BRIAN VINER reviews Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery: Smart, hilarious, gloriously acted… it’s the best one yet

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Verdict: Fabulous return to form

Everyone loved the first Knives Out movie in 2019, so when the sequel, Glass Onion, came out in 2022, critics were quick to point out its flaws because it didn’t quite reach the same level of success.

Some movies are more fun for the actors than the viewers, but “Wake Up Dead Man” is a fantastic exception. It’s a real return to greatness – even better than the first one! It’s a hilarious and spooky thriller with a clever story, brilliant performances, and had me wanting to share the joy with everyone around me – luckily, it was just my wife!

I initially saw ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ at the London Film Festival last month, and then I watched it again with a friend on Wednesday at the Everyman cinema in Stratford-upon-Avon. I think the town’s most famous resident, Shakespeare, would have really enjoyed it. Despite dealing with serious topics like revenge, redemption, and ambition, Rian Johnson’s film is surprisingly funny and clever – something Shakespeare was also known for.

It takes forty minutes before we finally meet Benoit Blanc, Daniel Craig’s charming and impeccably dressed detective. He speaks with a distinctive Southern accent – one that somehow feels more British than American.

Craig is great, but Josh O’Connor truly shines as Jud Duplenticy, a former boxer and now a young Catholic priest. Jud has a neck tattoo hinting at a rebellious past.

After getting into some trouble at theological school, Jud is transferred to a church called Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude in Chimney Rock, New York. It’s run by the powerful and somewhat eccentric Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (played with obvious enjoyment by Josh Brolin), who’s known for being a little unstable and delivering intense sermons that often offend new visitors, causing them to leave.

Let me tell you, there’s a really unsettling vibe around Wicks. He’s created this atmosphere of distrust, and honestly, his followers are just as wary as he is. You’ve got this whole group caught up in it – even people you’d never expect, like the town doctor who’s been heartbroken, a famous sci-fi writer, and a rather opportunistic politician all seem to be under his influence. It’s a fascinating, and frankly, a little disturbing dynamic to watch unfold.

However, the most unsettling follower of the sinister bishop is Martha Delacroix, a character reminiscent of Mrs. Danvers, brilliantly portrayed by Glenn Close. She has a strange way of appearing as if from nowhere.

Martha has spent her entire life working at the church. She even served Wicks’s grandfather, Prentice, who was a former priest there. However, a large family fortune was concealed before it could be inherited by his daughter, Grace – Wicks’s mother, who was unfortunately known in town by a scandalous reputation.

Blanc arrives in town to investigate the murder of Wicks, which occurred during a Holy Week service. While getting to know Jud, Blanc also tries to uncover the location of a hidden fortune. The biggest question, however, remains: who killed Wicks?

Like a classic Agatha Christie mystery, the film has plenty of suspects. The writer-director clearly enjoys playing with the audience, using misleading clues, intriguing plot devices, and cleverly confusing flashbacks to keep everyone guessing.

Honestly, the casting couldn’t have been better – and the actors clearly have a fantastic script to work with. Sitting there on one of the comfy sofas at the Everyman on Wednesday, it all just clicked. It felt like the perfect combination for a really funny and thrilling movie, and I absolutely loved it.

If I had to be picky, I’d say the film’s rating might be a bit too low, as it contains a couple of quite unsettling scenes, including one with an acid bath. However, kids these days are more mature than they used to be. Overall, this is a really fun film for almost the whole family.

All films are out now.

 

ALSO SHOWING…

Lorenz Hart was a remarkably talented but troubled songwriter who, alongside Richard Rodgers, created many unforgettable songs that are still loved today, such as “The Lady Is A Tramp” and “My Funny Valentine.” One of his songs also inspired the title of Richard Linklater’s captivating film, Blue Moon.

Director Linklater and writer Robert Kaplow skillfully depict the life and tragic downfall of Hart by focusing on a single night – March 31, 1943. This evening provides a window into his career and the beginnings of the alcoholism that would ultimately lead to his death just a few months later at the age of 48.

Ethan Hawke gives a fantastic performance in the role, and director Richard Linklater cleverly uses camera angles to make Hawke, who is of average height, appear as short as the real-life Mason Hart (under 5 feet tall).

The Broadway premiere of Oklahoma! was a huge success that same night. However, Richard Rodgers had collaborated with Oscar Hammerstein on the musical because his previous partner, Lorenz Hart, had been difficult to work with. Following the show, at a nearby celebration at Sardi’s restaurant, Hart openly expressed his resentment.

Bobby Cannavale shines as the bartender at Sardi’s, while Andrew Scott portrays Rodgers and Margaret Qualley plays a promising student who becomes the focus of a disturbing obsession. The performances are excellent, but the film truly stands out for its witty and intelligent dialogue – it’s clever without being condescending, and that’s refreshing.

Despite a strong performance by Sydney Sweeney as boxer Christy Martin, the film ‘Christy’ (rated 15, 94 minutes) doesn’t quite land. It tells the true story of Martin’s boxing career and the severe abuse she endured – culminating in an attempted murder – at the hands of her husband and coach, Jim Martin (played by Ben Foster). Unfortunately, the boxing sequences aren’t convincing, and the film relies too heavily on familiar tropes and lacks depth in its characters.

Verdict: Animal magnetism 

By Peter Hoskin 

Just like classic pairings such as Laurel and Hardy or Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are a fantastic duo. These characters, brought to life by Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman, first teamed up in the 2016 blockbuster Zootopia, where a determined bunny cop and a sly fox formed an unlikely partnership.

The first movie showed how these characters overcame their disagreements in a colorful city where all kinds of animals live together. The new sequel explores those same themes, but with a more complex and emotional story.

Oh my gosh, seeing Judy and Nick finally working together as partners is EVERYTHING! It’s not just sunshine and rainbows, though – they actually have to learn how to work together, which means giving in sometimes and facing some really tough stuff. Honestly, for a kids’ movie, it’s surprisingly deep and real. I’m totally obsessed with how they navigate it all!

The plot follows a similar pattern. While the first movie presented a complex mystery, this one throws our heroes into an even bigger scandal, reminiscent of the famous ‘Chinatown’ case. The story revolves around the wealthy and corrupt Lynxley family, who have stolen the patent rights from another family.

With a lengthy nod to Jack Nicholson’s performance in The Shining, the movie contains a lot of mature content that might be overwhelming for adult viewers.

Despite some flaws, the movie is bright and cheerful enough to capture a child’s attention. My five-year-old loved it and says it’s his new favorite! Plus, Judy and Nick definitely deserve a place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – I’d give them two extra stars.

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2025-11-28 02:49