Josh O’Connor as a Beatific Priest Steals the Spotlight in Wake Up Dead Man

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I’m always excited when a new Knives Out movie comes along – we don’t get them every year, but they’re always a treat! It all started in 2019 with a fantastic mystery starring Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc, a detective with the coolest Southern charm. He investigated the death of a famous author in that first film, and it was brilliant. The second one, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, came out on Netflix in 2022. While I didn’t love it quite as much, the setting on a gorgeous Greek island was stunning – it was fun to watch the incredibly stylish characters, like Janelle Monae and Kate Hudson, living their best lives there. It was just a really visually rich experience.

The new mystery, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, written and directed by Rian Johnson, introduces Father Jud Duplenticy, played by Josh O’Connor. This spirited but devoted priest is transferred to a quiet parish in upstate New York after a disagreement with a superior. However, he quickly discovers the congregation is controlled by the intimidating Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, portrayed by Josh Brolin. Wicks rules with an iron fist over a group including a peculiar science fiction author (Andrew Scott), a loyal servant determined to protect him (Glenn Close), and an ambitious lawyer seemingly under his influence (Kerry Washington). When Wicks is found murdered – stabbed with a strange object – everyone becomes a suspect. The new arrival, Father Duplenticy, a former boxer who admits to a violent past, immediately falls under suspicion. Who could have committed the crime?

The movie Wake Up Dead Man suffers from a needlessly complicated plot, ultimately becoming a confusing mess of explanations that aren’t very insightful. The film features a large cast, including Cailee Spaeny as a cellist struggling with a nerve disorder, Jeremy Renner as a doctor dealing with a recent separation, and Thomas Haden Church as a disengaged church groundskeeper. Because of the numerous characters, some don’t have enough screen time or meaningful roles.

Like the previous Knives Out films, the mystery’s solution isn’t the most important part. It’s the journey that’s enjoyable, and Wake Up Dead Man takes a winding path filled with casual jokes and surprisingly clever one-liners, all delivered with perfect comedic timing by the cast. There’s a memorable scene where Father Jud and Monsignor Wick are cleaning up graffiti – specifically, phallic drawings – from the mausoleum of Wick’s grandfather, left by some disgruntled locals who dislike Wick’s preaching. Close’s character, a stern family loyalist, arrives to voice her displeasure, exclaiming with disgust at the sight of the drawings, “It makes me sick, these kids putting rocket ships all over his sacred resting place!”

The main reason to watch Wake Up Dead Man is definitely O’Connor’s performance. While Craig’s Blanc occasionally explains his theories about the murder – he initially considers it unsolvable – O’Connor consistently steals the show. His character, Father Jud, is complex enough to make you question whether he might actually be guilty of killing the unpleasant Wick. A glimpse of a tattoo hints at a rebellious past, and his embarrassed reaction to Wick’s confession suggests a hidden side. Yet, he also displays moments of genuine kindness, like offering heartfelt support to a local contractor dealing with her mother’s illness. Despite a troubled history, Father Jud consistently projects a warmth and grace that makes redemption feel believable.

The actor consistently delivers the film’s wittiest lines with perfect timing. There’s a particularly funny moment when he examines the book club’s reading list – featuring classics like Edgar Allan Poe’s The Murders in the Rue Morgue and Agatha Christie’s The Murder at the Vicarage – and jokingly asks who selected such dramatic stories. Father Jud cheerfully replies, “Oprah!” It’s a simple gag, but the actor’s delivery makes it genuinely hilarious. In a movie that largely continues the style of Knives Out, his performance is a standout.

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2025-12-13 00:09