In the ever-evolving landscape of new movies that keep us glued to our screens, few franchises have captured the imagination quite like Rian Johnson's Knives Out series. As 2025 draws to a close, the arrival of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery feels like the perfect gift for mystery lovers everywhere. This third installment in the beloved whodunit saga promises to deliver the sharp wit, intricate plotting, and star-studded drama that made its predecessors instant classics. Whether you're hunting for online movies to binge on a chilly evening or eager to dive into the latest cinematic puzzle, this film stands out as a must-watch. Directed and written by Johnson himself, it reunites us with the inimitable detective Benoit Blanc, portrayed with effortless charm by Daniel Craig. Set against a backdrop of faith, secrets, and shadowy motives, Wake Up Dead Man explores the darker corners of the human soul, all while keeping audiences guessing until the very last frame.
Imagine a quaint upstate New York town shrouded in winter fog, where the spire of an old parish church pierces the gray sky like a silent accusation. It's here that our story unfolds, in a community bound by ancient rituals and unspoken grudges. Young priest Jud Duplenticy (Josh O'Connor), fresh from seminary and brimming with idealistic fervor, arrives to assist the charismatic yet enigmatic Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Jeremy Renner). From the moment Jud steps into the rectory, it's clear that harmony is a fragile illusion. Whispers ripple through the pews about scandals long buried, fortunes tied to the church's coffers, and alliances that could shatter with a single revelation. O'Connor, known for his nuanced performances in films like Challengers, brings a raw vulnerability to Jud—a man caught between devotion and doubt, whose wide-eyed innocence masks a growing unease. Renner, channeling the intensity that made him a standout in the Marvel universe, imbues Wicks with a magnetic allure that's equal parts inspiring and intimidating. Their dynamic sets the stage for a narrative that delves into the complexities of belief, making this one of those new movies that doesn't just entertain but lingers in your thoughts long after the credits roll.
As tensions simmer beneath the surface of parish life, a shocking event shatters the fragile peace: a murder so brazen and inexplicable that it defies the town's collective understanding of justice and morality. The victim, a pivotal figure whose identity unravels layers of deceit, is found in a manner that suggests both ritual and rage. With no clear weapon, no obvious entry point, and motives scattered like confetti among the suspects, local authorities are left grasping at shadows. Enter Police Chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis), a no-nonsense investigator whose sharp instincts and weary pragmatism have kept her town safe for years. Kunis, stepping away from her comedic roots to embrace a role that demands grit and gravitas, portrays Geraldine as a woman who's seen too much to believe in easy answers. Frustrated by the case's impenetrable fog, she makes a pivotal call to the one man whose reputation precedes him like a thunderclap: Benoit Blanc.
Daniel Craig's return as Blanc is nothing short of triumphant. Since charming audiences with his Southern-fried drawl and impeccable sweaters in the original Knives Out, Craig has elevated Blanc from quirky consultant to cultural icon. In Wake Up Dead Man, he faces his most perilous investigation yet, one that Johnson has described as delving into "the soul's reckoning." Blanc arrives not as a savior but as a catalyst, his polite interrogations peeling back the town's veneer like layers of an onion—apt, given the series' penchant for culinary metaphors. There's a human warmth to Craig's portrayal that grounds the film's escalating chaos; his Blanc isn't infallible, and glimpses of personal vulnerability add depth to what could have been a mere caricature. As he navigates the labyrinth of lies, Blanc quips, "Folks, in a world full of locked-room riddles, sometimes the real mystery is why we bother locking the door at all." It's lines like these that remind us why the Knives Out films feel so alive—blending high-stakes suspense with dialogue that crackles like a well-tended fire.
The ensemble cast is, as always, a feast for the eyes and a puzzle for the mind. Surrounding Blanc and his reluctant ally Geraldine are a gallery of suspects whose performances elevate the material to operatic heights. Glenn Close as the formidable Vera Draven, a wealthy patroness whose "generous" donations come with strings attached, delivers a tour de force of icy elegance and hidden ferocity. Close, an Oscar legend, chews the scenery with the precision of a surgeon, her every glance hinting at volumes of suppressed rage. Josh Brolin brings brooding intensity as Samson Holt, the church's stoic handyman with a past dotted by unexplained absences and a temper that simmers just below the boil. Brolin's physicality—hulking yet haunted—makes him a prime suspect, yet his character's quiet moments of reflection add heartbreaking nuance.
Then there's Kerry Washington as the enigmatic Simone Vivane, a former choir director whose return to the parish stirs old wounds and fresh suspicions. Washington's commanding presence, honed in roles from Scandal to Little Fires Everywhere, infuses Simone with a blend of grace and guardedness that keeps viewers second-guessing her loyalties. Andrew Scott, the "hot priest" from Fleabag, trades wry humor for something more sinister as Lee Ross, the parish's shadowy accountant whose ledgers hide more than financial discrepancies. Scott's ability to shift from affable to unsettling in a heartbeat makes him a standout, his scenes with Blanc crackling with verbal sparring that echoes the best of Christie and Clue.
