‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ Review: Should You Watch It Now on Netflix?

Few modern film franchises have mastered the art of the whodunnit quite like Knives Out. With its razor-sharp writing, magnetic ensemble casts, and a detective who feels like a long-lost literary cousin to Hercule Poirot and Columbo, Rian Johnson’s mystery series has become a cultural touchstone. The latest entry, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, arrives on Netflix after a limited theatrical run, promising another round of devilishly clever plotting, biting social commentary, and performances that linger long after the credits roll.

But does it live up to the hype? Is this the kind of mystery that keeps you guessing until the final reveal, or does it stumble under the weight of its own ambition? More importantly—should you clear your evening, grab some popcorn, and press play? Let’s break it down.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) is the third installment in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out franchise, following the original Knives Out (2019) and Glass Onion (2022). This time, the action shifts from a snowbound mansion and a billionaire’s private island to the cloistered, fire-and-brimstone world of an upstate New York parish. At the center of the storm is Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), a volatile, charismatic religious leader whose grip on his flock is as tight as it is terrifying. When a seemingly impossible murder occurs within the church’s walls, the local police chief (Mila Kunis) calls in the one man who might make sense of it all: master detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig).

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it won second place for the People’s Choice Award—a strong indicator of its crowd-pleasing appeal. Like its predecessors, Wake Up Dead Man blends dark humor, gothic atmosphere, and a locked-room mystery inspired by the works of Agatha Christie, Edgar Allan Poe, and John Dickson Carr. But this time, Johnson digs deeper into themes of faith, corruption, and the cult of personality, all while delivering some of the franchise’s biggest laughs yet.

At its core, Wake Up Dead Man is a locked-room mystery—one of the most challenging subgenres to pull off. The setup is deceptively simple: a murder occurs in a sealed environment (in this case, a church rectory), with no obvious way in or out. The victim? A controversial figure whose death sends shockwaves through the community. The suspects? A rogue’s gallery of priests, parishioners, and power players, each with their own secrets to hide.

Johnson’s script is a masterclass in misdirection. Early on, the film establishes a gothic, almost horror-adjacent tone, with Brolin’s Monsignor Wicks delivering fire-and-brimstone sermons that feel like they could curdle milk. The tension between Wicks and the young, idealistic Reverend Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor) crackles with subtext—are they allies, rivals, or something more sinister? The first act does an excellent job of making the audience feel the weight of the church’s oppressive atmosphere, only to pivot into the kind of rapid-fire banter and escalating absurdity that Knives Out fans know and love.

One of the biggest challenges for any mystery film is balancing suspense with humor. Too much levity, and the stakes feel nonexistent; too little, and the film risks becoming a slog. Wake Up Dead Man walks this tightrope with impressive agility. The first half is deliberately slow-burn, allowing the audience to soak in the setting and the characters’ dynamics. But once Blanc arrives, the film shifts into high gear, with Johnson’s signature whip-smart dialogue and escalating chaos.

That said, the middle act does suffer from a slight lull. The investigation meanders in places, particularly during a subplot involving a shady real estate deal that feels underdeveloped. It’s not enough to derail the film, but it does make the runtime (just under two and a half hours) feel a tad indulgent. The payoff, however, is worth the wait. The final act is a masterstroke of misdirection, with a reveal that’s both satisfying and thematically resonant.

Beyond its surface-level mystery, Wake Up Dead Man is a sharp critique of organized religion and the dangers of unchecked charisma. Monsignor Wicks isn’t just a villain—he’s a dark mirror of modern cult leaders, a man who weaponizes faith to control and manipulate. Brolin’s performance is so magnetic that it’s easy to see why his followers would blindly trust him, even as his actions grow increasingly unhinged.

The film also explores the idea of legacy—what we leave behind, and how we’re remembered. Blanc, in particular, seems to be grappling with his own mortality in this installment, adding a layer of existential dread to his usual flamboyant detective work. It’s a theme that elevates Wake Up Dead Man beyond a simple whodunnit, making it one of the more thematically rich entries in the franchise.

Daniel Craig has always been the secret weapon of the Knives Out franchise, but in Wake Up Dead Man, he delivers his most layered and entertaining performance yet. Blanc has always been a chameleon—equal parts Southern gentleman, theatrical showman, and razor-sharp detective—but here, he’s given room to stretch. Craig’s Blanc is more introspective, more aware of his own flaws, and, at times, almost melancholic. Yet, he never loses his signature charm or his ability to deliver a line with perfect comedic timing.

