Have a Little Faith

Three films into the Knives Out series and Rian Johnson still isn’t bored with his own funhouse — and neither am I. Each entry in the Agatha Christie–inspired franchise has told a different story with a different cast and setting, but they’ve all been mainstream crowd-pleasers that feel intelligently crafted rather than assembled by an algorithm, the rare series where “new installment” means “new flavor” instead of “same meal reheated.” 

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery keeps that streak alive. It’s not as bright and cameo-filled as 2022’s Greek island–set Glass Onion was. But it’s sharper and more self-possessed than the original Knives Out was.

This time out, Johnson places his modern-day Detective Hercule Poirot, world-famous southern-fried detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, still delightful), into a church setting in upstate New York. The victim is Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), a fire-and-brimstone preacher who spews vitriol from the pulpit, intentionally scaring away new parishioners, and who is described by one peer as “a bit of a dick” (which made an audience member sitting behind me audibly gasp). Wicks croaks on Good Friday, of all days — because, obviously, subtlety is not the vibe here. 

The apparent culprit is Reverend Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor, Challengers), a newcomer to the church who disagrees with Wicks on his approach to almost everything. Of course, as any murder-mystery watcher knows, that instantly means he didn’t do it, so the actual killer must be a member of Wicks’ faithful flock: lawyer Vera Draven (Kerry Washington); her brother/son, Cy (Daryl McCormack), a failed Republican politician turned online influencer; Wicks’ right-hand woman, Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close), who has been at the church since she was a young girl and Wicks’ father was leading it; divorced, alcoholic doctor Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner); Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny, Civil War), a disabled former concert cellist; best-selling science fiction author Lee Ross (Andrew Scott, Blue Moon); or church groundskeeper Samson Holt (Thomas Haden Church). 

Toss in local police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis, whose Jewish background shows up in unexpected ways), and a couple of small supporting turns from Jeffrey Wright and Bridget Everett, and you’ve got yourself a proper mystery buffet that will keep you guessing till the end. 

Each film in the Knives Out series has been unique, and what’s most notable about Wake Up Dead Man is its tone and mood. Whereas the first two films were flashy party tricks, more about the whodunit than the journey getting there, this one is more methodical, more inward-looking. 

The church setting lets Johnson comment on religious power, hypocrisy, and the way these institutions can become playgrounds for ego. But he mostly avoids the smugness trap. Blanc calls himself a “proud Heathen,” yet the film balances him with Reverend Jud’s sincere, often bruised faith. Jud isn’t treated as a punchline; he’s treated as a person in genuine spiritual conflict, and O’Connor’s impressive portrayal of this gives the story a weight the series hasn’t leaned into before.  

But don’t worry, Wake Up Dead Man is no Sunday sermon. Rather, it’s very funny. Craig dials Blanc down from the flamboyance he displayed in Glass Onion, but he’s still got classic deadpan timing that lands like a soft hammer. (The phrase “Scooby Dooby Doo!” coming out of Blanc’s mouth is one of the best laughs of the year.) 

The ensemble overall is strong (if slightly underused), but if there’s a standout, it’s Close, playing a church lady from hell — half sight gag like Nicky Guadagni was in Ready or Not and half overly pious church devotee with strong opinions about a certain “Harlot Whore” and others in the community. It’s a delicious performance that could absolutely show up in awards conversations. 

And yet, while Blanc talks often about how this case is an “impossible” one to solve, perhaps the bigger mystery is why the film isn’t getting a wider theatrical release than the one it’s enjoying right now in “select theaters.” Even Johnson is on record expressing his frustration about why his mainstream-oriented movie isn’t getting more of a mainstream theatrical release. He should put Blanc on that case; hopefully, he’d solve the mystery easily so Netflix can right that wrong. Alas, it’s a perennial complaint, and the streamer clearly will not be changing its business model anytime soon. (For the record, Glass Onion was contractually locked in to a single week in theaters. Wake Up Dead Man will be in theaters a little longer than that.)

Regardless, Wake Up Dead Man is a smart, satisfying third chapter that proves Johnson and Craig still have plenty of gas left in the tank. It may not be the most purely fun entry, but it’s arguably the most thoughtful — and it should play well when it premieres on Netflix on December 12.

I’m giving the film a B+.