Movie News
Wake Up Dead Man
LeftVideo Team •
November 19, 2025
Theatrical: November 26, 2025
Netflix: December 12, 2025
Runtime: ~144 minutes
Genre: Mystery / Crime / Thriller / Drama
Rating: PG-13
Plot & Premise
Wake Up Dead Man sees master detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) return in what is being billed as his most dangerous case yet. This time, Blanc is drawn into a deeply unsettling mystery centered around a small-town church, where religious devotion and hidden secrets collide.
The story kicks off when Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), a charismatic priest, is found dead — under circumstances so bizarre that it defies logic. According to reports, Wicks gives a sermon and then walks into a sealed concrete box, only for his lifeless body to be discovered moments later.
To untangle this “perfectly impossible crime,” Blanc teams up with Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis), a local law enforcement officer, as well as Reverend Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a young priest whose arrival at the congregation sets off a chain of suspicion.
As Blanc digs deeper, he must navigate a tangled web of faith, power, and deception — and reckon with what belief means when confronted with death.
Cast & Characters
Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc
Josh O’Connor as Reverend Jud Duplenticy
Josh Brolin as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks
Mila Kunis as Officer Geraldine Scott
Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church also star in key ensemble roles.
Themes & Tone
Rian Johnson has said this installment is darker and more introspective than its predecessors. While past Knives Out films delivered sharp social satire, Wake Up Dead Man is reportedly more existential — grappling with mortality, belief, and the nature of truth.
The small church setting, religious imagery, and the character of a priest all point toward a gothic mystery vibe, leaning into themes of sin, confession, and the paradoxes of faith.
Production & Release Notes
Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 6, 2025.
International premiere at the London Film Festival on October 8, 2025.
Limited theatrical run starting November 26, before streaming on Netflix on December 12.
Critics have praised it: on Rotten Tomatoes it has a 95% score, with many noting how it gives Benoit Blanc a “soulful” case rooted in belief.
What’s Getting People Talking
Dangerous Case: The trailer teases Blanc calling this his “most dangerous case yet.”
Religious Undertones: With a priest’s death in a closed-box scenario, fans are speculating about whether canonical secrets or church corruption might be involved.
Tone Shift: Many believe this will be the darkest Knives Out movie, not just in plot, but thematically — dealing with faith, death, and redemption.
Ensemble Cast: With actors like Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, and Cailee Spaeny joining, there’s a strong expectation of complex character dynamics and high-stakes intrigue.
Why You Should Watch
For mystery fans: Classic detective work, a locked-room-style “impossible” crime, and Benoit Blanc at his most intellectual.
For thoughtful viewers: The film goes beyond a whodunit — it invites you to reflect on belief, truth, and what “justice” means in a spiritual context.
For ensemble lovers: A star-studded cast delivering layered performances, plus Johnson’s trademark wit and emotional depth.
Where to Watch
In Theaters: Starting November 26, 2025
Streaming: Netflix on December 12, 2025
Netflix: December 12, 2025
Runtime: ~144 minutes
Genre: Mystery / Crime / Thriller / Drama
Rating: PG-13
Plot & Premise
Wake Up Dead Man sees master detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) return in what is being billed as his most dangerous case yet. This time, Blanc is drawn into a deeply unsettling mystery centered around a small-town church, where religious devotion and hidden secrets collide.
The story kicks off when Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), a charismatic priest, is found dead — under circumstances so bizarre that it defies logic. According to reports, Wicks gives a sermon and then walks into a sealed concrete box, only for his lifeless body to be discovered moments later.
To untangle this “perfectly impossible crime,” Blanc teams up with Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis), a local law enforcement officer, as well as Reverend Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a young priest whose arrival at the congregation sets off a chain of suspicion.
As Blanc digs deeper, he must navigate a tangled web of faith, power, and deception — and reckon with what belief means when confronted with death.
Cast & Characters
Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc
Josh O’Connor as Reverend Jud Duplenticy
Josh Brolin as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks
Mila Kunis as Officer Geraldine Scott
Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church also star in key ensemble roles.
Themes & Tone
Rian Johnson has said this installment is darker and more introspective than its predecessors. While past Knives Out films delivered sharp social satire, Wake Up Dead Man is reportedly more existential — grappling with mortality, belief, and the nature of truth.
The small church setting, religious imagery, and the character of a priest all point toward a gothic mystery vibe, leaning into themes of sin, confession, and the paradoxes of faith.
Production & Release Notes
Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 6, 2025.
International premiere at the London Film Festival on October 8, 2025.
Limited theatrical run starting November 26, before streaming on Netflix on December 12.
Critics have praised it: on Rotten Tomatoes it has a 95% score, with many noting how it gives Benoit Blanc a “soulful” case rooted in belief.
What’s Getting People Talking
Dangerous Case: The trailer teases Blanc calling this his “most dangerous case yet.”
Religious Undertones: With a priest’s death in a closed-box scenario, fans are speculating about whether canonical secrets or church corruption might be involved.
Tone Shift: Many believe this will be the darkest Knives Out movie, not just in plot, but thematically — dealing with faith, death, and redemption.
Ensemble Cast: With actors like Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, and Cailee Spaeny joining, there’s a strong expectation of complex character dynamics and high-stakes intrigue.
Why You Should Watch
For mystery fans: Classic detective work, a locked-room-style “impossible” crime, and Benoit Blanc at his most intellectual.
For thoughtful viewers: The film goes beyond a whodunit — it invites you to reflect on belief, truth, and what “justice” means in a spiritual context.
For ensemble lovers: A star-studded cast delivering layered performances, plus Johnson’s trademark wit and emotional depth.
Where to Watch
In Theaters: Starting November 26, 2025
Streaming: Netflix on December 12, 2025
