Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

When young priest Jud Duplenticy arrives to assist the charismatic Monsignor Jefferson Wicks at a tight-knit parish, he expects pastoral routine, not scandal. The town's surface faith hides rivalries and resentments, and when an apparently impossible murder shocks the community, local police chief Geraldine Scott teams up with famed detective Benoit Blanc to sort fact from fiction. Clues point in strange directions, alibis fracture, and everyone's loyalties are questioned as the investigation winds through sermons, secret meetings, and the parish's underbelly. The film balances tense investigative work with dark humor, letting characters reveal their contradictions while the central puzzle keeps attention on who had motive, means, and opportunity. Performances give the dialogue a sharp edge and the pacing stays brisk.

Wake Up Dead Man premiered in 2025, written and directed by Rian Johnson. Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc, joined by Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, and Mila Kunis in a fresh original mystery and a welcome whodunit return.

The film opened widely and drew strong audience interest, reinforcing the Knives Out franchise as a reliable theatrical draw. Exact grosses varied by market, but early reports highlighted solid attendance across multiple territories. The streaming deal also kept attention high.

Fans and critics noted how the movie refreshed Benoit Blanc's persona while using satire of parish life to sharpen its mystery, prompting online debate and speculation. Scenes and character moments have already become fodder for conversation among genre enthusiasts. Cosplay and fan art appeared quickly, fueling ongoing online discussion worldwide.

Critical response leaned positive, with a vote average near 7.2 out of 10 from audience ratings, praising the ensemble performances and the balance of humor and suspense. Themes of faith, authority, and hidden motivations give the mystery moral texture without resorting to sermonizing. While not flawless, many still enjoyed it.