10 Best Performances From All 3 Knives Out Movies, Ranked

Rian Johnson’s Knives Out films are bringing a fresh take to the mystery genre, and their incredible casts are a big reason why they’re so enjoyable. Both Knives Out and its sequels feature Daniel Craig as the detective Benoit Blanc investigating different murders, but each film also includes a new group of famous faces. Seeing so many recognizable actors adds to the series’ playful and clever charm.

It’s fun watching well-known actors take on roles and situations that are different from what we’re used to seeing them in. The Knives Out films – including Glass Onion and the newly released Wake Up Dead Man – all cleverly use satire, which requires the actors to balance playing stereotypical characters with adding genuine emotion and complexity. Wake Up Dead Man, now streaming on Netflix, particularly focuses on exploring themes of faith. With its release, it also invites audiences to revisit and appreciate some of the standout performances across the entire Knives Out series.

10) Jamie Lee Curtis as Linda Drysdale (Knives Out)

I was so impressed with Jamie Lee Curtis in the first Knives Out! Her role wasn’t huge, but Linda Drysdale really stood out to me as one of the best characters in the whole series. She perfectly played a woman who grew up with everything, but had to fight to build her own life, and it made her incredibly strong. At first, she seems much more relatable and grounded than her family, but you quickly realize she’s deeply flawed and a bit of a hypocrite, which actually makes her a surprisingly formidable character.

Curtis perfectly portrays a character who appears to have strong principles, yet is willing to compromise them for personal gain or to protect her family. Linda feels incredibly realistic because most of us have encountered similar people. While a bigger role could have elevated her performance, she’s currently one of the best supporting characters in the series.

9) Cailee Spaeny as Simone Vivane (Wake Up Dead Man)

The actors in the Knives Out films are all excellent at portraying their characters, and they often deliver the series’ sharp wit with a humorous touch. However, Wake Up Dead Man takes a slightly different approach, giving several supporting characters more serious roles. Cailee Spaeny stands out as Simone, a woman with a disability who seeks help from Monsignor Wicks after he claims he can heal her.

Simone’s story powerfully shows how faith can be twisted to take advantage of people, especially those who are struggling. It also highlights how relying on faith as a quick solution can lead to feelings of letdown and questioning. Actress Spaeny delivers a fantastic performance, convincingly portraying her character’s sense of betrayal, despair, and longing to believe. While this storyline is compelling enough to carry its own film, it’s unfortunately underdeveloped in Wake Up Dead Man. Despite this, Spaeny’s strong acting makes it effective, though it prevents the film from being truly exceptional.

8) Chris Evans as Ransom Drysdale (Knives Out)

For years, Chris Evans was known for playing the heroic Captain America in Marvel movies. But when he took on the role of the villain in Knives Out, he truly shined. His performance as Ransom Drysdale is both fun and unforgettable, and it’s more than just his popular sweater that makes it work. Evans convincingly portrays Ransom as entitled and spoiled, which fits the character’s background and adds a lot to the film’s central mystery.

It’s unclear if Ransom is simply unpleasant or truly dangerous, and the actor playing him, Evans, keeps his motives ambiguous. He’s surprisingly good at making both the character Marta and the audience almost believe he’s trustworthy, which makes the final reveal – that he’s actually a villain through and through – even more impactful. Evans’ performance is definitely one of the best in the series. While strong, later villains proved to be even more compelling, and the heroes generally felt more complex.

7) Josh Brolin as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Wake Up Dead Man)

Josh Brolin is known for playing bad guys, and his role as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks in Wake Up Dead Man is especially unsettling. Wicks is the opposite of a kind and caring priest like Father Jud – he uses his position to control and harm others. Most viewers won’t be upset when his character dies, and that’s a testament to Brolin’s effective performance.

As a fan, I have to say Josh Brolin really nails the villain role! A good villain should make you actively dislike them, and he absolutely does that – especially since his character isn’t meant to be redeemed. There are moments where Wicks is actually funny and you can see why people are drawn to him, but underneath it all, he represents a really disturbing misuse of religion. Brolin really emphasizes that, though honestly, I didn’t find him quite as hateable as the villain from Glass Onion. I also think the writing didn’t give him as much to work with, preventing him from reaching the same level of complexity as the main characters in the first Knives Out movie.

