The Knives Out franchise takes a bold new turn in its latest instalment, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, where master detective Benoit Blanc navigates not only a web of murder but also the deeper currents of faith, belief, and redemption.
Directed and written by Rian Johnson, the film premiered in select theatres on November 26, 2025, before arriving on Netflix on December 12, 2025. Daniel Craig reprises his role as the sharp-witted detective in the third chapter following Knives Out (2019) and Glass Onion (2022).
Unlike the sprawling estates and high-society intrigues of its predecessors, the story is set within a tight-knit church community, shaken by the mysterious death of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks. Blanc’s investigation entwines traditional whodunnit elements with ethical and theological questions, giving the film a reflective, almost meditative undertone that has sparked conversation about its spiritual themes.
Shot in visually striking locations standing in for upstate New York, including the neo-Gothic Holy Innocents Church in Essex, England, the film uses its settings to amplify suspense while lending an introspective air to the narrative. The ensemble cast — Josh O’Connor, Mila Kunis, Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Josh Brolin, and Craig — delivers a tapestry of characters whose secrets, ambitions, and beliefs collide in unexpected ways.
Rian Johnson has described the film as both a continuation of the beloved mystery series and a thematic evolution, examining how belief systems shape actions and identity. While fans can expect the signature twists and sharp humor of the franchise, the spiritual and moral undertones elevate Wake Up Dead Man into one of the series’ most ambitious and thought-provoking chapters.
Critics and audiences alike have praised the film for its layered storytelling, noting that it pushes the boundaries of the typical murder mystery by immersing viewers in questions of faith, doubt, and morality — proving that the Knives Out universe still holds plenty of surprises.
