Rian Johnson returns with the third chapter of his celebrated whodunit series, and this time, the knives are sharpened not just for mystery but for introspection. Wake Up Dead Man offers a more soulful and sombre tone than its predecessors, grounding its narrative in faith, guilt, and secrets simmering within a small-town church. The film sheds some of the franchise’s usual flamboyance and instead leans into character depth, strengthened by Josh O’Connor’s standout performance.
Plot
When a stern priest dies mid-sermon, suspicions swirl around his young assistant, Father Jud. As Blanc steps in, the investigation uncovers hidden vendettas, unusual behaviour in the church grounds, and a community where everyone has something to hide.
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Benoit Blanc, played once again with eccentric charm by Daniel Craig, arrives much later in the story, giving O’Connor centre stage as Father Jud, a former boxer turned priest dealing with his own crisis of faith. His world crumbles when the authoritarian priest Jefferson dies suddenly during a sermon. Jud becomes the prime suspect while also being the person most determined to uncover the truth behind the church’s quiet chaos.
The supporting characters: portrayed by Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, and more, make up a congregation rife with secrets, quirks, and long-buried sins. Johnson uses them not merely as eccentric wallpaper but as reflections of a troubled community grappling with morality and fear.
The film’s spiritual undercurrent gives the whodunit format a refreshing shift, exploring sin, guilt, absolution, and human imperfection.
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While the mystery lacks the sharp shock value of Knives Out or the flashy puzzle-box chaos of Glass Onion, it compensates with atmosphere and emotional weight. At 2 hours and 20 minutes, some scenes linger longer than needed, but the pacing allows space for introspection, something rare for the franchise.
Despite its slower burn, Wake Up Dead Man succeeds with its poignant themes, detailed character arcs, and a haunting backdrop. It may not be the franchise’s sharpest mystery, but it is certainly its most thoughtful, earning a solid 3 stars and a strong recommendation for fans of mature, atmospheric storytelling.
