Story perspectives

Knives Out Mystery: Craig Returns in Darkly Hilarious Whodunit

12/12/2025

Summary

Story summary

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, directed by Rian Johnson, is now streaming on Netflix.
Daniel Craig, the actor, reprises his role as detective Benoit Blanc to investigate the murder of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks in a New York church.
Josh O'Connor, the actor, plays young priest Jud Duplenticy.
Critics praise the plot and dark humor, with O'Connor singled out and some calling it the best Knives Out entry.

History

Historical Context

Rian Johnson's "Knives Out," released in 2019, revitalized the murder mystery genre, grossing over $311 million worldwide. Drawing inspiration from Agatha Christie's works, the film features Daniel Craig as detective Benoit Blanc, investigating a wealthy family's dynamics following a murder. This resurgence highlights a contemporary fascination with ensemble casts and complex narratives, reflecting ongoing societal themes of class struggle and morality.

1 of 2

Story summary

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, directed by Rian Johnson, is now streaming on Netflix.
Daniel Craig, the actor, reprises his role as detective Benoit Blanc to investigate the murder of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks in a New York church.
Josh O'Connor, the actor, plays young priest Jud Duplenticy.
Critics praise the plot and dark humor, with O'Connor singled out and some calling it the best Knives Out entry.

1 / 2