Wake Up Dead Man review: Masterfully crafted, engrossing murder mystery that delves deeper into societal philosophy and morality
The 'Knives Out' film series, encompassing 'Knives Out' (2019), 'Glass Onion' (2022), and the latest installment, 'Wake Up Dead Man,' showcases the astute Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) as he returns to unravel a labyrinthine murder mystery. Unlike many self-contained films within the murder mystery genre, the 'Knives Out' series consistently upholds its remarkable caliber. Typically, when a film achieves considerable success or garners widespread critical acclaim, subsequent sequels often falter in meeting expectations. However, the 'Knives Out' series defies this trend. The newly released 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' stands as a testament to this, surpassing its predecessors in quality. While 'Knives Out' was captivating and 'Glass Onion' provided a satisfactory one-time viewing experience, 'Wake Up Dead Man' transcended expectations, delivering a profoundly impactful experience. The third installment is a masterfully orchestrated, engrossing murder mystery that captivated my attention for two hours and twenty-five minutes.
Jud (Josh O’Connor), a former boxer with a tumultuous past marked by violence and aggression, has made the unexpected choice to embark on a path toward the priesthood. Following his ordination, he is assigned to a modest church in upstate New York, where he serves as an assistant pastor under the supervision of Monsignor Wicks (Josh Brolin), a priest notorious for his incendiary and radical views. Wicks's conservative stance has estranged numerous members of the congregation, resulting in a significant decline in attendance and compelling the church to rely heavily on financial support from a sole benefactor. Despite this, a small cadre of devoted parishioners remains, including Wicks's steadfast assistant, Martha (Glenn Close), alongside Vera Draven (Kerry Washington), a lawyer, and her adopted brother, Cy Draven (Daryl McCormack), a disillusioned politician turned YouTuber. Other notable community members include Dr. Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), a man recently separated from his wife, Lee Ross (Andrew Scott), a struggling science fiction novelist increasingly beset by paranoia, and Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny), a former cellist. Completing the community's ensemble is Sam (Thomas Haden Church), the church's caretaker.
Wicks is immediately apprehensive of Jud's presence and begins to instill seeds of doubt among his followers, insinuating that Jud may harbor ulterior motives for joining the church. As tensions escalate, Wicks is discovered murdered in the church on Good Friday, and Jud becomes the prime suspect due to his violent history and contentious disagreements with Wicks over matters of faith. The community swiftly turns against Jud, believing him to be the perpetrator of the heinous crime.
Once again, writer-director Rian Johnson demonstrates his prowess in cultivating tension as the narrative unfolds, with Blanc, aided by Jud, adroitly unveiling the concealed secrets within the community. Similar to the preceding film 'Glass Onion,' this installment also employs an accomplice to identify the culprit. Here, Blanc assumes a secondary role, while Jud plays a pivotal part in deciphering clues to unearth the murderer. Rian Johnson masterfully sustains the focus on the central narrative, despite the presence of an array of characters. As Blanc methodically assembles the puzzle, the plot becomes increasingly intricate, mirroring the complexity of the previous films. Introducing complexity merely to obscure the truth can be a double-edged sword—if executed with precision, it can elicit a thrilling response when the true culprit is unveiled; however, the risk of presenting a plot twist solely for shock value may come across as a contrived tactic if the twist lacks plausibility. Nevertheless, Rian Johnson not only embraces this risk but also executes it with impeccable finesse. 'Wake Up Dead Man' is a far cry from a generic whodunit thriller, whose singular objective is to engage the audience until the killer's identity is disclosed.
In its quest for the killer, the film concurrently delves into a plethora of compelling themes, including faith and the myriad ways of practicing one's beliefs, as illustrated by the divergent views on cultural and religious matters held by Wicks and Jud. Furthermore, a captivating dynamic unfolds between Jud, who contends that Jesus sought to heal the world through kindness and compassion, and Blanc, an atheist who endeavors to adopt a more pragmatic approach. In a particularly evocative scene, Jud invites Blanc into the church and queries his emotional response to the architectural design, prompting Blanc to articulate, "Well, the architecture interests me. I perceive the grandeur, the mystery, and the intended emotional effects. It’s as though someone has projected a narrative upon me that I do not believe. It rests upon the empty promise of a child's fairytale, replete with malevolence, misogyny, and homophobia, justifying untold acts of violence and cruelty, all the while concealing its own shameful transgressions."
Detective Blanc embodies the quintessential detective archetype familiar from numerous films—he is judicious with trust, prioritizes pragmatic reasoning, and relentlessly pursues the truth, even as Jud's resolve begins to falter. Daniel Craig delivers a masterful performance, deftly balancing charm, nonchalance, and the weightiness of a detective consumed by the relentless pursuit of the killer. Josh O'Connor also captivates with a nuanced and powerful portrayal; his intricate character necessitated a subtle approach, which he executed with remarkable precision. Glenn Close, as Martha, and Josh Brolin also deliver outstanding performances in their respective roles. However, Jeremy Renner, Andrew Scott, and Cailee Spaeny possess limited screen time, resulting in their characters failing to leave a lasting impression.
'Wake Up Dead Man' boasts a well-deserved runtime of two hours and 25 minutes, with each scene serving a definitive purpose and eschewing unnecessary prolongation—an admirable feat. Notably, it is also the most visually resplendent film among the trio. Unlike its predecessors, which primarily feature indoor settings, 'Wake Up Dead Man' incorporates outdoor scenes, skillfully utilizing the surrounding woods to cultivate an enchanting atmosphere. '
Overall, Wake Up Dead Man' is a gripping murder mystery that delves deeper into societal philosophy and morality, offering a profound exploration of faith.
Cast: Daniel Craig, Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott
Writer: Rian Johnson
Director: Rian Johnson
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