NFL
By: Matt Overton
Four years and almost half a billion dollars later, Rian Johnson has fulfilled his commitment to Netflix with his second sequel to the generational Knives Out. Wake Up Dead Man is the third entry in this exciting trilogy, and presumably the last. As much as I’d devour a million more of these movies, Johnson probably wants to devote his time to something new and challenging. He is three for three in my books in proving he is the modern master of the murder/mystery genre, and Wake Up Dead Man is a glorious finale that guarantees Johnson a memorable and lasting legacy.
As each iteration of this saga releases, there’s some new entity or organization that Johnson has a bone to pick with in his script. The first was a general takedown of the wealthy, the second honed in on the foppish tech bros, and the latest take aims at organized religion. Josh O’Connor plays a newly anointed, bright-eyed Father Jud Duplenticy who is stationed in a small-time church with the firebrand Monsignor Jefferson Wicks. Josh Brolin’s cocksure attitude and cocky swagger give the audience all the ammunition to feel a certain way, while providing enough misdirection in every other corner to maintain a level of mystery.
With this third film, Johnson has ensured that each of his Knives Out Mysteries has an incredibly stacked, talented cast and one of the best scripts of their respective release years. This particular screenplay is nearly as good as the first film, as it features expert balancing of its themes, some of the funniest humor of the trilogy, and a reveal that is both satisfying and rewarding. Any film that tackles organized religion is going to be a labor, but Johnson handles it tactfully. The characters are strong-willed and highly opinionated as always, but they espouse their beliefs with full conviction and logic. They argue from opposing sides of the aisle, but all come prepared to defend their stance. It is expertly done—never straying too far into the scorn and criticism aisle but still maintaining a healthy amount of respect and reverence.
Daniel Craig has been the shining beacon of Knives Out since 2019. Released in the thick of his tenure as James Bond, I think Benoit Blanc did a lot to revitalize his career and remind all of us that this dude can really act. Blanc might have a smaller amount of screen time here than the other two, but his role is hardly diminished. The film really takes its time in the first third, establishing the array of characters before inserting everyone’s favorite agnostic detective. Johnson really cooked up some heaters for Craig this go around; these three performances as Blanc will go down as some of his best work in all of his career.
Wake Up Dead Man manages to surprise with its humor, expertly woven mystery, and poignant commentary on contemporary religion. It shouldn’t be surprising that this turned out so great, considering the quality Johnson has poured into the last two. Yet as I sat in a nearly sold-out theater, I couldn’t help but be swept up in the excitement and fell head over heels for Knives Out all over again. I’ll be interested to see where Johnson turns to next, and if he will continue to write these big ensemble pieces or if he’s going to downsize and really challenge himself in a different arena.
