Wake Up Dead Man Review: 2025's Boldest Murder Mystery?
The Knives Out franchise returns with Wake Up Dead Man, now streaming on Netflix, and it arrives with the same level of hype that usually follows this series. A stacked cast, sharp writing, and Daniel Craig slipping back into the Benoit Blanc persona feel almost like tradition at this point.
This installment (Knives Out 3) leans hard into darker territory. Priests with god complexes, a resurrection subplot, and an apparently ironclad murder form the backbone of the story. The question is simple. Does it scratch that mystery solving itch, or does it get so clever that it forgets the plot? Let’s find out.
A Town, a Church, and a Dangerous Shepherd
The story begins with Josh O’Connor’s Father Jud Duplenticy, who is sent to a remote church run by the infamous Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, played by Josh Brolin. Monsignor is charismatic, radical, and deeply unsettling. He runs his church like a cult, feeding off the insecurities of his followers while presenting himself as a divine authority.
The church’s inner circle is made up of broken, dysfunctional people who are too afraid to question him. Each of them carries personal demons and has developed a disturbing dependence on Monsignor’s approval. He is the shepherd, and they are the herd, silent and obedient, terrified of public humiliation disguised as spiritual correction.
When Faith Turns Into Control
Like any sociopath, Monsignor values his followers only as tools. They exist to validate his power and to serve as an audience for his venomous sermons. Father Jud tries to intervene and help the people trapped under Monsignor’s influence, but that act alone makes him a target.
Jud is quickly branded as an enemy, an anti-Monsignor agitator. When Monsignor is later found murdered, Jud becomes the prime suspect. The crime itself appears impossible, which is exactly where Benoit Blanc enters the picture.
Benoit Blanc and the Art of Red Herrings
Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc, solving impossible crimes purely because it delights him. What follows is classic Knives Out tension. The film constantly convinces you that you are one step ahead, only to quietly prove you wrong.
The red herrings here are excellent. The movie gives you just enough confirmation to believe you have figured it out, then calmly pulls the rug out from under you. Until the final reveal, you are never completely certain, and that uncertainty is the film’s greatest strength.
A Cast That Understands the Assignment
As expected, the cast is stacked and nobody phones it in. From Jeremy Renner to Andrew Scott, Glenn Close to Kerry Washington, every actor delivers within their role. Even smaller parts played by Cailee Spaeny and Daryl McCormack leave an impression. Mila Kunis appears as a local cop, while Jeffrey Wright plays the bishop who sends Father Jud to the town. Everyone feels purposeful, never wasted. That said, three performances stand out.
Josh Brolin’s Monsignor is magnetic and terrifying. He embodies a villain fueled by ego and misplaced divinity. Every time he appears, you can feel the anger and helplessness simmering beneath Jud’s calm exterior.
The Duo We Didn't Know We Needed
The real magic, though, lies in the pairing of Josh O’Connor and Daniel Craig.
O’Connor plays Father Jud with sincerity and moral clarity, never slipping into caricature. Craig, meanwhile, brings back Benoit Blanc’s aloof charm and razor sharp intelligence. Together, they form an unexpectedly chaotic but effective duo.
Their chemistry works because it never feels forced. The humor flows naturally, bouncing between them without overpowering the mystery. If you ever missed a Sherlock style dynamic where Watson is framed for murder, this scratches that itch, even though the characters and deductions are entirely different.
Visuals That Elevate the Mystery
The cinematography deserves special mention. The use of light, shadow, and natural landscapes gives the film a weight that makes it feel grander than a standard whodunnit. There are moments where it genuinely feels like you are watching a modern mystery epic.
Minor Flaws, If You’re Being Picky
If I had to nitpick, the film feels about fifteen minutes longer than it needs to be. That said, this is a murder mystery, and red herrings require breathing room. This criticism feels more like over analysis than a real flaw.
Final Verdict: Probably The Best Murder Mystery Of 2025
I’m giving Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery 4.5 out of 5 stars. The film excels at hiding the who for a long time and the why for even longer. The twists feel earned, the motivations make sense, and the side characters are given just enough depth to justify their actions. Daniel Craig and Josh O’Connor bring their absolute A-game.
Rating:
At this point, I’ll happily echo the popular internet sentiment. Rian Johnson should keep making Daniel Craig put on the Benoit Blanc persona for as long as these films exist. We will keep watching.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is now streaming on Netflix. For more reviews and breakdowns like this, explore the rest of The Watchlist Diaries.
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