Daniel Craig steps back into the spotlight as the sharp and stylish detective Benoit Blanc in the upcoming mystery film Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. The third chapter of Rian Johnson’s acclaimed franchise transports viewers to a secluded community in upstate New York, where a haunting new puzzle challenges Blanc like never before.
After a brief two-week theatrical run beginning November 26, 2025, the film is set for a global digital premiere on Netflix on December 12, 2025. Fans who missed the limited cinema screening will soon be able to dive into the next gripping adventure from the comfort of their homes.
The story unfolds when Monsignor Jefferson Wicks—portrayed by Josh Brolin—is discovered dead inside a small locked room of a local Catholic church during Easter service. The circumstances appear impossible, pushing Blanc into his most baffling case yet. As he digs into the mystery, he teams up with Father Jud, played by Josh O’Connor, a young priest determined to confront his troubled past.
The investigation leads them into the lives of a tight group of townspeople, each harboring their own secrets. Among the key figures are Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close), a fiercely loyal assistant; Dr. Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), the town’s well-known physician; Vera Draven (Kerry Washington), a meticulous attorney; Lee Ross (Andrew Scott), a once-celebrated author; Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny), a retired cellist; Cy Draven (Daryl McCormack), an ambitious political hopeful; and Samson Holt (Thomas Haden Church), the observant groundskeeper. As motives and relationships unravel, Blanc must decipher the tangled web connecting them all.
The ensemble cast brings together big Hollywood names including Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, and Thomas Haden Church—promising performances that elevate the film’s suspense and emotional depth.
Ahead of its Netflix debut, Wake Up Dead Man has already drawn significant praise from critics. The mystery has earned a “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, signaling strong early acclaim for its storytelling, performances, and gripping twists that keep audiences guessing to the final frame.