One of Netflix’s Biggest Franchises Just Returned With a New Movie

by

Netflix has significantly expanded its original movie offerings since releasing Beasts of No Nation in 2015. Over the past ten years, they’ve collaborated with top Hollywood talent to create a string of successful and critically acclaimed films. Now, Netflix subscribers have plenty of original movies to choose from, and one of their most popular series has just gotten a new installment.

After a brief run in theaters last November, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery became available on Netflix on December 12th. This is the third film in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out series, and it once again features Daniel Craig as the brilliant detective Benoit Blanc. This time, he partners with a young priest to solve a puzzling death that occurs within a small-town church. The movie also stars Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church.

Wake up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Solidifies Benoit Blanc’s Mystery Series as a Critical Darling

With a 93% score from critics and a 94% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Wake Up Dead Man proves the Knives Out series is still incredibly strong and avoids the typical pitfalls of sequels. The film continues the franchise’s impressive streak of being “Certified Fresh” and “Verified Hot,” solidifying its place as a modern take on the classic whodunnit genre.

Critics are calling Wake Up Dead Man the best in the series so far. While still maintaining the wit and fun of previous installments, this film dives into more serious themes like faith, the spread of false information, and the possibility of forgiveness. G. Allen Johnson of the San Francisco Chronicle praised its darker and more complex story, and Mattie Lucas of From the Front Row highlighted its surprisingly thoughtful exploration of faith. Liz Shannon Miller from Consequence described it as feeling less like a typical mystery sequel and more like a strong, self-assured season of a high-quality TV show, showcasing the creators at their best.

Beyond a compelling story and Rian Johnson’s skill with mystery, Wake Up Dead Man is also being celebrated for its actors. Daniel Craig delivers another fantastic performance as Benoit Blanc, and Kerry Washington’s portrayal of Father Judd adds emotional depth and a relatable contrast to Blanc’s character.

Will There Be a Knives Out 4?

While not officially confirmed, a fourth Knives Out movie is looking increasingly probable. Despite the franchise not being planned as a trilogy, the success of the first three films has encouraged Netflix to consider continuing the series. Director Rian Johnson has said he feels inspired after making the third movie and is already brainstorming ideas with Daniel Craig for a potential fourth installment. Johnson also expressed his interest in featuring a new cast with each film, and he even has a list of actors he’d like to work with in the future.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/netflix-best-movies-never-heard-of-underrated/embed/#

Read More

2025-12-12 22:41