Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) Movie Review NO SPOILERS: Daniel Craig, Mila Kunis, Josh O’Connor, Andrew Scott, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Kerry Washington

Plot

Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is summoned to a small, atmospheric parish in upstate New York to investigate the death of priest, Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin).

But the story centers on Father Jud (Josh O’Connor), a young, former-boxer priest who is the prime suspect after he’s caught on camera threatening to kill the Monsignor.

Wicks is found dead in a locked-room scenario immediately following a vitriolic Good Friday sermon. What follows is a bizarre investigation involving a missing diamond, a town doctor struggling with addiction (Jeremy Renner), and a church administrator with a century of secrets (Glenn Close).

The Review:

• Josh O’Connor: While Daniel Craig is FANTASTIC as always, this movie belongs to O’Connor. He plays Father Jud with such a raw, human sensitivity that he effectively becomes the film’s protagonist, leaving Blanc to act as the eccentric mentor.
• The Atmosphere: Rian Johnson traded the bright sun of Greece for ‘Gothic Horror’ vibes — mossy cemeteries, rich green forests, and shadowy stone cathedrals. It’s the most visually stunning film in the trilogy. And IT WORKS.
• Cy Draven: That’s Daryl McCormack. He plays a far-right social media grifter who uses the Monsignor’s sermons to build a digital cult. He’s the character you’ll love to hate. Draven is an ambitious statesman who views the church solely as a ladder to political power. I think he already lost an election. His lack of actual faith makes his manipulation of the congregation all the more chilling. Sadly, people like him are VERY COMMON today.

Summary

Wake Up Dead Man is a profound exploration of The Weaponization of Faith, arguing that the most dangerous monsters aren’t demons, but the righteous who use shame and fear to consolidate power. By contrasting the fire-and-brimstone brutality of Monsignor Wicks with the messy, empathetic priesthood of Father Jud, Rian Johnson suggests that true redemption IS NOT FOUND in perfect adherence to doctrine, but in the radical act of welcoming OUTSIDERS and SINNERS.

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