The third movie in the popular Knives Out series, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, brings back Daniel Craig as detective Benoit Blanc for his most dangerous case yet. The film recently had its big premiere and is set to arrive on Netflix soon. Here’s all the key information about the new movie, including its release date, cast details, and first look.
Movie Premiere and Festival Appearances
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025. The film was also shown at the opening night of the London Film Festival in October 2025. These festival screenings gave audiences their first look at the new mystery, generating positive reactions from critics and fans.
The movie will be released in select theaters on November 26, 2025, before its global streaming debut on Netflix on December 12, 2025. This release strategy is similar to the previous film in the series, Glass Onion, which also had a limited theatrical run before coming to Netflix.
Story and Setting
In this new case, Benoit Blanc investigates a murder in a small town with a religious community. The story revolves around the death of a controversial priest named Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, played by Josh Brolin. The crime is described as a “classic, impossible crime” where the victim is killed in a sealed concrete box in front of many people.
Director Rian Johnson has said that this installment is darker and more gothic than the previous films, taking inspiration from mystery writers like Edgar Allan Poe and Agatha Christie. The setting allows for themes of faith, redemption, and community to be explored, while still keeping the clever twists and humor that fans love.
“I love everything about whodunnits, but one of the things I love most is how malleable the genre is,” Johnson said in a post on X. “There’s a whole tonal spectrum from Carr to Christie, and getting to explore that range is one of the most exciting things about making Benoit Blanc movies.”
Cast and Characters
Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc, the sharp detective with a southern accent. He is joined by a star-studded cast of suspects, including:
- Josh O’Connor as Jud Duplenticy, a young priest and former boxer who becomes a key figure in the case.
- Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix, a devoted church member.
- Josh Brolin as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, the charismatic priest whose murder sets the story in motion.
- Mila Kunis as Geraldine Scott, the local police chief who works with Blanc.
- Jeremy Renner as Dr. Nat Sharp, the town doctor.
- Kerry Washington as Vera Draven, a lawyer involved in the community.
- Andrew Scott as Lee Ross, a best-selling author.
- Cailee Spaeny as Simone Vivane, a musician with a nerve disorder.
- Daryl McCormack as Cy Draven, an aspiring politician.
- Thomas Haden Church as Samson Holt, the church groundskeeper.
This ensemble cast continues the series’ tradition of bringing together talented actors for a mysterious and engaging story.
Title Meaning and Inspiration
The title Wake Up Dead Man comes from a 1997 U2 song on their album Pop. Director Rian Johnson has mentioned that he first heard the phrase in American folk music and felt it was a good fit for the movie’s tone. Like the previous films in the series, which took their names from songs by Radiohead and The Beatles, this title adds a musical connection to the mystery.
Production Details
The film was written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Johnson and Ram Bergman through their company T-Street. It was filmed in London during the summer of 2024, with cinematography by Steve Yedlin and music by Nathan Johnson, both of whom worked on the previous films.
During filming, Glenn Close experienced health issues, including COVID-19 and RSV, which limited her participation in the first few days of shooting. However, production was completed on schedule, wrapping up in August 2024.
Early Reviews and Reactions
Early reviews from the Toronto International Film Festival have been very positive. Critics have called the film a return to form for the series, praising its darker tone, clever script, and strong performances. Many highlighted Josh O’Connor as a standout, with his role as the young priest adding both humor and depth to the story.
The movie is described as funnier and more playful than the previous installments, despite its gothic atmosphere. Reviews also note that Daniel Craig delivers one of his best performances as Benoit Blanc, with the character showing new layers in this mystery.
How to Watch
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will be available in select theaters starting November 26, 2025. It will begin streaming on Netflix on December 12, 2025. Viewers will need a Netflix subscription to watch it online.
An official teaser trailer was released in September 2025, giving fans a first look at the new mystery and the characters involved. The trailer highlights the impossible crime at the center of the story and introduces the key players in the investigation.
Series Background
The Knives Out series began with the first film in 2019, directed by Rian Johnson and starring Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc. The movie was a critical and commercial success, leading to a sequel, Glass Onion, in 2022. Both films are standalone mysteries, with Blanc solving a new case with a new cast of characters each time.
Netflix acquired the rights to two sequels in 2021 for $450 million, making Wake Up Dead Man the second film under this deal. The series is known for its all-star casts, clever writing, and modern take on classic whodunnit stories.
Also Read: Jeremy Renner Returns to Acting in Knives Out 3 After Snow Plow Accident
