflix did not have such positive reactions. These movies are made for cinemas. But due to the Thanksgiving theatrical release date and limited window, I wasn’t able to make it work this time. It made me really nervous for how I was going to receive the movie. The Knives Out franchise comes from writer-director Rian Johnson. The first film back in 2019 was made independently and sold after completion. When that saw success, Johnson and his producing partner Ram Bergman, signed a two-picture sequel deal with Netflix, giving us Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery in 2022 and now Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery in 2025. The newest installment moves away from the glitzy excess of Glass Onion and back to the cozier vibe of the first film. The upstate New York, small town church set film employs a gloomier palette to explore much deeper themes, making this third mystery the least fun but most thoughtful and contemplative entry into the franchise.

Josh O’Connor stars as Reverend Jud Duplenticy, a young priest from Albany who’s assigned to a small parish in the fictional Chimney Rock, upstate New York. The church is led by Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), an angry man who preaches venom and aggression and resents his new assistant as a challenge to his authority. It’s not subtle that Wicks is a stand-in for a certain current political leader who spreads fear and hate while consolidating power. Also like this figure, Wicks has his own cult following of true believers in the parish: Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close), a devout believer who has worked at Our Lady of Perpetual Grace since she was a child; Samson Holt (Thomas Haden Church), longtime groundskeeper at the church who is in love with Martha; Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), the town doctor whose wife and kids left him; Lee Ross (Andrew Scott), a bestselling sci-fi writer in a fallow period; Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny), an accomplished cellist whose career ended when a chronic nerve condition put her in a wheelchair; Vera Draven (Kerry Washington), a successful attorney who had to raise her father’s illegitimate son; and Cy Draven (Daryl McCormack), aforementioned illegitimate son, now a grown-up and failed conservative politician who is constantly recording videos for YouTube. Mila Kunis is also here as local police chief Geraldine Scott. When Wicks winds up dead in an “impossible crime”, Reverend Jud teams up with our favorite investigator, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), to solve the murder.

Emily St. James on Letterboxd wrote, “Knives Out is a better mystery; [Wake Up Dead Man] is a better movie.” I think that’s the best way to describe the distinction in these films. Wake Up Dead Man still has some lightness and humor, but it’s a lot more interested in asking deeper questions than its predecessors. The church setting opens the door for explorations of faith. Do you need to have feelings towards spirituality or religion to connect with the film or can anyone find interest in the questions it’s asking? Personally, I lean towards the latter, but I guess each viewer’s mileage will vary. Rationality vs. faith, love vs. hate, sin, guilt, greed, God… there’s a lot to think about in this film. And more time spent on contemplating these ideas means less time spent on the mystery at hand. While the configurations of the murder-mystery element of the story do suffer, ending up being a little more straightforward and a little less twisty than we may be looking for in a Knives Out story, I actually didn’t mind so much because the film was so strongly bolstered by sincere interrogations of faith without judgment and genuine heart. One scene in which Reverend Jud makes a phone call to Bridget Everett’s Louise, a construction company employee who may have information relevant to the case, is the perfect encapsulation of everything the movie has to offer. The call begins as a funny gag where Louise won’t stop talking while Jud, with Benoit in the background, tries to rush her off the phone. But then Louise starts to break down and confess to Jud that her mother is sick and it’s been really hard on her. She asks for his prayers and guidance. For the first time since he got to Chimney Rock, Jud is actually able to do his job and help people the way he wants to. To fulfill his purpose. We see the profound effect it has on him. It could be the most touching, grounded scene in a franchise that often leans towards the zany.

In the Knives Out universe typically populated with over-the-top characters, Josh O’Connor makes Jud our anchor. He brings gravitas while still maintaining a smiley, slightly goofy disposition. When the film becomes almost a buddy cop movie between Jud and Benoit, the chemistry between O’Connor and Daniel Craig’s detective strikes the perfect balance. Craig also delivers a slightly more soulful performance than in past films, but it was O’Connor who captivated me most. I just loved absolutely everything he was doing. He is so fantastic in this movie. He’s fantastic in everything he does really. I forgot he broke out in The Crown, a performance I loved to hate, and seeing him in this made me want to rewatch Challengers, a performance I loved to hate in an entirely different way. But even just this year alone he’s starred in Max Walker-Silverman’s Rebuilding, Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind, and Oliver Hermanus’ The History of Sound. Next year, he has one of his biggest roles to date in Steven Spielberg’s new blockbuster Disclosure Day. Josh is definitely an up-and-coming star to watch, constantly proving his versatility and reliability. A hallmark of the Knives Out franchise has always been a starry ensemble cast. Wake Up Dead Man is no different, however it does feel like the supporting cast has much less to do than in past installments. They mostly take a backseat to Benoit and Jud’s Sherlock and Watson routine. I wouldn’t wish for less of our starring duo, but this cast does have a ton of unrealized potential, despite a few miscastings in Andrew Scott and Mila Kunis.

The first thing I noticed about this movie was the lighting. It is masterful. Not only is every frame gorgeous and rich, but the lighting actually changes noticeably, mid-scene and mid-shot sometimes, to reflect the changing story and moods. The shifts are very theatrical, adding to the slightly campy, heightened aesthetic these movies take on. The composition of each frame is also curated to give you clues if you’re paying enough attention. The perfect design for a good mystery. Overall, cinematographer Steve Yedlin creates an excellent gothic, moody tone fit for this story. 

I think Wake Up Dead Man would have been a great Halloween release. The murder-mystery, the creepy church vibes, it lends itself well to spooky season. However, I was still happy to get it now. As a movie, I found it thought-provoking, amusing, and intriguing. As a Knives Out mystery, I’m not as high on it. That being said, I do hope they keep making these. Like a murder-mystery/detective novel series, the potential cases for Benoit Blanc to solve are endless. And I would watch every one. Wake Up Dead Man was the final installment in Rian Johnson’s deal with Netflix but the rights remain with him. Currently, he says the future of the franchise is still up in the air and Johnson is involved in other projects. But I’m holding out hope this isn’t the last we’ll see of Benoit Blanc. If you’re a Knives Out fan, I would definitely watch Wake Up Dead Man, but maybe proceed with some caution. If you’re just looking for a good movie, you can’t go wrong with this one.

2025 Count: 83 movies, 52 seasons of television, 5 specials