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Poster of the film Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

Thriller Mystery Comedy Drama English


When young priest Jud Duplenticy is sent to assist charismatic firebrand Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, it’s clear that all is not well in the pews. After a sudden and seemingly impossible murder rocks the town, the lack of an obvious suspect prompts local police chief Geraldine Scott to join forces with renowned detective Benoit Blanc to unravel a mystery that defies all logic.

Cast:Daniel Craig, Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, Thomas Haden Church
Director:Rian Johnson
Writer:Rian Johnson
Editor:Bob Ducsay
Camera:Steve Yedlin

All Guild Reviews of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

Plays Out Better as a Commentary on What Moves and Changes Humanity, Rather Than a Whodunnit.

Fox in morning light

Sucharita Tyagi | Independent Film Critic

Sat, December 13 2025

Image of scene from the film Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

Daniel Craig Film Is Rip-Roaringly Good Time

Fox in morning light

Shubhra Gupta | The Indian Express

Sat, December 13 2025

Rian Johnson goes full gothic, combining it with a closed door murder, and the result is wonderful, keeping you glued to the screen all the way through.

Benoit Blanc is back, and this time it’s with a proper bang, after last outing’s disappointing thud. Fancy yachts and self-obsessed billionaires made for a very dull sleuthing turn indeed. For this third go round, Johnson goes full gothic, combining it with a closed door murder, and the result is wonderful: I was glued to the screen all the way through. You wouldn’t really call Jud (Josh O’ Connor) a failed priest, but he’s done something in the past which he shouldn’t have , and now he has to atone for his sins by going off to a small parish in upstate New York run by the commanding monsignor Jefferson (Josh Brolin) who keeps his small flock tightly leashed, helped by the devout Martha (Glenn Close) who, like the others, seems to be in his thrall.

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