A Ministry of Mystery
(This is a NON-spoiler review of the film)
Rian Johnson’s success with the Knives Out films has been astounding, and I will always look forward to another Benoit Blanc mystery with Daniel Craig in the lead role. The notion of keeping the mystery fresh and exciting while also introducing a whole ensemble cast of new characters is a delicate balance, and yet Johnson pulls it off yet again in glorious fashion. Wake Up Dead Man is not only the most ambitious and best film of the three, it is also the most genuine and authentic thanks to an excellent leading performance in Josh O’Connor, a trivial mystery at the center, and the willingness to take risks and shake up a formula that was already shaking up a formula.
A baffling death inside a quiet church draws Benoit Blanc into a tense investigation where faith secrets and suspicion blur as a close community turns against itself.
While Benoit Blanc has been the consistent detective in all three films, Wake Up Dead Man‘s actual central character is Josh O’Connor’s Priest Jud. O’Connor delivers a career-defining performance as a priest who genuinely wants to minister and help people in their faith, yet is demeaned and beaten down at every turn. The authenticity in his performance invests you in the character and mystery making you genuinely root for a man who wants to do good for the world and for Christ. He is the heart and soul of this mystery which is a surprising turn for a film that is centered on Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc. Craig takes more of a background and side role to O’Connor’s Jud which is a bold yet wise move. Blanc doesn’t even show up for the first 30 minutes yet the film managed to keep me hooked, an impressive feat for your third film in the series.
The remaining supporting cast does well with Josh Brolin’s Jefferson Wicks being yet another scene stealer as a bombastic, fire and brimstone preacher. Glenn Close’s Martha also does a great job with the more limited role she is given as a devout member of the church for decades who has invested much of her life and soul into the mystery. One small issue with the remaining cast members is that they aren’t always utilized to the full star power they have. Actors such as Jeremey Renner, Kerry Washington, and Andrew Scott are given important yet limited roles in the grand scope of things. Rian Johnson has always been able to pull together an impressive ensemble cast, yet it can feel like not everyone is as utilized as they could be. This, however, is easily forgiven by how well the mystery envelops you into itself leading to both a character driven and narrative driven story simultaneously.
This is a locked room mystery which adds an extra level of intrigue to not just the whodunnit but also to the how it was done. Without spoiling details, the film finds clever ways to unravel the information and help you solve it alongside Benoit Blanc. This mystery, more than the two that preceded it, feels like you are able to deduce and think through details as Blanc receives new information. It is as if you have all the pieces of the puzzle yet can’t quite put them together stumping you as it stumps Blanc. With Blanc you can see the nature of the mystery makes it his most difficult case to solve and the anticipation of getting so close to something yet quite get there is riveting to watch. It makes the whole story that much more satisfying to watch.
Johnson also directs this film with great creativity as the gothic noir backdrop within a great standing cathedral Catholic church. The stain glassed windows offer natural lighting into the setting and was particularly noticeable and artistic when a story is being told about the morality of religion. The room gets darker when talking about spiritual darkness and brighter when pointing to the hope in Jesus Christ from Priest Jud. It’s an amazing use of visual storytelling that actually makes the setting as important and relevant to the mystery itself.
This is the most unique of the Knives Out films in that it flips itself on its own classic formula. The previous two films utilized non-linear storytelling and comedy throughout making them enjoyable films in their own right, but Wake Up Dead Man opts for a more traditional murder mystery. Following a more linear story felt refreshing particularly with the presentation and was a bold choice for the director. Similarly, having Benoit Blanc who has been the central thread and constant of these films, takes more of a backseat to introduce another compelling character instead. Johnson has flipped his own formula making him a director worth showing up for to see just how he will surprise and deliver for the next time.
Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig have agreed to keep making these films so long as they both have fun making them and the audience has fun watching them. With Wake Up Dead Man, they continue their winning hot streak in a film that is absolutely memorable through its genuine performances, gothic atmosphere, and central mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. This is easily one of my favorite films of the year and I hope to see more very soon from this excellent working team.
(A) Amazing
Raj Reviews 