‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ Sets December 12 Premiere as Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc Returns for His Darkest Case Yet
Netflix has officially announced that Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the highly anticipated third installment in Rian Johnson’s acclaimed whodunnit series, will premiere globally on December 12, 2025. Daniel Craig reprises his role as the enigmatic detective Benoit Blanc, promising fans a new, darker twist on the murder mystery format that has captivated audiences worldwide.
A Darker Turn for Benoit Blanc Official Trailer
While plot details remain tightly under wraps, the first teaser sets a grim tone—featuring a coffin and a chilling voiceover from Blanc himself, who warns that this will be “his most dangerous case yet.” Director Rian Johnson has hinted that the film will shift from the previous entries’ playful style to something more sinister, drawing inspiration from a broader range of classic whodunnit traditions. Johnson, known for his love of the genre’s flexibility, stated, “There’s a whole tonal spectrum from Carr to Christie, and getting to explore that range is one of the most exciting things about making Benoit Blanc movies”.
Star-Studded Ensemble Cast
As with previous Knives Out films, Wake Up Dead Man boasts an impressive ensemble cast. Alongside Daniel Craig, the film features:
- Josh O’Connor as Rev. Jud Duplenticy, a priest
- Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix
- Josh Brolin as Msgr. Jefferson Wicks, a priest
- Mila Kunis as Geraldine Scott, a police chief
- Jeremy Renner as Dr. Nat Sharp
- Kerry Washington as Vera Draven
- Andrew Scott as Lee Ross
- Cailee Spaeny as Simone Vivane
- Daryl McCormack as Cy Draven
- Thomas Haden Church as Samson Holt.
The teaser and early reports suggest that several characters may be connected to the church, and speculation is already swirling about which of these colorful suspects will be at the center of the film’s deadly puzzle.
New Setting, Familiar Intrigue
After unraveling mysteries in New England and the Mediterranean, Benoit Blanc finds himself in London for this latest case. Filming wrapped in the summer of 2024, and Johnson’s signature blend of suspense and sharp wit is expected to return, albeit with a more ominous edge.
Behind the Title
Continuing the tradition of drawing titles from iconic songs, Wake Up Dead Man takes its name from a 1997 U2 track. Johnson revealed that the phrase has lingered in his mind for years, and fans are encouraged to pay close attention for musical and narrative clues woven throughout the film.
What to Expect
With hints of a higher body count and greater personal danger for Blanc himself, Wake Up Dead Man is poised to push the Knives Out formula into bold new territory. The film’s darker tone, combined with its all-star cast and Johnson’s genre-bending storytelling, makes this one of 2025’s most anticipated releases.
Mark your calendars for December 12, when the world’s most dapper detective returns to Netflix for his most perilous mystery yet.
Citations:
- https://consequence.net/2025/05/wake-up-dead-man-trailer-netflix/
- https://cosmicbook.news/netflix-wake-up-dead-man-knives-out-release-cast
- https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/wake-up-dead-man-knives-out-mystery-cast-release-date-plot
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake_Up_Dead_Man
- https://screenrant.com/knives-out-3-wake-up-dead-man-who-dies-theory/
- https://www.filmfare.com/news/hollywood/wake-up-dead-man-knives-out-mystery-ft-daniel-craig-to-release-in-december-74327.html
- https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/movies/knives-out-3-wake-up-dead-man
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14364480/
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