If Rian Johnson were to do nothing but give us more Knives Out sequels for the rest of his career, I’d be perfectly happy with that. Seriously, give me twenty of these movies. Johnson retains his crown as a master of the modern whodunnit with another tremendous Benoit Blanc mystery. Is Wake Up Dead Man a franchise best? Let’s investigate.
A great whodunnit needs to hook you, reeling you in as everything is gradually pieced together. Not only does Wake Up Dead Man have a gripping mystery that’ll keep your mind working overtime searching for clues, but it spends ample time setting the stage beforehand. It’s nearly 40 minutes until Benoit Blanc first appears on screen, and that time is expertly used to flesh out the ensemble of characters, leading up to the murder. Because it doesn’t rush right into the investigation, we’re given a chance to really invest in the story and characters, learning their traits, dynamics and possible motives.
This instalment is darker in tone than the two previous films, with elements of gothic horror and a narrative steeped in religion. Don’t worry, though, because it’s also every bit as playful, funny and twisty as you’d expect. Although it’s based around a Parish and explores religion in both a thematic and literal sense, Johnson doesn’t preach anything, nor does he make any low-blow jabs at either side of the belief system. The humour comes naturally, and is more character based, which stems from Johnson’s strongest screenplay yet. Sure, the final reveal is perhaps a bit long winded, but everything from dialogue to pacing to character development is razor sharp. Even if you think you’re on the right track to cracking this case, when the reveals start coming, I guarantee there are surprises you never saw coming.
While this instalment once again boasts an impressive roster of talent, not everyone gets a chance to shine as they have in the two previous films. This is less a collective ensemble, and more a Josh O’Connor show. He’s absolutely incredible here, demonstrating a perfect balance of compassion, anger and charm. That’s not to say this isn’t another stellar collection of actors, because the cast is once again stacked. Daniel Craig chews the scenery in a role he’s clearly enjoying. Blanc’s bluntness and appetite for theatrics is part of what makes the mystery such a blast to unravel. Craig and O’Connor play wonderfully off one another, and their stark character differences make for a delightfully fun contrast. Josh Brolin is (unsurprisingly) another standout, as the controversial Monsignor Wicks. Cailee Spaeney and Andrew Scott do sadly feel a bit under-utilized, given how talented they are. Both give good performances, but I wish their roles gave them a little more to do.
The verdict is in. Wake Up Dead Man is guilty of being the best Benoit Blanc mystery yet. Josh O’Connor will make you a believer, with a standout performance among an absolutely stacked ensemble. Rian Johnson is 3 for 3, delivering his sharpest script and most engaging case to date.
4.5/5