One of the film’s standout scenes comes when Blanc, mid-investigation, launches into a monologue about the nature of truth and perception. It’s a moment that could have felt pretentious in lesser hands, but Craig sells it with such conviction that it becomes the emotional core of the film. If this is the last we see of Blanc (and Johnson has hinted that it might be), it’s a hell of a send-off.

If Craig is the heart of Wake Up Dead Man, then Josh Brolin is its soul—dark, twisted, and utterly mesmerizing. As Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, Brolin delivers a performance that’s equal parts terrifying and hilarious. He’s a man who believes his own hype, a religious leader who’s as likely to quote scripture as he is to throw a punch. Brolin’s physicality is a huge part of the role—watch the way he commands a room, the way his eyes narrow when he’s about to deliver a cutting remark. It’s a masterclass in playing a villain who’s just as entertaining as he is dangerous.

The chemistry between Brolin and Josh O’Connor (as Reverend Jud Duplenticy) is electric. Their scenes together crackle with tension, whether they’re trading barbs or locked in a battle of wills. O’Connor, who’s quickly becoming one of the most exciting young actors in Hollywood, holds his own against Brolin’s larger-than-life presence. His performance is quieter, more introspective, but no less compelling.

The rest of the cast is stacked with talent, each bringing something unique to the table:

• Mila Kunis as Police Chief Geraldine Scott: Kunis plays the straight woman to Blanc’s eccentricities, but she’s far from a one-note character. Her Scott is tough, no-nonsense, and just as sharp as Blanc—even if she doesn’t have his flair for the dramatic.
• Glenn Close as Sister Margaret: Close brings gravitas and warmth to her role as a nun with a hidden past. Her scenes with O’Connor are some of the film’s most emotionally resonant.
• Angela Bassett in a cameo as a high-powered attorney: Bassett’s screen time is limited, but she makes every second count, delivering a performance that’s equal parts intimidating and hilarious.
• Lakeith Stanfield as a skeptical journalist: Stanfield’s dry wit and effortless cool make him the perfect foil to Blanc’s theatrics.

Rian Johnson has a distinct visual and narrative style—one that blends classic Hollywood whodunnits with modern, self-aware humor. Wake Up Dead Man is no exception. The film’s cinematography, courtesy of Steve Yedlin (who also shot the previous Knives Out films), is lush and atmospheric, with a color palette that shifts from the warm, golden hues of the church’s interior to the cold, sterile blues of the police station.

Johnson’s direction is tight and precise, with a keen eye for framing and composition. The locked-room mystery is shot in a way that makes the audience feel like they’re part of the investigation, with clues hidden in plain sight. The film’s pacing, while occasionally uneven, is generally well-judged, with Johnson knowing exactly when to ratchet up the tension and when to let the humor breathe.

One of the most striking aspects of Wake Up Dead Man is its gothic horror aesthetic. The church setting is dripping with atmosphere, from the flickering candlelight to the eerie stained-glass windows. Johnson leans into the horror elements in the first act, with Brolin’s Monsignor Wicks delivering sermons that feel like they could double as exorcism rites. The film’s score, composed by Nathan Johnson (Rian’s cousin), enhances the gothic vibe with its haunting, organ-heavy themes.

That said, the horror elements don’t overstay their welcome. By the time Blanc arrives, the film shifts into its more familiar comedic groove, with the gothic atmosphere serving as a backdrop rather than the main focus. It’s a delicate balance, but Johnson pulls it off with aplomb.

✅ Josh Brolin’s Performance: Brolin is a force of nature in this film, delivering a performance that’s equal parts terrifying and hilarious. He steals every scene he’s in.

✅ Daniel Craig’s Best Blanc Yet: Craig’s Benoit Blanc is more introspective and layered than ever, making this the most emotionally resonant entry in the franchise.

✅ Sharp, Witty Writing: Johnson’s script is packed with clever dialogue, escalating absurdity, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end.

✅ Gothic Atmosphere: The church setting is dripping with atmosphere, and the film’s horror-adjacent tone adds a fresh layer to the franchise.

✅ Strong Supporting Cast: From Mila Kunis to Glenn Close, the supporting cast is stacked with talent, each bringing something unique to the table.

