Knives Out 3: A Deadly Blend of Faith, Doubt, and Deduction

A punch to the face. That’s how Rian Johnson’s latest installment in the Knives Out series, Wake Up Dead Man, begins. Now streaming on Netflix, the film immediately throws viewers into a world of simmering tensions and hidden motives, a signature of Johnson’s increasingly sophisticated whodunits.

The film introduces Father Jud Duplenticy, a young priest with a past life as a boxer, grappling with his transition from a world of physical aggression to one of spiritual guidance. His early struggles with controlling his temper set the stage for a narrative steeped in internal conflict and moral ambiguity.

A Parish Rife with Secrets

Assigned to a small, isolated parish in upstate New York, Jud finds himself under the watchful eye of the deeply conservative and often abrasive Father Wicks. The church is populated by a small, devoted congregation, each harboring their own secrets and suspicions. It’s a powder keg waiting for a spark.

Johnson masterfully uses the setting to explore the complexities of faith and the potential for hypocrisy within organized religion. The film doesn’t shy away from portraying the darker side of religious fervor, highlighting the dangers of rigid ideology and the manipulation of belief.

A Shocking Discovery

The tranquility of the parish is shattered when Father Wicks is found murdered during a service, stabbed with a handcrafted dagger that Jud had possessed the day before. Suddenly, the new priest is the prime suspect, caught in a web of circumstantial evidence and mounting accusations.

Enter Benoit Blanc, Daniel Craig’s brilliantly eccentric detective, summoned to unravel the truth. Blanc’s arrival injects a much-needed dose of rationality into the increasingly chaotic situation. He quickly realizes that beneath the veneer of piety and small-town charm lies a network of deeply buried resentments and hidden agendas.

Johnson’s Genre-Bending Approach

Rian Johnson has consistently demonstrated a talent for deconstructing and reinventing popular genres. Following the success of 2019’s Knives Out and the more experimental Glass Onion, he continues to push boundaries with Wake Up Dead Man. He’s not simply paying homage to classic detective fiction; he’s actively subverting it.

“The appeal of these films lies in their intricate plots and unexpected twists,” notes film critic Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post. “Johnson isn’t afraid to challenge the audience, forcing them to actively participate in the unraveling of the mystery.”

More Than Just a Whodunit

Wake Up Dead Man delves into deeper thematic territory than its predecessors. The film explores the clash between reason and faith, questioning the nature of truth and the power of narrative. The characters are not simply suspects; they are representations of a divided America, grappling with issues of identity, morality, and social justice.

The cast, including Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, and Jeremy Renner, delivers stellar performances, bringing nuance and complexity to their roles. Each character embodies a different facet of the societal tensions that Johnson seeks to explore.

The film’s success also highlights a growing public fascination with true crime and mystery narratives. According to a recent report by Statista, the true crime genre generated over $5 billion in revenue in 2023, demonstrating its widespread appeal. Johnson taps into this cultural phenomenon, offering a sophisticated and thought-provoking take on the classic whodunit.

Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man isn’t just a thrilling mystery; it’s a sharp social commentary, a playful deconstruction of genre conventions, and a testament to Rian Johnson’s unique filmmaking vision. It’s a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Film Details

• Genre: Crime / Comedy
• Country: USA
• Runtime: 140 minutes
• Director & Writer: Rian Johnson
• Cast: Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack