TIFF Review: Wake Up Dead Man Offers an Enjoyable Benoit Blanc Adventure, Though It Ranks as the Least Impressive Installment So Far.

      Let's skip the slow-burn and big reveal that Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc is known for in the Knives Out series, and get straight to the point: Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is yet another engaging, unpredictable tale featuring all the elements fans have come to expect. It boasts a highly eclectic cast, including some outstanding character actors and emerging talents. The plot involves a seemingly unsolvable crime that nods to Agatha Christie (and others, like Edgar Allan Poe). There’s also the classic whodunit setup: Knives Out had a family of backstabbers with vendettas, while Glass Onion used a vacation backdrop with "friends" seeking revenge; Wake Up Dead Man introduces a "locked-door mystery" set in a quaint town.

      So far, it feels familiar to Knives Out. However, Wake Up Dead Man stands as the weakest entry in the series by a significant margin. It's easy to forget how refreshing Knives Out was in 2019, and the pandemic-themed Glass Onion was a close contender (though it faltered in the final act). The reasons for Wake Up being the least appealing of the three can be attributed to its church setting. Johnson enjoys playing with the ever-popular parish mystery genre, but after the grandeur of a mansion and a billionaire’s island, a church just isn’t as engaging as a backdrop.

      The film’s central story unfolds in a long-established Catholic parish in upstate New York. The new assistant pastor, an ex-boxer with a complicated history, is portrayed with humor and subtle pathos by Josh O’Connor. Jud Duplenticy, his character, aims to make a positive impact. However, this proves challenging under the watchful eye of the imposing Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin, channeling a Jeff Bridges vibe). Wicks presides over a Gothic cathedral that attracts a small congregation. Among them are an alcoholic doctor (Jeremy Renner), a once-popular author (Andrew Scott), a cellist in desperation (Cailee Spaeny), and a lawyer raising an aspiring politician (Kerry Washington and Daryl McCormack, respectively). Lurking in the background is the church’s versatile staff (Glenn Close). All are under Wicks' influence and are less than thrilled about Jud's arrival.

      It's notable that Benoit Blanc hasn't been mentioned yet, which is a concern: it takes far too long for the flamboyant detective to make his entrance. One of the joys of this series lies in the dynamics between Blanc and his assistant—LaKeith Stanfield in Knives Out, Janelle Monáe in Glass Onion. This time, Blanc partners with the town police chief, portrayed competently by Mila Kunis, even though her role lacks depth. She and Spaeny deserve more substantial characters. Brolin, Close, and O’Connor have richer material to work with and make the most of it. As for Craig: while it’s always a pleasure to see him as Benoit Blanc, he is rather restrained this time, aside from one memorable pulpit moment and a clever scene involving Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera.

      It's advisable to watch Wake Up Dead Man with minimal prior knowledge. Accordingly, I won't disclose which character meets their end on Good Friday. Audiences are unlikely to predict how the story will unfold, and despite its flaws, they should find much to enjoy.

      Though Wake Up Dead Man doesn't quite reach the heights of Knives Out or Glass Onion, it reinforces Johnson’s ability to produce intriguing thrills. In fact, the most remarkable achievement of his career may not be Brick or The Last Jedi—although creating a high school murder mystery and the most controversial (and audacious) Star Wars installment is commendable. It’s clear that his greatest triumph is the Benoit Blanc series, which revives a type of mystery franchise that had seemed nearly forgotten. It's no spoiler to indicate that, with the conclusion of Wake Up Dead Man, it's unlikely we’ve seen the last of Blanc. Johnson surely has more stories to tell, which will likely continue to entertain audiences at home on a Saturday night. Next time, let's hope for a more captivating setting and, ideally, a more dynamic detective.

      Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery premiered at TIFF 2025 and will hit theaters on November 26, before arriving on Netflix on December 12.