“Wake Up Deadman: Knives Out Mystery” Trailer

The trailer for Netflix’s “Wake Up Deadman: Knives Out Mystery” features stars like Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Kerry Washington, and Jeremy Renner, all under the direction of Rian Johnson.

Who doesn’t love a good murder mystery? It’s one of those genres that really keeps you thinking. As viewers, we’re not just passive recipients; we’re often trying to piece the puzzle together while the action unfolds. It’s kind of engaging, isn’t it?

The “Knives Out” series really breathed new life into this somewhat niche genre back in 2019. With each installment, audiences can expect a blend of humor, unexpected twists, and a fantastic ensemble cast. And Netflix’s latest offering is no exception.

Daniel Craig is back as detective Benoit Blanc, showcasing his Southern charm and a distinctive accent. This time, he finds himself in the fictional town of Chimney Rock, New York, at a church managed by Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, played by Josh Brolin.

Wicks carries an amusing mix of charisma and intimidation, delivering fiery sermons that might scare off the more timid parishioners. Yet, he still seems to have a loyal following, including his right-hand woman Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close), groundskeeper Samson Holt (Thomas Haden Church), town physician Dr. Nat Sharpe (Jeremy Renner), and strict lawyer Vera Draven (Kerry Washington), along with her adopted son Cy (Darryl McCormack), best-selling author Lee Roth (Andrew Scott), and Simone Vivant (Cailee Spaeny), a concert cellist facing challenges.

The calm at the church is shaken by the arrival of Reverend Judd Duprentici (Josh O’Connor), a former boxer on a quest for redemption in the priesthood. Wicks’ welcome isn’t exactly warm, greeting the new priest somewhat gruffly.

Things heat up when Wicks ends up dead, and, well, many people had reasons to want him gone. Detective Brann brings Pastor Judd and Police Chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis) into the mix to investigate the murder.

This third installment in the “Knives Out” saga takes on a darker tone, yet it still manages to infuse humor throughout. While it may offer an improvement over the previous film’s lighter tone, capturing the freshness of the first “Knives Out” is quite the challenge.

Writer and director Rian Johnson, who has helmed all three films, skillfully crafts a world that balances intensity with absurdity. Interestingly, Blanc doesn’t even make his entrance for about 35 minutes, which gives Johnson a chance to fully establish the setting and character backgrounds.

Craig seems to revel in portraying the slightly over-the-top Bran, delivering humor in his role. Still, a standout is O’Connor, who breathes life into the narrative as the new priest assisting with the investigation. Brolin and Close also deliver noteworthy performances.

Verdict:

“Wake Up Deadman” offers a compelling, gothic take on the “Knives Out” franchise, reinforcing its status as one of Netflix’s standout film series. Johnson truly excels at crafting engaging whodunits, especially with Craig and this talented ensemble. If you didn’t catch it in theaters, perhaps it’s time to grab some popcorn and enjoy.

★★★1/2 — Stream now

“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” is rated PG-13 due to violent content, gory images, strong language, some crude sexual references, and smoking. Its runtime is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, and it is currently streaming on Netflix.