Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) is the third film in Rian Johnson’s acclaimed Knives Out series, once again starring Daniel Craig as the eccentric Southern detective Benoit Blanc. While Johnson has kept most plot details under wraps, he has teased that this will be the “wildest and darkest” entry yet, pushing the series into more gothic territory compared to the satirical tones of the first two films.
The title itself, Wake Up Dead Man, hints at religious or gothic undertones—perhaps centering around themes of inheritance, legacy, or a death that refuses to stay buried. Unlike Knives Out (2019), which dissected family greed, and Glass Onion (2022), which skewered tech-era egos, this installment reportedly blends classic whodunnit elements with a darker, Southern Gothic or noir-inspired aesthetic.
Benoit Blanc will return as the anchor, unraveling a new tangle of lies, secrets, and eccentric suspects. The ensemble cast has not been officially revealed, but the series’ tradition of gathering a high-profile, eclectic group of stars will continue, with Rian Johnson confirming he’s written the mystery to feature some of his boldest, most dramatic characters yet.
The film will stream on Netflix in 2025 following its theatrical debut, with Johnson again writing and directing. Like the first two entries, viewers can expect sharp dialogue, red herrings, satirical jabs at wealth and power, and Blanc’s signature mix of charm and deduction.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) promises a darker, moodier twist on the whodunnit while staying true to the series’ blend of suspense, humor, and cultural commentary—cementing the Knives Out mysteries as one of the most inventive franchises of the decade.