From tropical islands in Greece to gothic mansions in New England, the “Knives Out” franchise is known for its complex murders and comedic cases. Now, in the third installment, the setting shifts to a historic church in upstate New York, where Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin) drops dead after delivering a dramatic sermon.
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” hit the theaters on Nov. 26, 2025, to the delight of many fans of the series. Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) returns to solve another seemingly impossible murder. This new mind-twisting case is a welcome addition to the beloved franchise of “Knives Out,” staying true to the admirable qualities of the last two films while still providing a unique twist.
Teaming up with Father Jud (Josh O’Connor), a new priest, Blanc investigates the church’s suspects, who range from a world-famous cello player to a failed science fiction author. Wicks’s history of manipulating the loyal members of his church means every character has a motive to kill him, complicating the case for the detective and local police. After mind-blowing plot twists and endless doubt, it is revealed that the case has a deeper, generational intent behind it, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
One of the movie’s most interesting and enticing aspects is its setting in a rural town and venerable church. While the original “Knives Out” had its inception in a creepy mansion, its sequel, “Glass Onion,” features a tropical island, so the spooky surroundings of the newest film are a pleasing return to the franchise’s roots.
Misty, dark and seemingly haunted woods of century-old trees surround the main church, making chase scenes extremely cinematic. The gravity of murder, which can sometimes feel lightened in movies, is heightened by the film’s bleak setting.
“Wake Up Dead Man” also excels at dramatic irony, a distinctive motif of the franchise. Notably, in a scene where Jud and Blanc argue in the foggy forest about who they believe the murderer is, in the background tiptoes none other than the murderer! Small details like these allow the film to feel lighthearted despite the circumstances.
Another core characteristic of the series that “Wake Up Dead Man” executes perfectly is its crazy, difficult mystery. It is never one-sided, and even when you think you’ve got it figured out, a twist is thrown your way. It’s a welcome improvement from its predecessor, “Glass Onion,” in which the culprit is immediately apparent to viewers.
While this movie does a great job sticking to what made the series originally stand out, it succumbs to an obnoxiously common trait of modern films. It is obvious when directors try to make their movies “relatable” to their Gen Z audience, and “Wake Up Dead Man” unfortunately takes that approach. The character Cy Draven (Daryl McCormack) fits the influencer stereotype to a T. He is never spotted without his large camera stabilizer and records his every interaction.
This attempt to appeal to the younger, tech-savvy generation falls astronomically flat. The character’s traits do not correlate to the plot whatsoever, other than when he replays key moments to the detectives, which easily could have been done through an alternative device, such as security camera footage. Draven serves only to take up space in the narrative. His obnoxious “influencer” personality annoys not only the characters who interact with him, but members of the audience, too.
Despite this exasperating character, O’Connor and Craig deliver fantastic performances in their respective roles. As Blanc, the only returning character, Craig was up to par, and his performance did not disappoint. He plays the detective perfectly and immerses the viewer in the investigation, incentivizing them to take a closer look at every minuscule detail and interaction throughout the film.
Similarly, O’Connor successfully portrays his character’s internal conflict. Jud is a retired boxer, now a priest, who was sent to work at Wicks’s church as punishment for punching a deacon at a previous church. He begins to notice the harsh ways Wicks is manipulating his regulars, and struggles to reconcile religious corruption with his personal values and morals.
Throughout the movie, we see Jud challenged in both his faith and his guilt, and O’Connor’s acting brings the conflict to life. He also offers comedic relief as he plays an awkward character just trying to fit into a foreign environment, and his first murder investigation.
Overall, “Wake Up Dead Man” delivers on all of its promises and is sure to leave fans of the franchise more than satisfied. The unique setting and complicated mystery make the film a must-watch for all mystery lovers, and the film’s complex personal battles and depth are perfect for those looking for a moving and thought-provoking piece of cinema.