❌ Pacing Issues in the Middle Act: The investigation meanders in places, particularly during a subplot involving a real estate deal that feels underdeveloped.

❌ Some Underutilized Characters: While the main cast shines, a few supporting characters (like Angela Bassett’s attorney) feel like they could have been given more to do.

❌ Runtime Feels Slightly Indulgent: At just under two and a half hours, the film could have benefited from some tighter editing.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is a must-watch for:

✔ Fans of the Knives Out Franchise: If you loved the first two films, this one delivers more of the same—sharp writing, brilliant performances, and a mystery that keeps you guessing.

✔ Mystery Lovers: If you enjoy classic whodunnits with a modern twist, this film is a masterclass in misdirection and suspense.

✔ Josh Brolin Fans: Brolin’s performance is one of the best of his career, and it’s worth watching for that alone.

✔ Daniel Craig Fans: Craig’s Benoit Blanc is at his best here, with more depth and emotional resonance than ever before.

✔ Gothic Horror Enthusiasts: The film’s church setting and horror-adjacent tone make it a great pick for fans of atmospheric, eerie storytelling.

✔ Anyone Who Loves Sharp, Witty Dialogue: Johnson’s script is packed with clever one-liners and rapid-fire banter that will leave you laughing out loud.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is a triumph—a film that honors the legacy of the Knives Out franchise while carving out its own identity. It’s darker, more introspective, and more thematically ambitious than its predecessors, but it never loses sight of what makes these films so enjoyable: sharp writing, brilliant performances, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Josh Brolin’s Monsignor Wicks is a villain for the ages, and Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc has never been better. The supporting cast is stacked with talent, and Rian Johnson’s direction is as precise and inventive as ever. While the middle act does suffer from some pacing issues, the payoff is more than worth the wait.

If you’re a fan of the franchise, this is a must-watch. If you’re new to Knives Out, it’s a great entry point—though you might want to start with the first film to fully appreciate Blanc’s evolution. Either way, Wake Up Dead Man is a mystery that demands to be solved.

Final Rating: 9/10

While Wake Up Dead Man can be enjoyed as a standalone mystery, it’s best appreciated if you’ve seen the previous films. Benoit Blanc’s character evolves throughout the franchise, and there are subtle callbacks and references that longtime fans will appreciate.

Wake Up Dead Man is darker and more thematically ambitious than Glass Onion, which leaned heavily into satire and social commentary. That said, both films share the same sharp writing, brilliant performances, and clever mysteries that define the franchise.

The film has a gothic horror aesthetic, particularly in its first act, but it’s not a horror movie. The tone is more eerie and atmospheric than outright scary, and the horror elements serve to enhance the mystery rather than dominate it.

Rian Johnson has hinted that Wake Up Dead Man might be the last Knives Out film, but he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of returning to the franchise in the future. For now, Blanc’s story feels complete, but Johnson has a habit of surprising his audience.

If you have the chance to see Wake Up Dead Man in theaters, do it. The Knives Out films are designed to be experienced with an audience, and the reactions, laughter, and gasps of surprise make the viewing experience even more enjoyable.

Since the film is a Netflix original, it’s available in 4K HDR with Dolby Atmos sound. For the best experience, watch it on a large screen with a good sound system. If you’re watching on a smaller device, make sure you’re in a quiet, distraction-free environment to fully appreciate the film’s intricate plotting and dialogue.

Without a doubt, Josh Brolin’s Monsignor Jefferson Wicks. Brolin delivers a performance that’s equal parts terrifying and hilarious, stealing every scene he’s in. It’s one of the best villain performances in recent memory.

No, Wake Up Dead Man does not have a post-credits scene. Once the credits roll, the story is complete.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is a triumph—a film that honors the legacy of the franchise while pushing it in bold new directions. It’s darker, funnier, and more thematically ambitious than its predecessors, with performances that rank among the best of the year. While it’s not without its flaws (a slightly indulgent runtime, some underdeveloped subplots), the payoff is more than worth the journey.

If you’re a fan of clever mysteries, sharp writing, and powerhouse performances, this is a must-watch. And if you’re new to the Knives Out franchise, Wake Up Dead Man is a great place to start—though you might want to go back and watch the first two films afterward.

So, should you watch it now on Netflix? Absolutely. Clear your schedule, grab some snacks, and prepare to be dazzled. Benoit Blanc is back, and he’s better than ever.