Wake Up Dead Man - Review

Synopsis:

When young priest Jud Duplenticy is sent to assist charismatic firebrand Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, it's clear that not is all well in the pews. After a sudden and seemingly impossible murder rocks the town, the lack of an obvious suspect prompts local police chief Geraldine Scott to join forces with renowned detective Benoit Blanc to unravel a mystery that defies all logic.

Review:

“Wake Up Dead Man” is the third (and for the moment, final) film of director Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” trilogy, following the 2019 original and 2022’s sequel, “Glass Onion.” It’s also, for my money, both the boldest and most uneven of the lot, a murder mystery that takes admirably big swings, yet (frustratingly) stumbles slightly in the home stretch.

That said? Despite some mild quibbles with its final destination, it’s hard to deny the skill – not to mention pure fun – of how Johnson gets us there.

Truthfully, there are two major creative factors that consistently make all three “Knives Out” movies so darn enjoyable: a.) Johnson’s penchant for clever, layered plotting and b.) Daniel Craig’s performance as Benoit Blanc. Both are at the peak of their game here, with Johnson channeling his love for whodunit storytelling through a darker, semi-Gothic lens that feels heavier and even more brooding than either of the previous movies. Craig, too, is noticeably moodier here, playing Blanc not merely as “Kentucky Fried Foghorn Leghorn” (although fans need not fear, we still get plenty of that affectation here) but as someone who is increasingly weighed down MORALLY by what he uncovers in the course of his case. It’s a richer, more vulnerable turn than what we saw in either of the previous installments, and when paired against Josh O’Connor – who, as the softspoken Reverend Jud Duplenticy, serves as the film’s moral compass and emotional center – his presence gives “Wake Up, Dead Man” a depth of emotion that is surprisingly affecting.

Also helping matters here is the sheer stacked-ness of the cast, comprised of heavy hitters like Kerry Washington, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Cailee Spaeny, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, and Andrew Scott. Of the lot, Close leaves the biggest impression, imbuing her character with a sharp, almost feral energy that feels like her manic turn in “Fatal Attraction” crossed with the subdued loathing of her character in “The Wife" (weird mix, I know, but trust me - you’ll get it when you see it). Like “Glass Onion” and “Knives Out,” however, the fun of “Wake Up Dead Man” isn’t merely in watching a game cast chew scenery, but in watching how Johnson threads them all through the gears of his intricate narrative machinery in ways that feel remarkably controlled, even as the story feels like it’s wobbling ever-so-slightly the longer it goes on.

Honestly, your satisfaction with the way the film concludes will largely depend on your penchant for elaborate Rube Goldberg–style resolutions. For me, the ultimate denouement here was just a bit too complicated to be entirely satisfying (no spoilers, but I much prefer the simplicity and cleanness of the prior two films’ wrap-ups). Despite those frustrations however, it’s hard to argue that “Wake Up Dead Man” doesn’t do more right than it does wrong, offering a murder mystery that is intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant. It may not be the tightest film in the series, but as trilogy-cappers go, there’s more than enough here to satisfy…that is, until Johnson (inevitably?) decides to round Craig back up again for a third sequel.

Grade: B +

Spiritual Overview

LOTS to unpack here. It’s clear that Rian Johnson is working through some personal issues here relating to his own faith background, mainly with regards to the question of HOW believers should go about seeking to win hearts to Christ. 

In Josh Brolin’s Monsignor Wicks, we see a “brand” of Christianity that is rageful and reactionary, lashing out at anything that threatens his black-and-white view of the world. Josh O’Connor’s Duplenticy, meanwhile, represents the other end of the evangelistic spectrum, choosing to present his (no less strong) moral convictions with gentleness and an almost trembling honesty. It’s a dichotomy that’s fascinating to unpack, and while Johnson doesn’t exactly hold his cards close to his chest when it comes to which approach he himself affirms, the film still manages to raise some interesting questions about moral posture and spiritual integrity. For me, the biggest takeaway “Wake Up Dead Man” offered was the idea of righteousness vs. self-righteousness, or rather: at what point does one’s pursuit of justice begin to tip into becoming unjust?

It’s the kind of question that’s worth pondering, especially for believers who seek to live faithfully in a morally gray world. Micah 6:8 says, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?” Let’s face it: in today’s cultural climate, it’s very easy to get swept up in outrage, to equate the loudest voices of the day with being the most righteous. Yet it’s also vital to remember that the Bible is explicit about integrity, humility, and the danger of self-deception.

While there were some aspects of Johnson’s musings here that I personally found to be a tad cynical, on the whole, I think his ultimate “point” is convicting: that justice without virtue becomes a counterfeit. In a day and age where principle and spiritual integrity are often sacrificed for the sake of simply “winning” the latest cultural battle, it’s a suggestion that’s well worth considering. As believers, I believe that we need to be cognizant of the posture of our own hearts when trying to turn people towards Christ, regardless of how justified we may feel in our methods. “Wake Up Dead Man” points out – I think correctly – that zeal without humility isn’t Christ-like, but a distortion of the very Good News that we’re so desperate to share.

What did you think about Wake Up Dead Man? Did you also find the manner that the mystery wrapped up was a bit too elaborate for your tastes, or did it work for you? And on a deeper level - what personal sins are you frequently tempted to ignore (or justify) when trying to introduce people to Christ? Comment below.