Wake Up Dead Man: Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc Returns For A Darker, More Dangerous Mystery

Good news mystery fans! Netflix just pulled back the curtain on Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. This film is the third one in the murder mystery series. It brings back Daniel Craig as the famous Southern detective Benoit Blanc. The new movie will be out on December 12. This means we will get to see our favorite detective solve another tricky case very soon.

The teaser trailer shows Daniel Craig’s voice saying "The impossible crime" in a spooky way. Dramatic scenes of a church appear on screen. This first look hints that things are going to be a lot darker this time around. While the exact plot has been kept a secret, the short description says "Benoit Blanc returns in his most dangerous case yet." That alone tells me we are in for a wild ride. After the twisty fun of Glass Onion, I am ready for whatever Rian Johnson has planned next.

Rian Johnson, who created and directed the previous films, is back for this one. He is also known for his work on American Fiction and Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi. He is writing and directing Wake Up Dead Man. This is great news because his unique style is a huge part of why these Movies are so good. Knowing he is at the helm makes me feel good about the story we will get.

A Star-Studded Cast Joins Benoit Blanc For What Might Be His Toughest Challenge Yet

From Oscar Winners To Fan Favorites, This Ensemble Promises Plenty Of Intrigue

As with the other Knives Out movies, this one comes with a truly packed cast of stars. Kerry Washington and Josh Brolin join Daniel Craig. But the list does not stop there. Cailee Spaeny, Josh O’Connor, Mila Kunis, Andrew Scott, Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Thomas Haden Church, Daryl McCormack, Annie Hamilton, Kerry Frances, and Marcus Edward Bond are also in the movie. That is a lot of big names for one mystery. It makes you wonder how they will all fit into the story. It also makes you think about who might be the killer or the victim.

We know a few details about some of the roles. Brolin and O’Connor will both play priests. Kunis is playing a police chief known as G. Scott. Seeing all these actors come together promises some fun performances. Johnson, Brolin, Renner, Spaeny, Washington, McCormack, and Kunis were at Netflix’s Tudum live event to talk about the film. Glenn Close even appeared on video, joking that she was "stuck in traffic." Daniel Craig himself came on stage wearing cool blue-tinted sunglasses. The excitement from the cast seems pretty high, which always makes me even more eager to see the movie.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is produced by Johnson and Ram Bergman’s production company T-Street. Netflix is handling the film’s distribution. This is part of a deal Netflix has with Johnson for two sequels. This means Wake Up Dead Man is the last film in that first deal. This makes us wonder if there will be more movies in the series after this one. Rian Johnson has talked about the future of the series, saying he wants to keep making them as long as he has a good idea and Daniel Craig is still willing to play Benoit Blanc. He sounds like he is not burnt out on the genre at all.

Rian Johnson's Vision For The Future Of The Knives Out Film Series

Exploring The Director's Plans For Keeping Benoit Blanc's Mysteries Fresh And Exciting

Rian Johnson has shared some interesting thoughts about what keeps him making these films. He told Collider that he will continue as long as Daniel Craig wants to keep going and if he has an idea that feels "genuinely exciting and scary." He does not want to just crank out another movie. He loves the mystery genre because it is so flexible. It can hold endless possibilities. This means he can try new things with each film. He mentioned that Wake Up Dead Man will be very different from Glass Onion, "like night and day." This sounds like he is really trying to keep the series from feeling stale.

Johnson loves that the mystery genre allows him to explore a "whole tonal spectrum." He compares it to writers like Agatha Christie. This suggests we might see different moods and styles in future Blanc adventures. The third movie will likely raise the stakes even more. Glass Onion was called a "bigger, showier, even more elaborately multi-faceted shell-game mystery" than the first Knives Out. One critic said Craig’s performance was great. He also noted the suspects were interesting but suggested "next time the knives should cut deeper." It sounds like Johnson is listening to these calls for more intensity.

The title Wake Up Dead Man also has a story behind it. It comes from a U2 song from their 1997 album Pop. Johnson explained that the phrase stuck with him from early on. He also noted its roots in American folk music. He thinks the U2 album is underrated and that the song is perfect for the title. This little detail shows how much thought Johnson puts into every part of these films, even the titles. It is another piece of the puzzle that makes these mysteries so enjoyable to watch.

Comparing Wake Up Dead Man To Its Predecessors And Other Mystery Stories

How The New Film Aims To Stand Out While Still Honoring Its Whodunit Roots

The first Knives Out was a surprise hit at the box office. Then Glass Onion arrived almost three years ago. Now, Wake Up Dead Man is on its way. Each movie has tried to offer something a little different. The first film was a classic whodunit set in a gothic mansion. Glass Onion took us to a bright, lavish Greek island. Now with the teaser showing a church and a darker tone, it feels like we are headed somewhere new again. This constant change of setting and mood is a smart way to keep the audience guessing. It also keeps the creative team interested.

Johnson also works on the Peacock mystery series Poker Face. That show stars Natasha Lyonne. While both projects involve a smart detective, they have some key differences. Poker Face is more like the old Columbo TV series. It reveals the killer at the start. Then it focuses on how the detective figures out the crime. Benoit Blanc's mysteries, on the other hand, keep you guessing until the very end. This difference means Johnson gets to play with different styles of mystery storytelling, which keeps his work fresh and exciting for him and for us.

Filming for Wake Up Dead Man started in June 2024 in London and wrapped up in summer 2024. This fast production schedule shows how dedicated the team is. The focus on an "impossible crime" and a darker tone might mean we see a side of Benoit Blanc we have not seen before. Maybe this case will push him to his limits. It certainly feels like the film is aiming for a more serious feel than the previous, often more lighthearted, entries. But even with a darker tone, I am sure it will still have plenty of Rian Johnson’s clever writing and witty humor.

What The New Movie Means For The Future Of The Knives Out Franchise

Looking Ahead To More Mysteries And Why This Series Continues To Captivate Audiences

The fact that Daniel Craig is still excited to play Benoit Blanc is a great sign for the future of the series. He seems to really enjoy the role, and that comes through in his performances. His wry expressions and Southern accent are part of what makes the character so memorable. As long as he is willing to put on the accent and solve more impossible crimes, I think fans will keep watching.

The Knives Out movies have a knack for bringing together amazing casts. They put them in fun, tricky situations. This formula clearly works. It keeps audiences coming back. The mix of mystery, humor, and social commentary has resonated with many. I think this series has a lot of life left in it. Even after Wake Up Dead Man, I hope Rian Johnson continues to find new ways to surprise us. I am already looking forward to whatever impossible crime Benoit Blanc takes on next.