A new chapter in the Rian Johnson Knives Out Mystery series is set to debut, with Daniel Craig returning as detective Benoit Blanc in a darker story titled Wake Up Dead Man. Launching in select theaters on November 26 before streaming on Netflix December 12, 2025, the film promises to challenge both viewers and characters with themes of belief and guilt.
Return to a More Introspective Mystery in a Rural Setting
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery places Craig’s famous sleuth in a small, rural hamlet, where a shocking murder unsettles a tight-knit community. Josh O’Connor, known for his recent role in Challengers, joins the ensemble as Jud Duplenticy, a young priest called to assist Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, played by Josh Brolin. When tragedy strikes their congregation, Blanc teams up with local police chief Geraldine Scott, portrayed by Mila Kunis, to solve a crime that presses against the boundaries of faith and reason.
Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc stands firm as the narrative center, blending his trademark wit with empathy, always offering a human touch amidst suspicion and chaos. O’Connor serves as the emotional anchor, as Jud faces a crisis of faith and grapples with the moral ambiguity surrounding him—an internal struggle that parallels Blanc’s pursuit of the truth. The new direction for this installment aims to peel back layers on what people believe and the weight of conscience in the aftermath of violence.
A Notable Cast and Acclaimed Collaborators
The Rian Johnson Knives Out Mystery universe continues to attract stellar ensembles. Alongside Craig and O’Connor, the film features celebrated actors Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Daryl McCormack, Andrew Scott, Thomas Haden Church, Jeremy Renner, and Cailee Spaeny. Johnson reunites with core collaborators such as Ram Bergman (producing with T-Street), Rick Heinrichs (production design), Steve Yedlin (cinematography), Nathan Johnson (music), and Jenny Eagan (costume design). Much of the action unfolds within an ancient stone church, where candle-lit interiors and shadowy graveyards create a gothic yet authentic backdrop.
Referencing influences like Edgar Allan Poe and the oldest Gothic thrillers, Rian Johnson roots the story in tradition while bringing a fresh edge through his signature cleverness. Themes of sin, secrecy, and redemption are woven throughout the film, revealing that deductions—sharp and timely—can bring light even to the darkest human dilemmas.
“that Johnson has captured lightning in a bottle three times in a row.”
– Ross Bonaime, Collider
Release Dates and Ongoing Excitement
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will begin showing in theaters on November 26 and will be available to stream on Netflix starting December 12, 2025. The film is positioned to be a major topic during Collider’s Winter Preview Event, which highlights anticipated television and cinema releases for the upcoming season.
With its stacked cast, trusted creative team, and deeper exploration into the psychological landscape of its characters, the latest Rian Johnson Knives Out Mystery could redefine expectations for the celebrated crime series. Fans of intricate plots and character-driven suspense will likely be eager to see how Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc unravels this latest twisted mystery.