6) Edward Norton as Miles Bron (Glass Onion)

Miles Bron in Glass Onion is a truly awful villain. Edward Norton perfectly embodies the tech billionaire in the Knives Out sequel, capturing both his arrogance and a surprising lack of competence. The character feels like a pointed critique of modern tech leaders, as if Norton plucked him straight from real life and dropped him into the world of Benoit Blanc.

5) Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix in Wake Up Dead Man

Among the villains in the Knives Out films, Glenn Close’s character, Martha, stands out as the most compelling. Unlike the other killers who are clearly malicious, Martha is more complex, not simply good or bad. Throughout Wake Up Dead Man, she initially presents as self-righteous and larger than life, a personality that isn’t always endearing, as she often comes across as judgmental and bossy because of her strong convictions.

Despite her generally tough exterior, Martha occasionally shows a softer side, which makes her involvement in Dr. Nat’s plans all the more compelling. Her eventual killing of him leads to a powerfully acted climax, where she confesses everything and tragically takes her own life. Glenn Close portrays Martha with incredible depth, skillfully balancing the character’s more outlandish and humorous moments with the raw emotion she displays later in the film, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

4) Janelle Monáe as Andi & Helen Brand (Glass Onion)

Throughout the Knives Out series, detective Benoit Blanc always solves the case, but he usually gets help from someone unexpectedly involved in the crime. In Glass Onion, that person is Andi, played by Janelle Monáe—or rather, Helen. Monáe faced a particularly challenging role, as she played two distinct characters. Not only did she have to embody the personalities of twin sisters, but she also had to deliver a major plot twist: that Andi is actually deceased and Helen is the character the audience has been following. It’s a complex performance, playing a character who is pretending to be someone else.

Monáe’s performance is a standout, ranking among the best in the whole series – even surpassing many of the main supporting actors and villains. She’s incredibly talented, and despite limited screen time, she makes her character relatable and keeps you rooting for her. She also shares fantastic chemistry with Craig, although some of the other leads have slightly more developed storylines.

3) Ana de Armas as Marta Cabrera (Knives Out)

In the first Knives Out movie, Ana de Armas is a standout, arguably as captivating as Daniel Craig’s introduction of Benoit Blanc. As Harlan Thrombey’s nurse, Marta, she convincingly portrays an everyday woman unexpectedly caught in a murder mystery and facing off against a powerful, wealthy family where she has little influence.

Marta is a relatable and understandably nervous character, making it easy to sympathize with her. Ana de Armas plays her with sweetness and charm, allowing viewers to quickly connect with the role. Even when the movie gets a bit outlandish, her performance feels genuine. She’s the heart of the story and the main reason audiences will care about what happens. Only two actors deliver stronger performances: one who appears in all the Knives Out films, and another who gives a particularly moving performance as Blanc’s newest assistant.

2) Josh O’Connor as Father Jud (Wake Up Dead Man)

I wasn’t sure anyone could outshine Marta as Benoit Blanc’s assistant, but Josh O’Connor’s character, Father Jud, does just that. Throughout the new mystery, Wake Up Dead Man, Father Jud struggles with feelings of guilt and questions his faith. It makes sense, considering he’s a suspect in the murder of someone he disliked, Monsignor Wicks. He’s a good and honest priest, even though he’s wrestling with inner turmoil. O’Connor brilliantly portrays both the character’s darker side and his sincere desire to help others and serve God.

The character of Father Jud feels incredibly real, which makes him easy to root for – he could have easily been portrayed as preachy, but isn’t. Even the skeptical detective Benoit Blanc finds himself impressed by Father Jud’s genuine sincerity. Their on-screen connection is fantastic, and it’s a testament to O’Connor’s performance. He’s truly captivating in ‘Wake Up Dead Man,’ especially considering he’s acting alongside Ana de Armas and Janelle Monáe.

1) Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc

Let’s be real, Daniel Craig is the Knives Out franchise. He’s the only major character connecting all three films, and honestly, he elevates everything. From his delightful Southern drawl to his obvious love of a good mystery, Craig just owns the role of Blanc. I genuinely don’t think these movies would have taken off the way they have without him anchoring them, and his enthusiasm is totally infectious – it makes you immediately eager for the next installment.

As the series continues, Daniel Craig gets to show us new sides of his character, Detective Benoit Blanc, and consistently delivers a great performance. While we don’t learn much about Blanc’s personal life – and that works in the story’s favor – Craig is masterful at hinting at depth with subtle expressions and actions. He’s perfectly suited to lead this franchise, and fans will likely hope to see more of him in future installments.

What’s your favorite performance in the Knives Out films? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-16 04:13