'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery': All You Need To Know About The Murder And The Suspects

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery marks a shift in tone and setting for Rian Johnson's much-loved Knives Out franchise. However, before the film premiered at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, Rian had teased that this film would be extremely different from the previous two instalments, telling the audience, "We're going back to church".

And, he has served exactly that. The result is a darker, more gothic mystery, which, while still funny, delves into deeper themes of faith and human fallibility. While there is still time for the film to be released and for the audience to watch it, let us take a look at everything there is to know about the film.

What is the setup of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery?

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is set in the fictional town of Chimney Rock, New York, and revolves around 'Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude'. For the unversed, it is a Catholic parish led by the charismatic and manipulative, 'Monsignor Jefferson Wicks' (Josh Brolin). However, things take a turn when 'Father Jud', a former boxer with a troubled past, is reassigned to this parish after an altercation with a deacon at his previous post.

The film will follow the story of how 'Jud's' values are grounded in redemption, shaped by his own past struggles. On the other hand, 'Monsignor' thrives on shame and control, leading to a clash that sets the stage for a greater mystery: 'Monsignor' is dead, and 'Benoit Blanc' is here to find out who killed him. 

Meet the suspects of 'Monsignor Jefferson Wicks' Murder

As 'Benoit Blanc' arrives at the scene, the biggest question is: who is the potential killer? Well, he makes a rather long list, including 'Martha', who is the church's long-time servant, and 'Samson', the loyal groundskeeper. Or could it be the bitter doctor, 'Nat Sharp', whose misogyny was nurtured by 'Jefferson' or the lawyer burdened with the family secrets named 'Vera Draven'? As 'Benoit' tries to figure that out, he also finds 'Lee Ross', a disgruntled sci-fi writer and a prodigious cellist, who was desperate for a miracle from 'Jefferson', but could he have killed him?

How will 'Benoit Blanc' find the killer?

As the story evolves, 'Benoit' is met with more suspects than he anticipated. However, while central to the mystery-solving process, he takes a more reserved role in the film. On the other hand, the emotional heart of Knives Out lies with the journey of 'Father Jud' as he struggles between faith, anger, and the desire for redemption, which drives the story forward and makes him the emotional core of the narrative.

The story explores his evolving relationship with 'Jefferson' and his search for spiritual meaning serves as the film's main focus, with the detective himself playing a more observational role. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery focuses more on the questions about faith and human vulnerability than the signature sharp wit and intricate plotting. While fans may wonder why Rian would make such a sharp turn from the set tone of the franchise, he revealed that he and Craig had discussed the idea of a darker, more grounded narrative, representing a natural evolution in the franchise.

Nonetheless, it may be the last instalment for a while. As Rian explained in a 2023 interview, Netflix's USD 450 million deal only covered two sequels, and he has no current plans for a fourth. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will hit theatres in November 2025 before streaming on Netflix on December 12, 2025.

Are you excited for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery? Let us know.

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