It seems Ryan Johnson and Daniel Craig have found their cinematic happy place. After the critical success of Knives Out and the slightly divisive but still entertaining Glass Onion, the duo returns with Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
Released on Netflix on December 12th (after a brief theatrical run), this third installment sees Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) tackling a case steeped in religious symbolism, convoluted family secrets, and a whole lot of guilt. Our team at TheBigBois sat down to deduce the whodunnit, and we walked away thoroughly entertained.
A Murder in the Pews
The setup is classic Agatha Christie: a remote location, a tight-knit community with secrets, and a body that shouldn’t be dead. This time, the backdrop is a secluded church parish led by a charismatic but questionable priest (Josh Brolin) who was once a boxer. When he is tasked with reforming a fanatical congregation previously led by a corrupt clergyman, he finds himself smack in the middle of a murder investigation involving a missing fortune and a missing $80 million diamond.
The film takes its time introducing Benoit Blanc. For the first 20-30 minutes, we are stuck with a cast of characters that border on tedious—until Craig arrives with his southern drawl and injects a much-needed shot of charisma into the proceedings. Once Blanc is on the scene, the movie finds its rhythm, balancing humor with genuine mystery.
An Ensemble to Die For
As is tradition with this franchise, the cast is stacked.
- Josh Brolin shines as the rough-around-the-edges priest trying to navigate a hostile flock.
- Glenn Close is fantastic as the devout church lady who knows where all the bodies are buried—literally.
- Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis, Andrew Scott, and Thomas Haden Church round out the suspects, each playing a specific archetype of greed or desperation.
The chemistry works, even if the characters are often caricatures. The film leans heavily into religious themes, playing with concepts of resurrection (“Wake Up Dead Man”) and confession. It’s a bit heavy-handed at times—with shots that transition from darkness to light to symbolize enlightenment—but it fits Johnson’s aesthetic.
Twists Upon Twists
If you thought Glass Onion was convoluted, buckle up. Wake Up Dead Man delights in pulling the rug out from under the audience. Just when you think you’ve solved it, the film introduces a “demon head” subplot, a staged murder, and a hidden jewel inside a stomach. It requires a significant suspension of disbelief, but that’s part of the fun in this genre.
The central mystery involves a missing fortune from a corrupt priest who swallowed a diamond decades ago. The scramble to find it leads to backstabbing, poisoning, and an acid bath scene that tests the limits of physics (we’re still not sure how Glenn Close lifted Jeremy Renner into that tub).
Wake Up Dead Man is a return to form that arguably surpasses Glass Onion and stands toe-to-toe with the original Knives Out. It’s a stylish, engaging whodunnit that makes excellent use of its setting and cast. While the first act drags slightly before Blanc’s arrival, the payoff is worth it. It’s the perfect movie to watch with family during the holidays—assuming they don’t mind a little sacrilege with their popcorn.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Heavy-Handed Themes: The religious symbolism can be a bit on the nose and occasionally cringy. | Slow Start: The first 30 minutes without Blanc drag significantly; the supporting cast needs him to shine. |
| The Mystery: A convoluted but satisfying puzzle involving hidden diamonds, poisoned coffee, and fake deaths. | Leaps in Logic: Some plot points (such as the acid bath logistics or the “demon head” sewing) require a significant suspension of disbelief. |
| Ensemble Cast: Glenn Close and Josh Brolin deliver standout performances in a sea of talented actors. | Leaps in Logic: Some plot points (such as the acid bath logistics or the “demon head” sewing) require a major suspension of disbelief. |
| Aesthetic: The church setting provides a rich, gothic backdrop that separates it visually from the previous films. | Convoluted Twists: At times, there are almost too many twists, making it impossible to genuinely “solve” along with the detective. |
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery: Wake Up Dead Man proves that Benoit Blanc has plenty of cases left in him. With a sharper script than the previous sequel and a cast clearly having a ball, this is a top-tier mystery that keeps you guessing until the final confession. It balances campy fun with a genuinely intricate plot, making it one of Netflix's best original films in years. – Asmodeus