Rising star Cailee Spaeny shines as the wide-eyed acolyte torn between faith and family secrets, her performance a poignant counterpoint to the older characters' cynicism. Daryl McCormack, fresh off Belfast, adds layers of quiet intensity as Cy Draven, Vera's estranged son whose resentment toward the church runs deeper than blood. And rounding out the suspects is Thomas Haden Church as the affable yet evasive groundskeeper, whose folksy charm conceals a web of alibis as tangled as the parish's overgrown vines. This constellation of talent isn't just name-dropping; each actor weaves into Johnson's tapestry, creating a symphony of red herrings and revelations that feels organic and utterly compelling. For fans of online movies where character depth matches plot twists, this cast delivers on every promise.
At its heart, Wake Up Dead Man is a meditation on faith—not just religious, but in humanity itself. Johnson, ever the thoughtful storyteller, uses the murder as a lens to examine how belief systems, whether spiritual or societal, can both unite and destroy. The parish becomes a microcosm of our divided world, where sermons preach forgiveness but grudges fester in the shadows. As Blanc probes deeper, he uncovers not one killer but a chorus of complicities: embezzlement scandals that threaten the church's survival, illicit affairs that bind unlikely allies, and a long-buried trauma that echoes through generations. The film's pacing masterfully balances these emotional beats with pulse-pounding suspense; just when you think you've pieced it together, Johnson pulls the rug out with a twist that's as elegant as it is devastating.
Visually, the film is a triumph. Cinematographer Noah Taylor, returning from Glass Onion, bathes the proceedings in a palette of muted grays and flickering candlelight, evoking the gothic chill of classic mysteries while nodding to modern indie sensibilities. The parish itself—filmed in the rolling hills of upstate New York—feels alive, its creaking floors and stained-glass windows whispering clues to those who listen. Nathan Johnson's score, with its haunting choral swells and dissonant strings, amplifies the tension without ever overpowering the dialogue. It's the kind of sound design that makes you lean in, as if the music itself is part of the conspiracy.
What sets Wake Up Dead Man apart from its predecessors is its emotional resonance. While Knives Out skewered family dysfunction with gleeful satire and Glass Onion lampooned tech-bro excess, this entry leans into introspection. Blanc's journey here isn't just about solving a crime; it's about confronting his own limits, questioning whether some truths are better left entombed. In one poignant scene, as snow falls softly outside the confessional, Blanc confesses to a suspect, "Darlin', we all wake up dead men in the end—it's how we choose to rise that matters." It's a moment that humanizes the detective, reminding us that beneath the accent and the bravado beats a heart weary from too many endings.
For those seeking movies free from the ordinary, Wake Up Dead Man offers a gateway to extraordinary storytelling. It's a film that rewards rewatches, with Easter eggs tucked into every frame—from subtle visual motifs echoing U2's titular song to callbacks to the first two films that delight die-hard fans. Johnson's script is a love letter to the genre, subverting expectations while honoring its roots. He populates the narrative with diverse voices, ensuring that representation feels integral rather than performative. The women, in particular—Geraldine, Vera, and Simone—drive much of the plot, their agency challenging the male-dominated power structures of the parish.
As the investigation hurtles toward its climax, alliances fracture and facades crumble. A midnight confrontation in the church's crypt reveals motives as twisted as the roots of an ancient oak, forcing Blanc to make a choice that blurs the line between justice and mercy. Without spoiling the denouement, suffice it to say that the resolution is as satisfying as a perfectly timed punchline—clever, cathartic, and leaving you hungry for more. Johnson's commitment to standalone stories means you don't need prior installments to enjoy this one, but the subtle threads connecting them enrich the experience for series devotees.
Releasing amidst a sea of holiday blockbusters, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery carves out its niche as the thinking viewer's thriller. Catch it in select theaters starting November 26, 2025, for that immersive big-screen immersion, or stream it on Netflix from December 12—ideal for those cozy nights with download subtitle options to catch every sly innuendo. In an era where online movies dominate our downtime, this film stands as a beacon of quality craftsmanship, proving that great mysteries transcend mediums. It's not just entertainment; it's a reminder of why we fall in love with stories that challenge us to see the world anew.
Rian Johnson has hinted at more Blanc adventures to come, teasing premises that span from corporate espionage to supernatural-tinged enigmas. For now, though, Wake Up Dead Man is a pinnacle achievement—a film that marries intellectual rigor with heartfelt humanity. Whether you're a casual fan dipping into new movies or a genre aficionado compiling watchlists, this is the puzzle that will keep you up at night, not from fear, but from the sheer joy of unraveling it. So, brew some tea, dim the lights, and let Benoit Blanc guide you through the fog. After all, in the words of our sleuth, "The dead don't wake easy, but the truth? It rises like dough in the dawn."