Writer-director Rian Johnson’s fascination with storytelling has always been the secret weapon behind his Knives Out franchise. Each Benoit Blanc mystery isn’t just a whodunit—it’s a meta-exploration of how stories are built, twisted, and revealed. With Wake Up Dead Man, Johnson delivers his boldest entry yet, blending a tightly wound murder mystery with big thematic questions about faith, truth, and deception. The result? A film that’s as thought-provoking as it is wildly entertaining—and easily one of the best thrillers of the year.
Story
Set in a quiet Catholic parish in New York, the film opens with a shocking death. Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), a charismatic yet controversial figure with deep family ties to the church, is found dead under seemingly impossible circumstances. Suspicion immediately falls on Father Jud Duplenticy (Paul Mescal), a compassionate but fiery young priest recently transferred from Albany who openly opposed Wicks’ unorthodox leadership.
Enter Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), the silver-tongued detective with an unshakable belief in facts over faith. Convinced that Father Jud isn’t the killer, Blanc keeps him close as the investigation spirals into a web of secrets involving the parish’s loyal secretary (Glenn Close), a brooding groundskeeper (Thomas Haden Church), a faith-healing hopeful (Cailee Spaeny), a bitter doctor (Jeremy Renner), an alt-right influencer (Andrew Scott), and a high-powered lawyer (Kerry Washington) with political ambitions for her son (Daryl McCormack).
As layers peel back, the mystery becomes as much about belief—religious and otherwise—as it is about catching a murderer.
Performances
Daniel Craig delivers his most nuanced Benoit Blanc performance to date, balancing charm, wit, and a growing internal conflict as his steadfast belief in objective truth is tested. Paul Mescal is magnetic as Father Jud, radiating both vulnerability and conviction. Josh Brolin’s Wicks crackles with swaggering charisma, while Glenn Close masterfully infuses the church secretary with equal parts devotion and suspicion.
Andrew Scott and Cailee Spaeny stand out in smaller but memorable roles, and the ensemble chemistry is a testament to Johnson’s knack for casting.
Behind the Scenes
Visually, Wake Up Dead Man is stunning. Johnson collaborates once again with cinematographer Steve Yedlin to craft a gothic yet luminous world, where beams of sunlight through stained glass punctuate tense moments and church shadows hide simmering secrets. The framing often mirrors the moral contrasts at the story’s core—what we choose to reveal, and what we keep buried.
Thematically, Johnson leans deep into the idea of faith—not as a sermon, but as a metaphor for the narratives we construct for ourselves. Whether it’s religion, personal ideals, or misguided loyalties, every character clings to their version of the truth.
Final Verdict
Wake Up Dead Man is more than just a clever puzzle box. It’s a layered, thematically rich mystery that challenges its audience to examine the beliefs—both sacred and personal—that shape our lives. With razor-sharp writing, top-tier performances, and some of the most visually dynamic sequences in the series, Rian Johnson proves once again that in the realm of cinematic whodunits, he is unmatched.
Overall, Wake Up Dead Man is a gripping, intelligent, and visually arresting mystery with something deeper to say that cannot be given a miss.
