Reviewed By: Flickman
If you’ve seen and enjoyed the previous Knives Out films, chances are you’ll feel right at home with Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. As someone who loves mystery thrillers that keep you guessing from start to finish, this one absolutely delivers. I always try to guess the killer early on, and for once, I actually got it right. That said, it wasn’t obvious at all. My guess was more of a shot in the dark, and even after making it, I kept second-guessing myself right up until the final fifteen minutes when everything was finally revealed.
I’ll keep this review fairly short, as going in blind will give you the best experience. What I will say is that the story focuses on a priest named Jud, played by Josh O’Connor, who is sent to a new church. He believes the current priest, Monsignor Wicks (Josh Brolin), is losing his congregation due to the way he delivers his sermons. When Monsignor Wicks is murdered in what seems like an impossible scenario, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) arrives to uncover the truth.
That’s really all you need to know plot-wise. What stood out most to me was the cast, which was phenomenal across the board. Every actor fit their role perfectly, and I honestly can’t point to a weak performance. Josh Brolin’s character was probably my favorite, thanks to his humor and presence, though Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc is a very close second.
It’s rare for me not to find something that feels slightly off in a film, but I genuinely enjoyed almost everything here. When I say “almost,” there was one small element involving a character’s repeated desire to confess that left me a bit confused. I won’t go into details to avoid spoilers, but it didn’t entirely make sense to me. It may have been included simply to keep the audience guessing, though I’m not convinced it was necessary. You’ll know exactly what I mean once you see it.
All that aside, Wake Up Dead Man is easily one of the best films I’ve seen this year. The acting, music, and storytelling are all carefully crafted, and it never feels like a rushed or soulless studio project. At around two and a half hours, it’s definitely on the longer side, but the time flies by. Nothing drags, and every scene feels purposeful.
Bottom line: if you’re in the mood for a strong, well-made whodunit, this is an easy recommendation. There’s plenty of humor, a little something for everyone, and even a mildly gross moment for horror fans. And despite already knowing how it all ends, I can confidently say this is a movie I’ll be watching again.
Overall Verdict: If you enjoyed the other Knives Out films, this will be right up your alley as well. And if you haven't seen them yet, you're missing out on a some great Scooby Doo mystery movies.
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