Writer/Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Daniel Craig, Josh O’ Connor and Josh Brolin
‘A Mesmerizing Mystery’
Few movies ever made about murders committed by killers with knives out are as beloved as “Knives Out”. Released in 2019, Rian Johnson’s movie achieved popularity for compelling murder mystery. On a personal level, I find the film about detectives seeking to resolve a murder relatable. At an early age, my life dramatically changed when my housemaid was murdered in a homicide that caused outrage. Stabbed to death in the shower, my beloved housekeeper became the victim of grim murder. Like the head-scratching murder case of Harlan Thrombey, my housemaid’s death became a puzzling mystery that couldn’t be resolved easily. Before she became victim of grim murder, my housekeeper was a person my family would adore. Being a promising young woman, she always performed household chores with dedication. More than an ordinary housekeeper, she was a person my family had grown to treasure. As committed as Marta Cabrera, she was a housemaid with charisma dedicated to performing every chore with stamina. However, murder brought my bond with my housekeeper to a closure. My family’s dreams were shattered when my housemaid was murdered. Following her murder, I adopted negative attitudes refusing to believe the world was a fine place and worth fighting for. Facing sorrow, I grieved the death of a housemaid that wasn’t observed through a rear window. I couldn’t wrap my head around why my housekeeper had to die in gruesome murder which was never investigated by the FBI. I wish my family had hired a private detective to investigate murder of a housekeeper that I had admired. Years later, I treasure a mystery movie that has become a reminder of my housekeeper.
As someone treasuring a beloved housekeeper with a plan, I adored “Wake Up Dead Man”. Released in 2025, Rian Johnson’s movie offered a magnificent mystery. Packed with breathtaking visuals, compelling storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies of the year. At the centre of it all is Daniel Craig, who embodies a detective inspecting murder. Although “Wake Up Dead Man” is riveting, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from uneven pacing. Nevertheless, it offers spellbinding entertainment for fans of the mystery genre.
Following the events of “Glass Onion”, “Wake Up Dead Man” continues Benoit Blanc’s adventures to conduct a murder investigation. Daniel Craig reprises his role as Benoit Blanc, a dedicated detective with desire to resolve murder. Blanc has always excelled solving crimes before they occur ahead of time. However, Blanc’s detective skills are tested when he’s tasked with investigating a priest’s (Josh Brolin) murder. Facing intense self-doubt, Blanc questions his lifelong dedication to a profession he was once passionate about.
Rian Johnson has always been drawn to murders causing tension. A fantastic filmmaker, Johnson has often made engaging movies about murder. His iconic movie “Knives Out” captured detectives investigating murders committed by conniving killers with knives out. With “Wake Up Dead Man”, however, Johnson made his first murder mystery sequel. It’s the filmmaker’s first attempt creating a sequel to a beloved murder mystery movie but he succeeds. Using captivating cinematography, Johnson captures a detective seeking to resolve a murder mystery. Evoking David Fincher’s “Se7en”, Johnson deftly uses low-key lighting to capture detectives conducting a murder investigation. For instance, low-key lighting elevates the investigation scene. During this unforgettable scene, Benoit Blanc investigates a gruesome murder that has occurred at a church. Using low-key lighting, Johnson creates a murder mystery that’s engaging. Low-key lighting is a tricky technique. As Martin Campbell’s “Casino Royale” suggested, low-key lighting elevates James Bond movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Johnson captures tensions detectives are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Wake Up Dead Man” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, it’s the most impressive murder mystery movie you will ever see. Evoking the first “Knives Out”, Johnson successfully uses confined locations capturing murder mysteries causing doubt. Throughout the movie, the church is a central location that plays a pivotal role in the murder investigation. For instance, the church backdrop elevates the murder discovery scene. During this unforgettable scene, Jud is shocked to discover that a murder has occurred in his church causing terror. It reminded me of my experience being shocked when I discovered my housemaid had been murdered leaving my family emotionally devastated. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Nathan Johnson’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that detectives in mysteries bear. Through stunning production, Johnson creates a compelling investigation.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Wake Up Dead Man” is a murder mystery movie that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the gruesome aftermath of a murder investigation. Evoking Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”, Johnson uses dramatic monologues to capture suspects reacting to murders causing sorrow. For instance, monologues elevate the final confession scene. During this haunting scene, Blanc reminisces fond memories of the priest before his tragic murder. It brought back fond memories of a housemaid that my family appreciated before she was murdered in mysteries. Through silence, Johnson manufactures a murder mystery that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique. As David Fincher’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” suggested, silence elevates commemorated serial killer movies. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Johnson captures murder mysteries that experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Daniel Craig delivers one of his best career performances as Benoit Blanc. Craig achieved recognition for playing serious spies in the James Bond franchise. With “Wake Up Dead Man”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a detective investigating a murder mystery but Craig succeeds. Evoking Kenneth Branagh in “Murder on the Orient Express”, Craig embodies a detective seeking to investigate a murder causing stress. With riveting expressions, he embodies the angst, intelligence and grief of a detective conducting investigations. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Daniel Craig, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Josh O’Connor is captivating, capturing the fearful nature of a church pastor that becomes prime suspect of a murder. Josh Brolin is fantastic, capturing the heroic personality of a religious priest that faces murders which are tragic. Lastly, Glenn Close merits appreciation. As a psychotic woman, she is unforgettable.
Despite its extraordinary performances, however, “Wake Up Dead Man” can’t quite create an engaging murder mystery. Johnson’s decision to integrate subplots involving demonic possession into the movie is bold but hinders the pacing. Due to this faulty technique, scenes capturing demonic possessions of women aren’t engaging as Blanc’s murder investigation. Whereas this subplot about demonic possession elevated Kenneth Branagh’s “A Haunting in Venice”, it clashes with the tone of this film. As Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” suggested, subplots about possessions elevate horror movies. Murder mystery movies thrive based on the quality of their pacing. Therefore, “Wake Up Dead Man” can’t quite create a murder mystery that audiences adore.
Nevertheless, fans of the murder mystery genre will definitely enjoy “Wake Up Dead Man” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A magnificent murder mystery, it honours a sharp genre that hasn’t lost its popularity.
A dazzling depiction of dedicated detectives solving murders committed by killers with knives out, it’s a riveting reminder that stories of murder mysteries are definitely worth telling in modern movies that deserve to be talked about without a doubt.
As memorable as murders Benoit Blanc seeks to investigate, it has motivated me to move on with life years after death of my housemaid which police didn’t bother to evaluate that led my family to deteriorate by treasuring positive memories of a woman that inspired my lasting love for mystery movies which I will forever appreciate.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 