Benoit Blanc is officially strutting back into our lives—and our Netflix queues—with Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
Yes, darlings, the flamboyantly Southern detective we all fell head over heels for in Glass Onion has donned his pastel suits again, and we can’t wait to see him crack the case (and maybe drop some more clues about that personal life of his!).
A KILLER CAST (LITERALLY)
Written and directed by Rian Johnson, this third Knives Out mystery features Daniel Craig’s beloved sleuth tackling what Johnson calls his “most dangerous case yet.”
And the suspect lineup? Chef’s kiss. Expect to see Josh O’Connor squaring off with legends like Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church.
It’s enough star power to fuel our group chat for months!
The newly revealed first-look image teases a gothic cathedral setting, hinting at sins, secrets, and maybe a ghost or two.
Or is it just an odd place to gather potential murderers? Shrug.
This is a Benoit Blanc investigation, after all—expect a swirl of intrigue and mind-bending reveals.
HELLO AGAIN, MR. BLANC
Though Glass Onion gave us a deliciously subtle nod to Detective Blanc’s queerness, we’re all dying to find out whether we’ll get more about his personal life in Wake Up Dead Man.
While cameo rumors have fizzled, one thing is certain: the swaggering detective remains a flamboyant breath of fresh air, busting open the dusty “straight-laced detective” trope once and for all.
A U2 CONNECTION?
The film’s title, Wake Up Dead Man, is lifted straight off a 1997 U2 track from their Pop album.
Why choose that track for a whodunnit? Rian Johnson thrives on cryptic references and playful Easter eggs—so perhaps music fans will dig up a clue or two.
“Wake Up Dead Man” might just be a wink at the possibility of unexpected resurrections… or maybe the victim in question wasn’t quite as dead as we thought.
STEALTH THEATRICAL RELEASE?
Though Netflix is the official home for this Knives Out sequel, Daniel Craig has hinted that he’s hoping for an expanded theatrical run.
“People want to take their families (and, hopefully, their chosen families!) to see it in theaters,” Craig quipped in an interview.
+Related: Andrew Scott and Josh O’Connor Join the Cast of Knives Out 3
And who can blame them? Knives Out films practically beg for a big-screen experience—where every subtle eyeroll, comedic exchange, and clue-laden scenic shot can be fully savored by a cheering crowd.
WHY WE’RE EXCITED
1. Craig’s Queer Detective: Sure, we only got a glimpse of Blanc’s orientation in Glass Onion, but it’s a step in the right direction for mainstream, big-budget whodunnits. More flamboyant detectives, please!
2. Starry Eyed: With a stacked cast of A-listers—and Andrew Scott for an extra dose of queer representation—this film’s suspect board is looking very appealing.
3. Rian’s Clever Twists: You know the plot will have more loops and flips than your favorite roller coaster. Johnson’s brand of murder mystery is brilliantly unpredictable.
FALL FOR BENOIT BLANC
Slated to drop this Fall on Netflix, Wake Up Dead Man is shaping up to be yet another must-watch murder caper.
Whether you swoon for Daniel Craig’s playful accent, or just love sifting through red herrings, you’ll want to mark your calendars.
And if we can’t have a cameo from you-know-who this time around, we can still dream of Blanc dropping just enough hints about his after-hours life to keep us enthralled.
Grab your magnifying glass and your best houndstooth—the detective is back, the cast is stacked, and the only question bigger than “whodunnit?” is “who’s next?”
Let’s just hope we survive the night to find out the answer.
We’ll see you in the pews of that ominous cathedral, darlings—front row, popcorn in hand!
+Related: Daniel Craig & Drew Starkey Speak About Tackling Gay Roles