Rian Johnson’s series of murder mystery movies with detective Benoit Blanc has become a major hit. With three films now complete, fans and critics are looking at the full story. The clear winner in most rankings is the first movie, Knives Out from 2019. It set a standard for smart writing and character depth that the later films, while strong, have not quite matched.
The trilogy features Daniel Craig as the charming detective Benoit Blanc. Each film brings him a new mystery with a completely new set of suspects. The first film introduced audiences to the formula. The sequel, Glass Onion, aimed for bigger comedy and social satire. The third and most recent film, Wake Up Dead Man, takes a darker, more serious turn with a religious setting. While all are quality entertainment, the original is consistently praised as the most balanced, clever, and satisfying of the three.
The Rankings: From Third Place to First
Looking at the three Benoit Blanc mysteries together, a common order emerges from fan discussions and reviews. Most agree that the series started at its peak.
3. ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ (2022)
The second film in the series takes Benoit Blanc to a private Greek island owned by a tech billionaire, Miles Bron. The movie is known for its loud, colorful style and its focus on mocking the ultra-rich and famous. It features a star-studded cast including Edward Norton, Janelle Monรกe, and Kate Hudson.
โIt felt like Rian Johnson leaned a bit too hard into comedy this time, sometimes at the cost of tension,โ notes one ranking, suggesting the filmโs characters are so cartoonishly unlikable that the mysteryโs stakes feel lower.
While praised for its bold choice and hilarious moments, Glass Onion is often seen as the weakest link. Critics point out that its plot relies on a central gimmick that, once revealed, makes the rest of the story feel less surprising. The balance between humor and genuine suspense, which worked so well in the first film, is tipped heavily toward comedy here.
2. ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ (2025)
The newest entry, set in a small, troubled church, is seen as a strong but different sequel. It ranks in the middle for many viewers. Director Rian Johnson chose a darker, more serious tone this time, exploring themes of faith, community, and redemption. The film stars Josh O’Connor as a priest and features Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, and Jeremy Renner.
The movie is a classic โlocked-roomโ mystery, where a murder seems impossible to have committed. It earns respect for its ambitious themes and standout performance by Josh O’Connor. However, some feel the slower pace and familiar mystery structure keep it from surpassing the original. Benoit Blanc also enters the story later than in previous films, and his characteristic playful energy is somewhat muted by the grim setting.
1. ‘Knives Out’ (2019)
The film that started it all remains the champion. From its autumn-color palette to its brilliantly constructed plot, Knives Out is considered a modern classic in the mystery genre. It features an iconic ensemble cast including Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, and the late Christopher Plummer.
The story revolves around the death of famous crime novelist Harlan Thrombey and the warring family members desperate for his inheritance. What sets this film apart is its masterful screenplay. It bravely reveals key information early on, forcing the audience to constantly re-evaluate everything they think they know.
The movie โboldly reveals major information early on, then keeps twisting the story in unexpected ways,โ one review states. โInstead of dragging out the mystery, it deepens it.โ
This narrative boldness earned Rian Johnson an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The film perfectly balances laugh-out-loud comedy with genuine tension and emotional heart, largely thanks to Ana de Armas’s performance as the kind-hearted nurse Marta. Daniel Craigโs introduction as Benoit Blancโwith his Southern accent and quirky personalityโwas a fresh and instantly iconic take on the detective figure.
What Makes the Original Film Special?
The first Knives Out succeeded by doing several things perfectly, creating a formula that is hard to repeat.
- A Perfect Balance of Tone: The movie is funny but never silly. The suspense feels real, and you care about the characters. This balance is something fans felt was lost in the more exaggerated Glass Onion and the gloomier Wake Up Dead Man.
- A Truly Surprising Script: Johnsonโs script plays by mystery rules but also breaks them in clever ways. The early twist forces the story to become a different kind of thriller, keeping viewers engaged on multiple levels.
- An Emotional Core: At its heart, the story is about Marta, a good person caught in a bad situation. Her journey gives the film an emotional weight that the sequels, which focus on more flawed or cynical characters, struggle to match.
- The Element of Surprise: As the first film, everything about Benoit Blanc and Johnsonโs style was new and unexpected. With sequels, some of that surprise is naturally lost, as audiences now know what to expect from a Knives Out mystery.
The films are more than just puzzles. Rian Johnson uses the murder mystery format to explore bigger ideas about society. The first film tackled class and immigration. Glass Onion focused on the vanity and ignorance of the billionaire class. Wake Up Dead Man delves into faith, dogma, and community. The original is often praised for weaving its social commentary seamlessly into the character drama and plot, making it feel organic rather than a heavy-handed message.
The Legacy and Future of Benoit Blanc
The Knives Out series has revitalized the murder mystery genre for a new generation. All three films are available to stream on Netflix. The massive success of the first film led Netflix to pay over $400 million for the rights to the next two sequels.
Daniel Craig has said he would happily continue playing Benoit Blanc as long as Rian Johnson is writing the stories. Following the release of Wake Up Dead Man, both Johnson and Craig have confirmed they are starting to brainstorm ideas for a potential fourth film. The door is firmly open for more mysteries.
The release of the trilogy also inspired a fun, family-friendly parody. In late 2025, Netflix released Forks Out: A Benoit Blanc Sesame Street Mystery, a short film featuring a Muppet version of the detective solving the case of a missing pie.
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