Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) – Benoit Blanc’s Darkest Case Yet
Sharpen those deductive skills, mystery fans—Benoit Blanc is back, and this time, it’s murder with a capital M. In Wake Up Dead Man, the third installment of Rian Johnson’s razor-sharp whodunit saga, things take a turn toward the gothic, the brutal, and the deeply personal. This isn't just a game of Clue—it’s a deadly, twisting plunge into humanity’s darkest corners.
Set for release in late 2025, this Knives Out follow-up is already being hailed as the most ambitious and emotionally gripping chapter yet. With Daniel Craig returning as the drawling detective with a steel trap of a brain, this one promises clever clues, cryptic riddles, and a finale that’ll leave jaws on the floor.
🖤 The Premise: “This One’s Different…”
Wake Up Dead Man finds Benoit Blanc called to a remote European monastery, now converted into an ultra-luxury retreat for the world’s ultra-powerful. But when a body is found during a masked gathering known as "The Wake," the weekend descends into chaos.
With no cell signal, no way off the island, and a guest list full of liars, sinners, and secrets, Blanc must navigate twisted religious symbolism, long-buried sins, and a killer who may be closer than he realizes. As the body count rises, the case tests even Blanc’s unshakable resolve.
The title isn’t just poetic—it’s a prophecy.
🧩 Cast of (Suspicious) Characters
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Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc – Still sharp, still stylish, but this case hits him harder than ever.
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Josh O’Connor – A guilt-ridden tech heir with a mysterious past.
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Cailee Spaeny – A novice-turned-pop star caught between faith and fame.
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Andrew Scott – The elusive spiritual leader of the retreat… or something much darker.
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Glenn Close – A fiercely private billionaire who founded the retreat, hiding more than grief.
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Mila Kunis, Daryl McCormack, and Jeremy Allen White round out the twisted ensemble with secrets to spare.
Directed and written by Rian Johnson, the film leans into Knives Out’s signature cocktail of satire and suspense, but adds a heavier dose of melancholy and menace. Think Agatha Christie by way of Edgar Allan Poe.
🪞 What Makes This One Special?
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Darker Tone: Unlike the playfulness of Knives Out and the tech satire of Glass Onion, this entry plunges into existential dread, grief, and the meaning of sin.
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Symbolism-Heavy Mystery: Riddled with religious iconography, confessionals, and surreal dream sequences.
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Closed-Circle Format: One location. One killer. No way out. Classic murder mystery vibes, leveled up.
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Big Twists, Bigger Heart: Johnson is promising a more emotional story that reveals new depths to Blanc himself.
🎬 The Vibe
The aesthetic is Gothic modern—moody candlelit chapels, stormy cliffs, and eerie rituals. Think The Name of the Rose meets The White Lotus, with an ear for sharp dialogue and an eye for stunning design. The cinematography by Steve Yedlin is rumored to be his most ambitious work yet, playing with shadow and silhouette to mirror the story’s psychological depths.
📅 Release Info
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Release Date: Late 2025 (Exact date TBA)
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Runtime: Estimated 2 hours 20 minutes
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Rating: Likely PG-13 for violence, language, and disturbing themes
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Genre: Mystery / Thriller / Drama
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Written & Directed by: Rian Johnson
🔎 Final Word
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery isn’t just another clever puzzle box—it’s a stylish, sinister meditation on mortality and the lies we tell to survive. With Benoit Blanc facing his most personal—and perilous—case to date, this promises to be a standout mystery for a new decade of whodunits.
Get ready to confess. The truth is coming. 🕯️
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