The next chapter in the Benoit Blanc saga — Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery — is here. With a gripping new trailer, an elite ensemble cast, and a dual release strategy (select theaters starting late November 2025, streaming on Netflix December 12, 2025), this film looks to shake up the whodunit genre. Detective Blanc takes on his most baffling case yet at a small‐town church, amid secrets, shadows, and a chilling “impossible crime.”
A Brand-New Knives Out Film Lands With Big Hype
The beloved Benoit Blanc mystery franchise is about to get its third chapter — Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. And from the trailer alone, it’s clear the stakes are higher, the tone darker, and the setting more charged. Director Rian Johnson and star Daniel Craig return, but this time they’re diving into a case that seems to defy logic — a crime so perfect that finding the culprit might be the easy part.
Fans of the first two films (Knives Out and Glass Onion) know exactly what they’re in for: sharp humor, elaborate puzzles, and a twist-heavy story. But this one appears to add something new: Gothic undertones, faith and moral complexity, and what’s being called Blanc’s “most dangerous case yet.” The trailer teases shadowy churches, candle-lit investigation rooms, and characters with deeper, darker layers.
Trailer Breakdown: What the First Look Reveals
A Crime That Even Blanc Calls Unsolvable
In the new trailer, Blanc declares: “This goes way beyond normal police work. This is something even I have not experienced.” That signals the filmmakers are raising the stakes. The crime takes place inside a small-town church, during Mass, and it’s both mysterious and surreal.
Atmosphere & Setting That Feel Different
From the images of Benedictine architecture to rain-soaked parish grounds and hushed congregations, the visuals lean more Gothic than in previous entries. There’s a sense of ritual, of hidden sins, of secrets built into the building itself — not just the people.
A Cast of Suspects — and High-Caliber Talent
The trailer quickly reveals the very large ensemble: Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, and Cailee Spaeny all appear as part of the story’s tangled web. With so much talent, you know every frame has potential suspect energy.
Release Dates & Viewing Options
In Theaters First
Wake Up Dead Man opens in select U.S. theaters starting November 26, 2025. This limited release gives it a theatrical presence without the full blockbuster rollout. The reasoning: prestige, cinematic event status, and word-of-mouth build-up.
Streaming on Netflix
Beginning December 12, 2025, the film will stream globally on Netflix, offering mass accessibility just a few weeks after its theatrical debut. So whether you’re a big-screen enthusiast or a home-viewer, you’re covered.
Why the Dual Strategy
This dual release pattern balances two goals: (1) giving the detective saga its cinematic moment, and (2) making it quickly accessible to the global Netflix audience. For fans, it means you can choose how you want to experience it — in the theater or from your couch.
What the Story Appears to Be About
A Mystery Wrapped in Faith, Secrets & Community
While details remain tightly under wraps, the setting and motifs suggest a story that explores more than motives and alibis. Reporting indicates the crime happens within a church community — the victim is a priest (or someone with religious authority), the suspects include parishioners, clergy, and local townsfolk. Blanc’s challenge: untangling truth from piety, secrets from ritual.
Themes That Go Deeper Than the Puzzle
Beyond the murder, this chapter appears to touch on bigger ideas: faith, legacy, hidden guilt, and how tightly communities hold their secrets. Blanc isn’t just solving a murder—he’s navigating a world where devotion, appearance, and truth are all in conflict.
The Cast & Characters to Know
Daniel Craig Returns as Benoit Blanc
Craig is back — three-piece suit, drawl intact, but this time Blanc seems more introspective, possibly more vulnerable. His confidence may be challenged; the trailer hints at someone shaken by the scope of this case.
A Stellar Ensemble
- Josh Brolin plays Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, a high-profile clergy figure.
- Joshua O’Connor appears as a young priest, Jud Duplenticy.
- Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, and Andrew Scott fill out the suspect list, each with strong intrigue.
With this many high-profile names in play, you can expect multiple layers of motive, subtext, and misdirection.
Why This Might Be the Strongest Series Entry Yet
Bigger Cast + Deeper Story
Earlier films were smart, fun, and twisty. This one looks smarter, richer, and thematically heavier. The shift toward religious symbolism and moral texture suggests the franchise is evolving.
Production Value Is High
From the location vibes to trailer design, the film seems built for cinematic impact. It earns its theater time before streaming — so those who choose to see it in a theater might get something extra special.
Directors & Franchise in Their Comfortable Groove
Rian Johnson knows how to turn genre expectations on their head. Combined with Craig’s polished Blanc and familiar ensemble energy, the film has the foundations to be both commercially and critically strong.
How to Get-Ready for Wake Up Dead Man
Watch the Previous Films
If you haven’t yet seen Knives Out (2019) or Glass Onion (2022), now’s the time. Not only will they sharpen your viewpoint, the characters, recurring motifs, and mystery style will make this new film even more rewarding.
Choose Your Viewing Style
- In Theater: For full immersion, watch it opening weekend in a selected cinema from November 26.
- Streaming: Add it to your Netflix watchlist and plan for a December 12 movie night.
Keep Spoilers At Bay
With so many names attached and a promise of an impossible crime, going in blind will maximize suspense. Avoid deep dives into cast lists or leaked plot points until you’ve watched.
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FAQs
Q: When does Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery release?
A: Select U.S. theaters starting November 26, 2025; streaming worldwide on Netflix December 12, 2025.
Q: Do I need to watch the previous Knives Out films?
Not strictly, but watching Knives Out and Glass Onion will enhance your understanding of Benoit Blanc and the series’ style.
Q: Who stars in the film?
Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc. The new ensemble includes Josh Brolin, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Andrew Scott, and more.
Q: What is the film’s setting and tone?
It’s set in a small church community and features a murder during Mass. Tone is darker, more mysterious, and packed with religious symbolism.
Q: Why the short theatrical run?
The film is designed to have a theatrical presence for prestige and cinematic experience, followed quickly by streaming for mass accessibility.
Q: Is it Netflix exclusive?
Yes — after its theatrical window, the film will stream exclusively on Netflix starting December 12.
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