Daniel Craig continues to revel in his post-James Bond career, finding a new signature role as the charmingly eccentric detective Benoit Blanc. The third installment in the popular mystery franchise, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, premiered on Netflix, proving the series has lost none of its edge.
A Southern Sleuth's Latest Case
Released in early 2026, Wake Up Dead Man marks the third case for Craig's southern-fried sleuth, following the original Knives Out and Glass Onion. The film sees writer-director Rian Johnson once again deftly layering smart social satire atop a classic whodunit structure, creating what one might call a mystery tiramisu.
This time, Johnson turns his critical eye toward the state of American Christianity. The plot unfolds in a picturesque New York state community dominated by the self-righteous and cruel Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, played with menace by Josh Brolin. Wicks's divisive leadership, targeting gays and single mothers, creates a powder keg of resentment within his congregation.
An Unlikely Hero and a Locked-Room Mystery
The film's moral center is not the "proud heretic" Benoit Blanc, who doesn't appear until roughly 40 minutes in, but rather the idealistic new priest, Father Jud Duplenticy. Played by Josh O'Connor, Duplenticy is a former boxer seeking atonement for a fatal ring accident, now thrust into Wicks's toxic environment.
The mystery ignites when Monsignor Wicks is murdered mid-service in a sealed room—a classic locked-door scenario. Suspicion immediately falls on Duplenticy, but a host of other compelling suspects emerge from the woodwork.
A Stellar Ensemble Cast of Suspects
Johnson assembles a formidable cast to populate the suspect list. They include Wicks's frighteningly devoted assistant Martha (Glenn Close), her secret romantic partner and groundskeeper Samson (Thomas Haden Church), and an alcoholic doctor (Jeremy Renner).
The roster is rounded out by a failed novelist (Andrew Scott), an ambitious politician (Daryl McCormack), a lawyer in Wicks's thrall (Kerry Washington), and a cellist (Cailee Spaeny) who has donated vast sums hoping for a miracle cure for her chronic pain.
A Return to Form and Timely Themes
Many critics and viewers found Wake Up Dead Man to be an improvement over its predecessor, Glass Onion. While the second film was praised, some felt its surplus of intentionally obnoxious characters tested audience patience. The new entry presents a more balanced ensemble, making even the villainous characters a compelling watch.
The film tackles its timely subject—the weaponization of faith for division—without sacrificing the timeless appeal of a well-crafted puzzle. Johnson ensures the social critique serves the mystery, not the other way around.
For fans seeking another mystery exploring tensions within the Catholic Church, also starring a former James Bond, the article points to Jean-Jacques Annaud's 1986 film The Name of the Rose. That classic, available on Prime Video, stars Sean Connery as a Franciscan friar and sleuth in a 14th-century Italian abbey, assisted by a young Christian Slater.
With Wake Up Dead Man, the Knives Out franchise remains one of Netflix's sharpest original properties, blending star power, intellectual mischief, and old-fashioned suspense into a consistently entertaining package.
