Rian Johnson returns with new Knives Out mystery, as Netflix announced during its Tudum event the arrival of
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,”
the third film in Johnson’s acclaimed whodunit franchise. Scheduled to debut on Netflix on December 12, the film brings Daniel Craig back as Benoit Blanc, the iconic detective, for another intricate investigation.
The highly anticipated sequel follows on the success of Knives Out (2019) and Glass Onion (2022), both of which became critical favorites and audience hits. Although much of the plot remains a secret, the teaser trailer hints at a shift toward a darker atmosphere, with Benoit Blanc confronting perhaps his most threatening and shadowy assignment yet.
All-Star Ensemble Joins the Third Installment
True to the spirit of the series, the upcoming film assembles a remarkable cast. Alongside Daniel Craig, viewers will see performances from Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Daryl McCormack, and Josh Brolin. This group of actors promises to deliver the same dynamic chemistry and intrigue that fans expect from a Knives Out thriller.
Director Rian Johnson expressed appreciation for his recurring luck with remarkable performers:
“We’ve been very lucky with each of these movies to have gathered some of my favorite actors on the planet, and that’s absolutely the case here,”
Johnson said to Tudum.
“They’re also all lovely folks who get along, which is the dinner party aspect of it. When you’re making an ensemble movie like this, I think that’s key.”
-Rian Johnson, Director
Hints About the Story and Potential Franchise Expansion
The teaser stops short of revealing the main plot but assures fans that Benoit Blanc’s investigation will be his most dangerous so far. The series has often drawn comparisons to Agatha Christie, and with the upcoming release, the stakes for the detective appear more intense than ever before.
As curiosity builds over what comes next, the question of future films surfaced. Rian Johnson addressed the possibility of additional sequels:
“As long as Daniel [Craig] still wants to keep doing it and as long as we have an idea that, to us, feels not just like cranking another one out, but feels genuinely exciting and scary like, ‘Oh, wow, could we pull that off?’ I love the genre. It’s endlessly malleable, and so it holds endless possibilities,”
Johnson told Collider. -Rian Johnson, Director
However, Johnson hinted he may also explore stories outside of the mystery genre after this chapter, stating his interest in writing
“an original that’s not a mystery at all. It’s a totally different genre,”
adding an element of uncertainty to the franchise’s long-term trajectory. -Rian Johnson, Director
The Anticipation and Impact of Wake Up Dead Man
With its December 12 debut set, Wake Up Dead Man is positioned to draw global attention upon its release, bringing together prominent names like Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, and many more. The film’s darker tone and high-profile cast signal a fresh and daring direction for the Knives Out series, which has consistently kept viewers guessing with unpredictable narratives and sharp wit.
As audiences await more details and the official release, the film promises to capture both the charm and suspense of its predecessors while pushing Benoit Blanc into new, menacing territory. Netflix’s ongoing investment in the Knives Out universe demonstrates confidence in Johnson’s storytelling and the enduring appeal of an ensemble detective drama that continues to reinvent the murder mystery for a new generation.
