Rian Johnson knows his murder mysteries. He knows his genres, and he knows exactly how to have a story play out. He also knows his audience and that those who love murder mysteries and whodunnits love to work out the puzzle of the crime committed. With each new mystery, Johnson has given us clues, characters and something more to think about than just the crime and killer. After the mammoth success of Knives Out (2019), no one would have thought that the next detective/mystery franchise was born. Wake Up Dead Man is fresh new mystery, that both follows the formulas Johnson has created, as well introducing new twist and turns that will have any fan of the genre (and Blanc) excited to see how it all ties together.
Benoit Blanc returns, and this time the case seems impossible to solve. In the parish of the intimidating and influential Monsignor Wicks, who rules over his small group of faithful followers (parishioners), a mysterious death occurs. Blanc must wade through the secrets, lies and myths that surround this church, alongside a recently arrived young priest, Father Jud Duplenticy.
The stage for this mystery, though it feels unusual, falls into a similar pattern to before. We are brought into the story by a seemingly innocent bystander to a vicious crime, we are shown a group of suspects, each given their time on screen, we are shown their brief backstory and their connection to the church. The crime is played out, the local sheriff steps in and Blanc arrives on the scene. Although we are lulled into a false sense of security, this story is different, it involves faith. Our connection into the entire story, Father Jud, an outsider who observes Wicks' hold over his followers and how he perceives the church.
Father Jud becomes Blanc's connection and near side-kick, despite being suspect himself. But from the very moment Blanc steps into the church and meets Jud, there a balance that is restored. Blanc makes it very clear he is not religious nor does he believe in what the Catholic church has to offer, but with Jud he feels at ease, revealing thoughts and history we otherwise may never have heard if it wasn't for what these two characters have: mutual respect and understanding. This is always the best part of Johnson's murder mysteries, as well as the reveal itself of course. Though set in and around the church, it isn't about religion, it's about faith and truly understanding the motives of others. Once the secrets start being revealed and the lies come undone, Blanc is able to pick apart a mystery that started decades before the murder even took place.
The darkness of Wake Up Dead Man lies very much with the characters; the setting of the church is decoration. The line-up of suspects are all bitter, confused, delusional, obsessed and all worship at the feet of Msgr. Wicks, played with sheer venom by Josh Brolin. Of all the followers, Glen Close makes the biggest impression as the faithful servant and keeper of the parish files Martha Delacroix. Daniel Craig is on top form as ever, playing Blanc somewhat at ease, except for his first step into the church. But it's Josh O'Conner who is the star here as Father Jud Duplenticy, initially sent to Wicks' parish as punishment. Playing the priest as a much more complex character than you might perceive a priest to be, his presence throughout is both assuring and electrifying.
Though there are some minor issues to be taken up, the slight predictability of the minor plot points, some characters coming across slightly too generic for generic's sake, Wake Up Dead Man is a step up from both Glass Onion and Knives Out. The comedy mixed with the macabre is on point and the jokes land well, even when it's a bit awkward. It easy to say that this tale of murder, mystery and the Catholic church is fun, dramatic and comes with a genuine surprise or two, which is always refreshing to watch, especially if you're someone who thinks you can predict the outcome.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery was the opening night gala film at the BFI London Film Festival 2025
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