A standalone sequel to 2022’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, arrives for a limited theatrical run on November 26, 2025, before streaming exclusively on Netflix starting December 12, 2025.
Written and directed by Rian Johnson, this Mystery Thriller marks the third installment in the Knives Out series, once again following the ever-curious Detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig (Casino Royale 2006, No Time to Die, 2021), as he untangles a fresh web of deceit. This time, a monsignor’s suspicious death sets off a chain of interrogations filled with secrets, lies, and eccentric suspects—brought to life by a star-studded cast including Josh O’Connor (God’s Own Country 2017, A History of Sound 2025), Josh Brolin (Goonies 1985, Deadpool 2 2018), Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction 1987, 101 Dalmatians 1996), Kerry Washington (Scandal series, The Six Triple Eight 2024), Mila Kunis (That ’70s Show series, Ted 2012), and more. With that in mind, Wake Up Dead Man leans into a darker tone —both visually and narratively —than Glass Onion, trading sun-soaked satire for shadowy religious intrigue, while retaining the quirky charm and razor-sharp character work that define Johnson’s modern whodunit universe.
Wake Up Dead Man trades the lavish estates and tropical getaways of the previous installment for something far more haunting—a small, island town centered around a lonely, timeworn church where secrets seem to linger in every shadow. The film’s gothic atmosphere is as much a character as any of its eccentric suspects, with candlelit corridors, creaking pews, and thick forest steeping the mystery in unease. Johnson crafts the setting with a painter’s eye for texture and mood, using the church’s isolation to heighten both tension and introspection.
The result is a story that feels claustrophobic yet intimate, allowing the audience to lose themselves in the eerie stillness of the town. At the same time, the characters slowly reveal their flaws, motives, and guilt. It is a deft balance of setting and character development, where every corner of the screen deepens the intrigue and every conversation feels haunted by the past.
The film’s ensemble bursts onto the screen with quirky, memorable introductions that immediately pull the audience into its web of suspicion. Each suspect is drawn with just enough depth to intrigue the audience and make them want to know more. As the investigation unfolds, the film lets these oddball personalities clash and overlap in unexpected ways, turning even the most mundane exchanges into sharp bursts of Dark Comedy. Their quirks and contradictions add levity to the tension, reminding the audience that Johnson’s mysteries are as much about human absurdity as they are about murder. It is a clever blend of wit and suspense, where laughter often slips in at the edge of unease and every character feels like both a potential culprit and a satirical mirror of the world they inhabit.
O’Connor’s Jud and Craig’s Benoit Blanc share an irresistible, scene-stealing chemistry that becomes the beating heart of Wake Up Dead Man. O’Connor brings unexpected charm to Jud, a character who seems equal parts earnest and evasive. While Craig once again revels in Blanc’s eccentric brilliance and genteel Southern drawl. Together, they strike a perfect comedic rhythm, their exchanges laced with sharp wit and barely contained amusement.
Whether sparring over what move to make next or discussing their opposing religious viewpoints, their dynamic crackles with charm and humor, grounding the film’s darker tone with moments of genuine levity. It is a partnership that feels both fresh and timeless, capturing the spark of classic detective duos while adding Johnson’s signature twist of modern irony.
At 2 hours and 24 minutes, the film occasionally lingers longer than necessary, with a few stretches where the momentum dips between revelations. Still, the sharp writing, layered performances, and stylish direction keep the film engaging from start to finish. Even with its pacing hiccups, the journey is so entertaining, and the mystery so cleverly constructed, that you hardly mind the extra time spent in Benoit Blanc’s world.
Overall, Wake Up Dead Man surpasses Glass Onion in both storytelling and character development, offering a more engaging and emotionally resonant experience. While Glass Onion leaned heavily into modern satire and celebrity culture, Wake Up Dead Man returns to the roots of classic whodunits, delivering a tightly woven mystery. The film’s introspective tone and exploration of themes like faith and morality provide a deeper narrative, complemented by a stellar ensemble cast.
For both longtime fans and newcomers, it is a film that invites multiple viewings, where the pleasure lies not just in unraveling the mystery, but in savoring the witty dialogue, clever details, and quirky character interactions that reward each return to Benoit Blanc’s world. This is why Cryptic Rock gives Wake Up Dead Man 4 out of 5 stars.
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