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Former boxer Jud Duplenticy (Josh O'Connor) shifts away from violence to pursue a life of faith by becoming a Catholic Priest, though he still cannot control his temper. After punching a rude deacon, Bishop Langstrom (Jeffrey Wright) moves Reverand Jud to upstate New York, working at a church alongside Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (John Brolin). Wicks becomes more volatile during his sermons, which drives away most attendees and only leaves a small, loyal group: town doctor Nat (Jeremy Renner), disabled cellist Simone (Cailee Spaeny), lawyer Vera (Kerry Washington), enthusiastic YouTuber Cy (Daryl McCormack), and best-selling author Lee (Andrew Scott), while Martha (Glenn Close) works as Wicks's dedicated right-hand man. After Wicks ends up dead with a knife in his back during the church's Good Friday service, everyone is quick to blame Reverand Jud, including local police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis). The case soon grabs the attention of detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who believes the police are pursuing an innocent man.
Wake Up Dead Man initially feels nothing like a Knives Out mystery. Blanc briefly appears in the movie's opening minutes but is otherwise absent for the first act, which delves into Jud arriving at the church, clashing with Wicks, becoming acquainted with the regular attendees, and dealing with simmering tensions, leading up to the murder. Aside from a handful of stray comedic beats - Wicks's graphic confessions about masturbation being the most memorable - the first third plays things relatively straight, leaning heavily into religious drama. However, Johnson takes too long to get anywhere, and the film's pacing issues begin here: the setup is sturdy but unnecessarily protracted.
Once Blanc arrives, the film snaps into sharper focus. His investigation is the most engaging and compelling stretch of Wake Up Dead Man, buoyed by a typically eccentric ensemble. Johnson's casting remains impeccable: Josh Brolin brings thunderous authority, Glenn Close is reliably commanding, and Thomas Haden Church steals scenes as the church's gruff groundskeeper. Andrew Scott, Jeremy Renner, Cailee Spaeny, and Kerry Washington all add texture to the mystery's shifting alliances, and it's a pleasure to see Daryl McCormack - who was such a charismatic standout in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande - in more movies. At the centre of it all, young Brit Josh O'Connor turns in a terrific performance, finding nuance in a character torn between faith, fury, and fear.
The mystery itself is layered and ambitious, with the third act introducing yet another twist that pushes Blanc's deductive powers to the limit. Johnson parcels out answers with care - even cheekily interrupting Blanc's trademark "reveal" speech - but indulges in several false endings. At 140 minutes, this is the longest Knives Out film, and it simply doesn't earn the runtime. The final stretch becomes especially baggy and overextended, disrupting the narrative flow just when the tension should be tightening. All the puzzle pieces eventually lock into place, but the journey meanders more than it should.
Johnson relies on his usual collaborators to help bring the picture to life, including cinematographer Steve Yedlin, who dials back the retro filmic look for something more straightforward. (Let's not forget that Knives Out had deliberate wobbling to emulate imperfect film projection.) The atmosphere is certainly thick, particularly during the shadowy third act, as a storm moves in at a crucial moment, giving the movie an almost horror-like feel. Nathan Johnson's score, meanwhile, deepens the sombre tone without overpowering the drama.
Wake Up Dead Man is a clever, competently mounted, and often gripping third instalment that demonstrates Johnson's refusal to coast on formula. However, its excesses - chiefly its bloated runtime and slow build - prevent it from matching the elegance and effervescence of Knives Out. It's a strong and memorable addition to the series, just not a definitive one.
6.7/10
