Wake Up Dead Man, the third Knives Out mystery, plunges us into an interesting faith conversation: Shall you know them by their love—or by their power?
The story’s protagonist, young Father Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), finds penance costly. A former boxer, he’s punched a deacon and is sent away to atone for his sins. Now at Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude he must serve a vitriolic priest, Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin). Is Wicks merely harsh or worse? Regardless, Wicks makes life difficult for Jud—and the shrinking flock.
Jud must determine how to act and who he wants to be under these new and emotionally dangerous terms.
And then one day, halfway through church, the nasty Monsignor is murdered. But how? And why? Did Jud have a role? Arriving soon to solve the mystery is Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who although has no interest in religion, cares about justice.
Of course, viewers recognize Daniel Craig from his James Bond movies. British actor Josh O’Connor? Maybe not so much. But O’Connor steals the scenes with his sincere pathos as Father Duplenticy. This 35-year-old actor is making a name for himself with roles from TV’s Lewis, Doctor Who, Law &Order UK to the more recent role as Prince Charles in The Crown.
Like the prior Knives Out movies, some of the delightful fun comes with the ensemble cast, which director Rian Johnson insists upon. His first effort showcased the likes of Craig, of course, and other stellar folks like Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans, and Christopher Plummer. This third installment—the longest of the three—follows this fun with Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, and Thomas Haden Church.
Director-writer Johnson, who grew up in an evangelical home, is known for Looper, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and the previous two Knives Out—the original Knives Out (2019) and Glass Onion (2022). His writing has earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Screenplay (Knives Out) and notice as one of Time Magazine’s most influential people of 2023.
Although Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) snorts at anything supernatural, the story portrays the faith of Father Duplenticy as real—and beautiful. Jud’s faith and good works influence Blanc to reconsider whether or not the young priest’s faith is sincere. It’s a worthy conversation, I thought, and meaningful. (Netflix. Rated PG-13 by the MPAA, featuring violent content, moderate profanity, bloody images, brief but crude sexual material, and smoking.)
About the Author
Cynthia Beach authored the 2024 novel, The Surface of Water, and the writing book, Creative Juices for Writers. She co-directs Scriptoria Workshop with Newbery-winner Gary Schmidt. In 2025-6, she will serve as Artist in Residence in Dundee, Scotland.