Benoit Blanc faces his most chilling investigation yet in
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,”
arriving in theaters next week, as Rian Johnson draws inspiration from some of the darkest works in the history of the genre. Exploring the roots of his creative influences, Johnson discusses how figures like Edgar Allan Poe and John Dickson Carr helped shape his unique approach to this new chapter, providing a rich context for the Rian Johnson mystery influences present in the film.
Blanc’s Latest Case Delves into Gloomier Terrain
Launching in select theaters on November 26 and on Netflix beginning December 12,
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”
shifts the tone of the acclaimed series. The film takes a locked-room murder format and infuses it with literary darkness, marking a significant tonal evolution for Benoit Blanc, the character made famous by Daniel Craig. This story unfolds in an upstate New York parish, where a member of the community dies in mysterious circumstances, engaging Craig’s detective in a seemingly impossible investigation.
Classic Authors Shape the Film’s Mysterious Atmosphere
At a press event, writer and director Rian Johnson detailed his influences, underlining the importance of pioneering figures in the mystery genre.
“
[Edgar Allan] Poe is actually widely regarded as being one of the real originators of the classic mystery with Murders in the Rue Morgue,
”
Johnson stated during the conference. He continued,
“
But then, more than that, tonally, John Dickson Carr. I mean, we’ve mentioned him like 38 times in the movies. He’s a big influence in the movie, and he tonally used Poe as a launching pad.
”
Further, Johnson illuminated why John Dickson Carr serves as a particular inspiration, explaining,
“
He writes these kinds of puzzle-like impossible crimes. More than that, he always veers to the edge of the supernatural in terms of you thinking how they could’ve been done. He plays with horror. He plays with tone. He has just a delicious, just richness to his writing that is very evocative of Poe.
”
This convergence of gothic atmosphere, supernatural overtones, and puzzle-solving lies at the heart of the new film’s mood.
Balancing Dark Influences with Genre Expectations
Despite these heavy literary influences, Johnson clarified that this installment remains distinct from full-fledged horror, noting contributions from other classic authors as well.
“
But also, I mean, there’s elements of it in Agatha Christie, too,
”
he commented. Johnson referenced Christie’s iconic “And Then There Were None” as a model, highlighting its slasher-like progression:
“
I think Christie’s best book for me is And Then There Were None, which is basically a horror novel, and takes place on this incredibly atmospheric, craggy island. It’s really a slasher film, where everyone is just getting killed off one by one, and that’s a very, very creepy book. So I think that tone is something that has been in the roots of the genre since the very start, so it felt like it’d be fun to play with.
”
From Theme to Plot: The Film’s Creative Genesis
Johnson described how his exploration of genre themes began with mood and deeper ideas, rather than just plot mechanics.
“
It doesn’t usually even really start with the mechanics of the murder,
”
he explained, adding,
“
It starts, usually, more with tone, with theme. In this case, it really got started because I wanted to write something about religion. When I started getting into John Dickson Carr and reading more impossible crime novels and lock-door mysteries, the notion of those two things fitting together like two gears and working in tandem, that is kind of what got me started on it.
”
The intersection of religious themes with puzzle-like mysteries helped fuel the script’s development.
Star-Studded Ensemble Cast Returns for Suspense
The film brings back Daniel Craig as detective Benoit Blanc, surrounded by a striking ensemble. Cast members include Josh O’Connor (from “Challengers”), Glenn Close (“Fatal Attraction”), Josh Brolin (“Avengers: Endgame”), Mila Kunis (“Black Swan”), Jeremy Renner (“The Avengers”), Kerry Washington (“Django Unchained”), Andrew Scott (“Sherlock”), Cailee Spaeny (“Alien: Romulus”), Daryl McCormack (“Twisters”), and Thomas Haden Church (“Spider-Man 3”). Each actor adds dimension to the investigation set within the New York parish community.
Anticipation Builds Ahead of Release
As audiences prepare for the arrival of
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,”
the film’s interplay of classic and modern influences has generated much curiosity. By drawing on the work of mystery giants such as Poe, Carr, and Christie, Rian Johnson positions this project as both a continuation and a deepening of the genre. With its dark setting, intricate plotlines, and high-caliber cast, the movie aims not only to thrill but also to unsettle viewers, hinting at the enduring appeal and adaptability of mystery storytelling.
