Rian Johnson’s third entry in the Knives Out saga steps into its most intense and emotionally charged territory yet. Unlike the witty tone of the earlier films, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery delivers a deeper exploration of belief, doubt, and personal turmoil. Johnson shared that he infused the script with his own long-standing inner conflict with faith, making this instalment the most personal story he has ever told within the franchise.
Set to premiere on Netflix on December 12, the story follows Daniel Craig’s detective Benoit Blanc as he investigates the mysterious death of a priest in a small Catholic town. Josh Brolin takes on the role of the victim, while Josh O’Connor portrays a young priest who quickly becomes the central figure in the unfolding mystery.
At a New York screening, Johnson revealed that the idea for this film started after a conversation with Craig. They wanted the third chapter to feel more grounded, intimate, and meaningful than Glass Onion. Johnson explained that his choice to explore religion came from his upbringing. He shared that he was raised Christian but no longer identifies as a believer, describing his feelings toward his past as layered and emotionally complex.
The director confessed that writing this script took a heavy emotional toll. He described the process as being in a “dark place,” attempting to channel his conflicting thoughts on faith into the characters and narrative. For Johnson, the challenge was not only to tell a compelling mystery but also to portray the many sides of his own internal debate.
Daniel Craig also helped shape the thematic direction of the film. He encouraged Johnson to intensify the philosophical tension between Blanc and the young priest, believing that the narrative would gain strength if both perspectives—skepticism and belief—were presented with equal conviction. According to Craig, this created some of the film’s most memorable emotional moments and added a unique character arc not seen in the earlier movies.
Early reactions on Rotten Tomatoes highlight the film’s boldness, praising its blend of mystery, emotional honesty, and thoughtful engagement with questions of faith. With its mature themes and powerful performances, Wake Up Dead Man brings a fresh depth to the Knives Out universe as it prepares for its global Netflix release on December 12.