It might be coincidental, but in the same week as the release of the Agatha Christie 4K box set of her classic 1970s murder-mystery movies, with massive stars as suspects, we get the third in Rian Johnson’s Christie-style thriller, which started with Knives Out back in 2019 and continued with Glass Onion in 2022. Wake Up Dead Man is a darker affair than the previous film, but that doesn’t stop it from being tons of fun and proving that Benoit Blanc is the best detective creation since Hercule Poirot.

Monsignor Jefferson Wick is a divisive priest who runs a small village church and has a small but faithful following, while his sermons viciously attack. Father Jud is sent to keep an eye, but he becomes the prime suspect when Wick is murdered in an impossible case that even baffles the expert private detective Benoit Blanc.

Johnson, who also wrote the script, has now honed the skill of creating this highly complicated thriller, with so many details to keep your eyes open throughout. You never know where a clue or something you miss might be, which will lead you to the final answer. Where Johnson’s writing really works is that he manages to mix themes that are never heavy-handed but are there for all to see.

Basing the film in the world of religion, Johnson has plenty to say about the extreme approach to preaching, as well as subtle digs at what is happening in the world today, which seems to be the way of most directors and writers producing work right now.

As a writer, Johnson is smart enough to understand that he doesn’t need to preach his opinions; he just wants to bring an entertaining slice of old-fashioned whodunit, throwing in red herrings, twists, and turns to leave you giddy as you try to find the suspect. Here, he also introduces Father Jud, a character who steals the focus from everyone. He is the narrator of this crime, taking centre stage from the outset, and Blanc doesn’t come into the picture for almost an hour. When the detective does appear, we have a new dynamic double act that really carries the film forward.

Adding a gothic flavour to the piece, just as you think you’ve got a grip of the plot, something happens that sends it in another direction. This one is more than just a murder, but a complex web of deceit, fixation of a man who preaches the wrong thing, as well as greed. There is always something to find interesting within the story. The Thursday Murder Club take heed. This is how you do it. Social commentary, thrills, twists, and plenty of genuine laughs. Plus characters that may look paper-thin but have so much more depth.

The cast sparkle, all looking like they are having the time of their lives, from Andrew Scott as a failed sci-fi writer, to Jeremy Renner as a depressed doctor. Josh Brolin is allowed to go full-throttle as Wicks, addressing his flock with the same attack as a Shakespearean actor, giving it everything he’s got. Glenn Close is equally good as Martha, the clerk of the church who sees all and knows all, yet still manages to be as creepy as they come.

As the prime suspect, Father Jud (Josh O’Connor), in his fourth film playing an American this year, is superb. He brings a mix of constant nervousness, bubbling anger (as a young man, he killed someone in a boxing match) and a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown and who is forced to join Blanc on this journey of discovery. Then we have Daniel Craig, who has now become Blanc, making him one of the few actors to have two extremely popular characters to his name. Donning a more extended hair-do and smart three-piece suit, he is just as smooth not only with his Southern accent, but also with his demeanour. Craig seems to relish the chance to be the most intelligent man in the room, and when he gets to announce who the killer is, he takes every opportunity to shine.

Wake Up Dead Man will please anyone who loves the Knives Out movies and those who just want to watch a smart, funny and topical film that at 2 hours 20, zips along at a great pace and leaves you smiling by the end. I don’t often ask for more, but I could do with another Blanc mystery.

4 out of 5

Director: Rian Johnson

Starring: Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, Thomas Haden Church, Jeffrey Wright, Annie Hamilton, James Faulkner.

Written by: Rian Johnson

Running Time: 144 mins

Cert: 12A

Release date: 26th November 2025 (Netflix 12th December 2025)