I just walked out of the theater and honestly, I'm still untangling the final act in my head. It's that classic Rian Johnson feeling—my brain is buzzing with all the twists, but my heart's a bit conflicted. I loved the sheer audacity of the central murder setup; it's one of those 'how on earth did they do that?' moments that will have people talking. But I also felt the runtime in my bones by the end. I'm sitting here with my coffee, replaying Daniel Craig's final monologue, trying to decide if it was brilliant or just a bit too pleased with itself.
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What's Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery About?
This is the third Benoit Blanc mystery, and this time he's called to a small, insular town where a priest is murdered in what appears to be a locked-room scenario. He teams up with the local police chief, played by Glenn Close, to navigate a community full of secrets, where everyone from a rebellious young priest to a wealthy patron seems to have a motive. It's a whodunit that plays with expectations and genre, mixing dark humor with genuine puzzle-box intrigue.
What Works in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
- ✓ Daniel Craig is having more fun than ever as Blanc. His Southern drawl is dialed up, and his chemistry with Glenn Close's no-nonsense chief is the movie's solid backbone.
- ✓ The central murder mechanism is genuinely clever. I won't spoil it, but the 'howdunit' is so inventive it made me gasp and then immediately want to rewind.
- ✓ Josh O'Connor is fantastic as the conflicted young priest, Jud. He brings a real, raw vulnerability that grounds the more outlandish plot elements.
- ✓ The production design is stunning. The main church setting feels like a character itself—gothic, shadowy, and full of hidden corners.
What Doesn't Work
- ✗ At 145 minutes, it drags in the middle. There's a 20-minute stretch focused on parish politics that really tested my patience.
- ✗ Some of the supporting characters, like Mila Kunis's wealthy donor, feel underwritten. She's more of a plot device than a person.
- ✗ The final explanation, while clever, is delivered in one massive, dense monologue. It felt like a lot of information to absorb all at once.
Standout Moments & Performances
Two moments are burned into my memory. First, the discovery of the body—the camera work is so deliberate and chilling, and the reveal of the 'impossible' crime made the entire audience go dead silent. I felt a real jolt. Second, a quieter scene where Blanc and Chief Scott (Close) share a drink in her office. It's not about the mystery; it's about two weary professionals finding a moment of understanding. Close delivers a line about 'the weight of small towns' with such quiet power it gave me chills. Lastly, there's a flashback sequence shown through stained glass shadows—it was visually breathtaking and emotionally jarring.
Main Cast: Daniel Craig, Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis
Direction, Music & Visuals
Rian Johnson's direction is, as always, precise and stylish. He loves playing with the camera, and there are some gorgeous, sweeping shots of the church that feel almost haunted. The score is more subdued than in previous films, using a lot of eerie choral music that fits the setting perfectly. Performance-wise, Craig and Close are the undeniable highlights, playing off each other beautifully. Josh Brolin, as the firebrand Monsignor, chews the scenery with gusto, though sometimes it borders on cartoonish. The cinematography is the real star—the use of light and shadow, especially in the confessionals, creates a moody, atmospheric tension that's perfect for a mystery.
Director: Rian Johnson
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Comedy
Who Should Watch Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery?
If you loved the intricate puzzles and witty dialogue of the first two Knives Out films, you'll find a lot to enjoy here. It's also perfect for fans of classic, logic-based locked-room mysteries who don't mind a modern, meta twist. Viewers who appreciate character actors doing great work in a lush, detailed setting will have a field day.
Who Might Want to Skip?
If you're impatient with slow-burn mysteries or get frustrated by convoluted plots, this might test your limits. It's less of a breezy, comedic romp than 'Glass Onion' and demands more attention to detail. Those looking for pure action or a straightforward thriller should look elsewhere.
Final Verdict
It's a very good, but not quite great, entry in the series. The puzzle is supremely satisfying to solve alongside Blanc, and the core performances are excellent. But it's overlong and the social commentary isn't as sharp or integrated as in 'Knives Out.' I'd definitely recommend it to mystery buffs for a night out—the central conceit is worth the price of admission alone. Would I watch it again? Probably once, to catch all the clues I missed. But it doesn't have the sheer rewatchable joy of the original for me.
