A Grimmer Turn for "Knives Out" With "Wake Up Dead Man"
Complete rundown of the upcoming crime-mystery flick, 'Knives Out' - Unveiling the particulars of the upcoming "Knives Out" installment
The enduring "Knives Out" series, revitalized by Rian Johnson (51) six years ago, remains faithful to its roots in numerous aspects, from cast to release date, and from Daniel Craig (57) to title inspiration. Yet, the third film featuring detective Benoit Blanc seems to diverge in one notable area - "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery".
Reveal and Title Explanation
Netflix unveiled the official release date for "Wake Up Dead Man" during "Tudum 2025" over the weekend - it's set for December 12 this year. The three-year pattern remains intact: the initial film, "Knives Out - Family Matters", dropped in 2019, followed by "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery" in 2022, and now part three to round off 2025.
The title isn't arbitrary; for the first movie, Johnson drew inspiration from Radiohead ("Knives Out"), and for the second, the Beatles ("Glass Onion"). "Wake Up Dead Man" is also a song title by a renowned band. In 1997, U2 released a track of the same name on their "Pop" album.
Another Star-Studded Lineup
Much like the previous two installments, Daniel Craig (57) is the sole constant in the cast of "Wake Up Dead Man". The film boasts an illustrious ensemble, featuring Marvel icons Jeremy Renner and Josh Brolin, along with Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Mila Kunis, Thomas Haden Church, "Sherlock" adversary Andrew Scott, and "The Crown's" Josh O'Connor.
The Twist: A Darker Path for Blanc
Although the first two "Knives Out" films are filled with murder and chaos, there is an element of comedic levity. Some fans were divided over the sequel's brightness, finding it jarring compared to the original film. "Wake Up Dead Man" might take a different route, plunging into darkness.
An article on the official Netflix Tudum website indicates this shift in tone, stating that, although part three retains Johnson's signature style, "this time a darker tone is struck than in the previous films".
The film’s teaser trailer implies a more somber narrative, with Blanc delving into a sacred setting, surrounded by suspect priests and at times even in a cemetery. It seems Johnson sees "Wake Up Dead Man" as his modern rendition of Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose".
- Benoit Blanc
- Daniel Craig
- Rian Johnson
- Netflix
- Josh O'Connor
- Weekend
Insights:
- The third installment of the "Knives Out" franchise, "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery", is expected to have a darker and more gothic tone compared to its predecessors.
- This darker tone is a change from the more lighthearted and comedic elements found in the first two films.
- The potential setting of a church and the inclusion of religious themes suggest a mystery that is more serious and potentially supernatural.
- The plot of "Wake Up Dead Man" may delve deeper into themes of morality and spirituality, creating a complex puzzle that could be a departure from the more conventional family dynamics and social commentary of the earlier films.
♪ I'm gonna be a star ♪, the Beatles' famous tune inspired Rian Johnson's second "Knives Out" movie, "Glass Onion". Curiously, for the third installation, "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery", Johnson appears to have found inspiration in yet another renowned band, U2, who released a song with the same title in 1997. In this upcoming Netflix production, set to release on December 12, 2025, Daniel Craig's detectable character, Benoit Blanc, will be entwined in a complex mystery that seems to deviate from the lightheartedness of previous films, taking a darker, more somber path characteristic of Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose".
