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Rian Johnson’s latest whodunit premieres to praise at TIFF
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery — the long-awaited third entry in Rian Johnson’s popular whodunit franchise — made its world premiere in the Special Presentations section at the Toronto International Film Festival, and critics are calling it a bold, emotionally richer addition to the series. Where 2019’s Knives Out offered cozy, satirical misdirection and 2022’s Glass Onion revelled in bright, campy excess, Wake Up Dead Man pivots into Gothic territory, trimming the comedy to pursue mood, mystery and character weight.
What critics are saying
Early reviews praise the film for reinventing the formula without losing its core appeal: Daniel Craig’s endlessly charming Benoit Blanc remains the connective tissue, but Johnson surrounds him with a new, star-studded ensemble — including Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack and Thomas Haden Church — that critics say brings fresh dynamics and surprising depth.
IndieWire highlighted Johnson’s mastery of form: he still knows how to build a satisfying unravel, but here he plays more with tone and theme. TheWrap singled out Josh O’Connor’s turn, noting that the actor brings both comedic timing and a surprising emotional center that helps transform the movie from a pure puzzle into a story about grace and consequence. Deadline’s review emphasized that fans shouldn’t be worried by the tonal shift — the movie still has playful moments (a line even nods to Scooby-Doo-style chaos), but it places them inside a darker, more atmospheric framework.
How it compares to Knives Out and Glass Onion
Compare Wake Up Dead Man to Johnson’s previous films and you see a deliberate tonal triangle. Knives Out relied on social satire and the pleasures of clue-chasing; Glass Onion leaned into satire and glossy absurdity. This third film goes for Gothic suspense: moodier lighting, more restrained comedy, and a storyline critics say is Johnson’s most elaborate and emotionally resonant. For fans of classic Agatha Christie adaptations, the film’s atmosphere will feel familiar, but Johnson’s modern sensibility keeps the answers fresh and surprising.
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Industry context and trends
Wake Up Dead Man arrives amid a broader trend: streaming platforms giving established directors big-budget playgrounds to both please subscribers and build cinematic franchises. Netflix’s model — limited theatrical release followed by streaming debut — reflects the industry’s hybrid release strategy in a post-theatrical era. Rian Johnson’s ability to pivot the Knives Out formula demonstrates how franchises can stay relevant by embracing genre shifts rather than repeating a single formula.
Trivia and behind-the-scenes notes
The film’s TIFF premiere (Special Presentations) signaled industry confidence ahead of its planned limited theatrical release on November 26 and Netflix streaming arrival on December 12. Critics have noted the production’s attention to Gothic production design and a more somber score palette, which together distinguish this entry from the franchise’s earlier tonal exuberance.
Critical perspectives and fan reception
While reviewers largely applaud the tonal risk, some expect divided reactions from longtime fans who loved the brightness of Glass Onion. The film’s richer emotional stakes and slower-burning mystery trade some laughs for atmosphere, which will reward viewers who appreciate mood-driven storytelling and character-based reveals as much as the puzzle itself.
Expert take
"Wake Up Dead Man is the most formally ambitious Knives Out yet," says cinema historian Lara Mendes. "Johnson deepens his mystery by leaning into atmosphere and consequence; the result is a whodunit that asks you to feel as much as it asks you to deduce."
Final thoughts
Wake Up Dead Man is proof that franchise filmmaking can evolve: Johnson keeps the signature whodunit engine running while shifting registers to deliver something darker, more ornate and emotionally resonant. Whether you come for Benoit Blanc’s sleuthing, the puzzle structure, or the ensemble performances, this threequel stakes its claim as a distinct and memorable chapter in contemporary mystery cinema.
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