Netflix has unveiled the third chapter in Rian Johnson’s acclaimed whodunit franchise, and this time, the mystery goes biblical. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery sees Daniel Craig reprising his role as the charismatic detective Benoit Blanc, joined by an all-star ensemble that turns faith, power, and sin into a deadly game.
The film’s plot centers on the shocking murder of a fire-and-brimstone preacher, played by Josh Brolin, whose death shakes a small religious community to its core. What follows is a labyrinthine investigation filled with secrets, betrayals, and moral reckoning — all unraveling under the sharp eye of Blanc.
A Star-Studded Cast and a Holy Setting
Joining Craig in this divine mystery are Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, and Thomas Haden Church, each playing characters connected to the church and the victim in mysterious ways.
Director Rian Johnson — who also helmed Knives Out (2019) and Glass Onion (2022) — once again crafts a richly layered world where nothing is as it seems. The third film reportedly explores themes of morality, fanaticism, and redemption while keeping the franchise’s trademark blend of humor and intrigue intact.
“This time out, the mystery gets ecclesiastical,” NPR critic Linda Holmes wrote, describing the film as “a divine mystery” that delves deeper into spiritual corruption and human frailty than its predecessors.
Returning to the Heart of the Franchise
The Knives Out films have become a modern staple of the mystery genre, each pairing Craig’s Southern-drawled sleuth with a fresh ensemble cast and a standalone story. While the first two installments skewered wealth and celebrity culture, Wake Up Dead Man takes aim at faith and hypocrisy, setting much of its story within the confines of a small-town church.
Craig’s Benoit Blanc — with his signature wit and eloquence — must navigate a web of deceit involving the church’s leadership, parishioners, and hidden financial motives.
A Netflix Success Story
Produced by Netflix as part of its two-film deal with Rian Johnson and T-Street Productions, Wake Up Dead Man continues the streamer’s investment in high-profile theatrical-quality releases. Following the success of Glass Onion, which briefly hit theaters before debuting online, the new installment has already generated major buzz for its darker tone and elevated stakes.
The film’s lush cinematography, captured by John Wilson, reportedly contrasts its idyllic setting with an undercurrent of dread — a visual metaphor for the secrets buried beneath the surface of holiness.
What’s Next for Benoit Blanc?
With Wake Up Dead Man, Johnson continues to expand his cinematic universe of lies and revelations, proving that the Knives Out formula is far from running out of steam. Early reactions from preview screenings describe the film as “sharper, funnier, and more profound” than its predecessors — with Craig’s performance once again anchoring the chaos in charm and intelligence.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is now streaming on Netflix.
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