The eagerly awaited Daniel Craig Knives Out sequel, titled Wake Up Dead Man, keeps fans waiting as Craig’s character Benoit Blanc is absent for the first 40 minutes of the movie. Director Rian Johnson chose this structure to align with classic mystery traditions, giving the audience a fresh twist on how the story unfolds.
A Return to Classic Whodunnit Storytelling
Writer-director Rian Johnson shared that the upcoming film adopts a more classic murder mystery format, reminiscent of Agatha Christie novels. He explained,
“It’s [got] a much more traditional murder mystery structure than the first two. I mean, this is kind of how most of Agatha Christie’s books work,”
Johnson said to GamesRadar+ while promoting the limited theatrical release. According to him, while the previous two films broke from convention, this sequel introduces all suspects first, the crime next, and only then the famous detective.
Johnson further elaborated on his approach:
“In the first act, you meet all the suspects, then the murder happens, and then the detective shows up. So this was kind of going back to basics; I thought it could be interesting to do that.”
– Rian Johnson, Writer-Director
Building the Foundation Before Benoit Blanc’s Appearance
To craft a story with more depth, Johnson dedicated the first act to establishing the film’s tone and the central character, Rev. Jud Duplenticy, played by Josh O’Connor. Johnson explained,
“But, also, because the theme of this movie is a little bit more complex – or, not complex, but I just really wanted to get it right in terms of nailing the tone and nailing Jud’s character, what religion was to him – having that first act to take that time and really set the table, not just with the suspects and with Jud’s point-of-view? It felt like it was worth it. And I thought as long as I can get an actor who can carry this movie for the first 40 minutes, so people aren’t saying, ‘Wait, where the hell is Daniel?’ I’ll be fine.”
– Rian Johnson, Writer-Director
By focusing on the suspects and their interwoven histories, the movie embraces ambiguity and tension, leaving viewers anxious for Blanc’s entrance and building anticipation for the unraveling of the central mystery.
Introducing Rev. Jud Duplenticy as the Temporary Focus
Stepping in for Daniel Craig’s absence, Josh O’Connor takes on the crucial role of Rev. Jud Duplenticy, described as a guilt-ridden ex-boxer turned priest. The story follows Duplenticy as he partners with Benoit Blanc after being accused of murdering Monsignor Wicks, played by Josh Brolin. Set in a small-town parish in upstate New York, Duplenticy struggles under the supervision of his superior, Wicks, whose controversial approach to running the church and treatment of the congregation quickly puts them at odds.
The film explores how Jud’s past and his visible distaste for Wicks make him a prime suspect when Wicks is found dead, launching a journey that tests both Jud’s faith and his pursuit of truth.
Director Rian Johnson on Casting for Audience Connection
Johnson emphasized the importance of casting actors who could captivate viewers before Blanc’s arrival:
“[Josh is] just the best, man. With each of these movies – the first, with Ana de Armas, the second with Janelle [Monáe], and now with Josh – you know, they all have a protagonist who’s not Blanc, and the essential thing of that is it has to be somebody who the audience is immediately on board with. Having seen the myriad of other work that Josh had done, and the amount of range that he had, and then also honestly, when we met, I was just like, ‘This is somebody I want to be on the movie set with. I think that’s going to translate to someone the audience wants to spend the movie with.’”
– Rian Johnson, Writer-Director
This statement highlights the franchise’s tradition of centering each film on a relatable protagonist while Benoit Blanc remains the connecting force. Previous leads Ana de Armas and Janelle Monáe were similarly tasked with drawing audiences into the story before Craig’s detective takes the spotlight.
Details on Plot, Themes, and Upcoming Release
Wake Up Dead Man promises to bring back classic elements of suspense and layered storytelling, focusing on character depths and complex motivations. The sequel’s plot reportedly sees Daniel Craig’s Blanc called upon to unravel a case described as “holy” and “unsolvable,” with themes of faith, morality, and justice at its core.
The movie is set to debut in cinemas on November 26, with a global Netflix release following on December 12. As anticipation builds, fans of the Daniel Craig Knives Out sequel can expect an intense and intricate narrative designed to hold their attention, even in the lead’s absence.
Significance for the Knives Out Franchise
This creative storytelling approach both honors genre tradition and offers a new dynamic for the Knives Out series. By delaying Benoit Blanc’s arrival, Rian Johnson challenges expectations, creating suspense and an emotional investment in the new protagonist before the famed detective steps in. The film’s structure, cast, and evolving narrative promise to shape audience reactions, potentially raising the bar for modern crime mysteries well beyond this release.
