With all the familiar sequels, reboots and adaptations keeping movie theaters afloat, “Knives Out” may be the most refreshing franchise of the last decade. The 2019 murder mystery from “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” director Rian Johnson grossed over $300 million worldwide, a remarkable number for a live-action original film. Netflix pounced on its success, inking a lucrative deal that guaranteed two sequels with Daniel Craig reprising his role as the lovable southern sleuth Benoit Blanc.
Following 2022’s “Glass Onion,” the third entry “Wake Up Dead Man” began its limited theatrical run Nov. 26 ahead of its Netflix debut slated for Dec. 12. The movie is another old-fashioned whodunnit, but it stands alone as a far more dramatic, personal tale that will stick with the viewer long after the culprit has been exposed.
This time around, the story takes place at a small Catholic church in upstate New York. There, newcomer Jud Duplenticy, played by Josh O’Connor, works under the tutelage of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, a megalomaniacal priest played by Josh Brolin. When a sudden killing during Good Friday mass shocks the community, Jud teams up with Detective Blanc to solve the confounding crime and clear his name.
Although the opening act is slow, the plot picks up steam after the inevitable murder. As the bloody scheme starts to unravel, it delivers all the satisfying deduction and wild swerves one would expect from the series. Johnson’s love for the genre shines as bright as ever with meta references to classic mystery novels — specifically “The Hollow Man” by John Dickson Carr, which plays a prominent role — and he drops an endless trail of breadcrumbs and red herrings to keep viewers guessing.
Much like “Glass Onion,” however, it risks losing the viewer as the plot gets more complex. Being along for the ride is fun, but trying to keep track of so many clues can make it hard to stay invested. Blanc’s climactic speech that explains the murder step-by-step is so hilariously convoluted that it makes one wonder how any viewer could possibly figure it out on their own. A second watch would likely make it easier to see how the puzzle fits together, but having so many twists does put a slight damper on the big reveal.
While the mystery itself is a bit messy, it excels in personal drama and subtext. Johnson’s script offers a nuanced exploration of faith, power and politics that centers on the conflict between the two clergymen. Jud’s background is anything but traditional — his cauliflower ears and neck tattoo betray his past life as a bareknuckle boxer — and yet he is earnestly devoted to spreading a message of unity and compassion. On the other hand, Jefferson represents the corrupt establishment that clings to outdated notions of righteousness and manipulates vulnerable people to accrue money and influence.
Both “Knives Out” and “Glass Onion” were full of social commentary, but “Wake Up Dead Man” executes these themes much more meaningfully. While some may find Johnson’s writing heavy-handed, especially with his blatant distaste for conservatives, it is refreshing to see a major film tackle such urgent issues head-on in these polarizing times. In the end, it shares an uplifting message about finding common ground with people of different ideologies rather than falling victim to institutions that profit from division and fear.
Its thematic weight leaves a strong impression, and the tremendous acting elevates the material even further. Brolin’s domineering presence lends itself well to the antagonist role, and O’Connor steals the show as the series’ strongest lead yet. His star has been on the rise since being showered in awards for his performance as Prince Charles in the Netflix series “The Crown,” and “Wake Up Dead Man” is another feather in his cap. He disappears into the role with a soft, captivating grace that makes Jud hugely endearing and easy to root for. His chemistry with Daniel Craig is superb as well, and it allows Craig to show a more human side of the cartoony detective fans know and love.
Crafting an intimate character study of the protagonist is a bold new direction for the series, but it does come at the expense of the supporting cast. As always, there is an eccentric group of suspects with various motives at play, all of whom have been enraptured by Jefferson’s inflammatory sermons. Among others, Jeremy Renner, Andrew Scott and Glenn Close deliver strong performances. However, almost none of the side characters are properly fleshed out, which leaves a feeling of missed potential. Also, a few are very similar to those seen in previous movies — Johnson sure loves to parody right-wing influencers.
Some viewers may also miss the more quick-witted, comedic writing of the first two films. That being said, the script is full of dry satire, and the darker tone makes the laugh-out-loud moments more memorable.
Even with its small issues, this is by far the most impactful narrative in the series, and the same can be said for the visuals. The way the story rotates between each area of the church grounds feels reminiscent of a stage play, and the gorgeous cinematography makes the most of the immersive set design. There are some truly stunning shots — in particular, the bold lighting amplifies the tension and symbolism of a few key moments. In terms of audio, it is surprisingly quiet, which places the dialogue at the forefront and makes the infrequent use of music more effective. At times, it feels like an arthouse film with a blockbuster budget because it has a sense of care and artistry that is all too rare in big studio productions.
“Wake Up Dead Man” is both a strong return to form and a successful departure for the “Knives Out” franchise that shakes up the tried-and-true formula in exciting ways. While it remains to be seen if Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig will team up again now that the trilogy is complete, there is clearly a lot of life — and death — left in this concept.
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