‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ is a witty, soulful satire of pulpit power

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Rian Johnson’s newest mystery, “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” is his most darkly humorous and strongest film in the series so far. The story unfolds in a church shaken by two crimes: a murder and a theft. This time, the franchise’s detective, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), finds himself outsmarted by a surprising culprit: Father Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a former boxer with a tough exterior and a hidden past.

Actor O’Connor is particularly good at playing flawed characters, and his portrayal of Jud is no exception. Jud describes himself as “young, dumb and full of Christ,” hinting at a troubled past – he took a life as a teen. Even after years of trying to reform, he still struggles with anger and confronts Msgr. Wicks (Josh Brolin), demanding an end to the priest’s harsh control over their church in upstate New York, Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude.

Pastor Wicks is a stern and unforgiving man who believes God wants him to publicly shame those he considers sinners. This has created a climate of fear within the church, and people are afraid to cross him. Bishop Langstrom, played by Jeffrey Wright, recognizes Wicks is extreme and has sent a new pastor to the church hoping he can win people over with kindness rather than harsh judgment.

Jud tells the churchgoers that simply remaining silent means they’re choosing a side. They don’t just disagree with his message of love over hate; they actively condemn him for it, particularly after Wicks is fatally stabbed during the Good Friday service.

Police Chief Geraldine Scott, played by Mila Kunis, is certain Jud committed the crime. Everyone else present at the scene was a follower of Wicks: there was Lee, a novelist (Andrew Scott); Nat, a doctor (Jeremy Renner); Simone, a cellist (Cailee Spaeny); Samson, the groundskeeper (played by Thomas Haden Church); Vera, a lawyer (Kerry Washington); Cy, a YouTuber known for videos with titles like “There’s G-O-D in DOGE” (Daryl McCormack); and Martha (Glenn Close), a long-time member of the church who served even when Wicks’ grandfather was in charge.

It was a crazy scene. When Wicks went down, Jud was right there on stage, holding this huge cross, and everyone else who might have done it was sitting perfectly still. Honestly, it would have taken something unbelievable to pull off a murder right then and there, it just didn’t seem possible.

“A perfectly impossible crime,” Blanc says with a grin. “The holy grail.”

Blanc will finally explain what happened, declaring his commitment to logic and reason. He treats Wicks’ body with cold detachment, seeing it simply as flesh and not something sacred. He briefly mentions a difficult relationship with his religious mother, offering the only personal detail he’ll share. It’s clear something significant has changed for Blanc since the last film. His once neatly cut hair is now long and unkempt, suggesting he might be going through a spiritual struggle.

By the time Blanc finally appears, almost forty minutes into the movie, we’ve already lost track of waiting for him to take charge. We’re completely engrossed in the intense conflict between Wicks and Jud. Even when Blanc arrives, he’s surprised to find himself often watching from the sidelines as Jud passionately leads his followers towards what he believes is right. Jud doesn’t seem particularly worried about his own fate, whether he’s innocent or guilty. He’s a troubled man willingly sacrificing himself, and it’s clear he’s deeply hurting throughout the entire ordeal.

Entertainment & Arts

Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” films are a throwback to great filmmaking – featuring clever writing, witty humor, and a talented cast. Johnson aims to remind audiences who complain about modern movies what they love about going to the cinema (though his film, “Wake Up Dead Man,” will also be available on Netflix soon). He combines a showman’s sense of spectacle with a deep knowledge of mystery storytelling, even including subtle details like a church book club flyer that hints at the books that inspired him, for viewers who might want to read further.

The books on his reading list are mostly classic mysteries, around a hundred years old – including works by Agatha Christie and Edgar Allan Poe, as well as lesser-known authors like Dorothy L. Sayers and John Dickson Carr. This new work, “Dead Man,” tries to live up to the quality of those stories while also playfully twisting the traditional mystery format. Although the film is almost two and a half hours long, it feels rushed and doesn’t quite achieve everything it sets out to do. However, the plot is exciting and full of surprises, constantly throwing accusations and confessions at the audience. The author embraces classic mystery elements – like ravens and stormy weather – but also adds a humorous touch by giving misleading clues silly names, like “the knife robot” and “the clangy clunk.”

Beneath the fun, twisty mysteries of the “Knives Out” films lies a sharp commentary on modern society. These aren’t stories meant to last forever; they directly address current issues. The first two films, “Knives Out” (2019) and “Glass Onion” (2022), reflected the growing gap between rich and poor, coinciding with a period where the world’s wealthiest individuals dramatically increased their fortunes. The newest installment, “Dead Man,” targets powerful men who preach morality but don’t practice it. While it feels like a moral tale, director Rian Johnson is more straightforward than traditional parables. One character even jokingly suggests to a protagonist that he could run for president in just four years. The film also includes a clever nod to fans of Johnson’s previous work, particularly his 2017 film “The Last Jedi.”

One of the biggest problems with this production is that it feels overstuffed with actors. They don’t quite come across as fully developed characters, instead feeling like brief cameos. However, Glenn Close is excellent as a sincerely religious woman who unexpectedly appears at crucial moments. Her character, Martha, is incredibly innocent—she even misinterprets graffiti as spaceships—and only becomes unpleasant when sharing the troubled backstory of Wicks’ mother, Grace (Annie Hamilton), whom she cruelly refers to as a promiscuous woman.

The exaggerated insults are intentional, highlighting the church’s unequal treatment of women just as clearly as in “Conclave.” The men—with the exception of Jud—easily forgive each other’s mistakes, while Martha and Vera are left to do the bulk of the work.

The film uses flashbacks where Hamilton’s character dramatically enters a chapel, with a large, ominous moon visible behind her. Director Rian Johnson and cinematographer Steve Yedlin deliberately aimed for a darker, more gothic style than they used in “Glass Onion.” While most of the story unfolds within the stone walls of Perpetual Fortitude, the weather outside cleverly reflects the changing emotions of the characters. For example, sunlight might flood through the windows one moment, only to be quickly replaced by shadows as a cloud passes overhead, creating a sense of unease.

The camera work is dynamic and immersive, dropping to the floor during impacts and shaking with each punch, putting the viewer right in the action. This is perfectly matched by Nathan Johnson’s unsettling score, featuring scratchy cellos, ominous horns, and dramatic organ swells. These musical cues, along with clever editing by Bob Ducsay, create a series of surprisingly effective and fun jump scares.

Though the priest character played by O’Connor delivers many funny lines, it’s his genuine portrayal that gives the film emotional weight. Johnson allows him to fully embody the role, blending the film’s classic mystery elements with a contemporary edge.

It’s likely just a coincidence, but the actor O’Connor was 33 when he got the part – the same age Jesus was when he died. However, the film seems to be posing a thought-provoking question: would people actually recognize Jesus if he were here today, and would the church still accept him, especially if he challenged its flaws?

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2025-11-25 14:32