The Deeper Meaning Behind ‘Wake Up Dead Man,’ Explained

by

WARNING: Includes SPOILERS for

Rian Johnson, whether he’s working on a large franchise like Star Wars or an original film like Looper, consistently uses his movies to explore deeper themes. This is particularly true of his Knives Out mysteries, where detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) investigates a murder alongside a colorful cast of characters. These films are not only engaging and well-acted mysteries, but they also offer insightful social commentary. His newest installment, Wake Up Dead Man, continues this tradition.

The new film, Wake Up Dead Man, centers around the baffling murder of Monsignor Wicks (Josh Brolin) and the prime suspect, Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a new priest who had been disagreeing with Wicks on important religious and ethical issues. The story unfolds with the involvement of Wicks’ church community and followers. Unlike the previous films—which explored the world of wealthy families and criticized the influence of billionaires—this installment is a more personal exploration of faith, the strength of belief, and the concept of grace.

‘Wake Up Dead Man’ Puts Greater Emphasis on Introspection


Netflix

Compared to the previous films, Wake Up Dead Man has a slightly different structure, focusing more closely on the main character, Jud. Like other central characters in the series, such as Marta and Helen, the story is told from Jud’s point of view, allowing the audience to see the other characters through his eyes. The film particularly explores the complex nature of religious institutions, showing how they can be both helpful and harmful. This is highlighted through the contrasting characters of Jud and Wicks. Wicks takes advantage of people’s faith, while Jud genuinely cares for his congregation and wants to build meaningful connections. Their conflict represents a larger divide in beliefs, not only within religious groups but also in the broader cultural and political landscape, including social media.

At its core, Wake Up Dead Man explores a wide range of beliefs, with each character seeking different forms of peace and understanding. Glenn Close plays Martha Delacroix, a deeply religious woman who grew up in the church and even knew Wicks’ father. Martha embodies the insular and judgmental side of some Western religions, being unwelcoming to outsiders. The performances of Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church combine to create a powerfully toxic and controlling atmosphere within the story’s central Parish.

Honestly, what really stuck with me about the character of Wicks was how convincingly he acted like a religious man – it made him feel so central to everything, even after his shocking death. The way the movie kept hinting at Jud’s temper and history of violence immediately made him look like the killer, and things really got going when Daniel Craig finally showed up as Benoit Blanc – almost 40 minutes in! It was a clever move because, up until then, we’d been hearing the story through Jud’s eyes. Suddenly, everything shifted. The film really focused on Jud’s inner struggles, his beliefs, and the fact that he was a suspect, and it became clear this wasn’t just a typical murder mystery. It felt like something deeper, a mystery that actually thought about faith and religion without simply dismissing it or taking sides. It took those beliefs seriously, even with all the darkness surrounding the case.

Benoit Blanc Gets a Different Kind of Intellectual Foil in ‘Wake Up Dead Man’


Netflix

The relationship between detectives Blanc and Jud mirrors classic pairings like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, creating a compelling dynamic. Both are skilled investigators – Blanc relying on skepticism, and Jud on empathy and understanding. From the very beginning of Wake Up Dead Man, it’s clear they have fundamentally different worldviews. Despite this, they share a mutual respect, allowing them to work well together and balance each other’s approaches.

The film skillfully balances a thrilling murder mystery with thoughtful exploration of faith. Detective Blanc often views the suspects as mere pieces of a game, but Father Jud reminds him that they are real people with deeply held beliefs. Conversely, Jud’s strong empathy is sometimes tempered by Blanc, who focuses on bringing a dangerous killer to justice. Director Rian Johnson has shared that his religious background heavily influenced the script, and the conversations between Blanc and Jud aren’t a conflict, but rather represent Johnson’s own personal struggle to understand his beliefs.

The film’s climax, where Benoit Blanc reveals the killer through a powerful speech, brings all the story’s themes together. Instead of publicly exposing the murderer, Blanc chooses to show Martha the same compassion and understanding that Jud exemplified, allowing her to confess voluntarily – a move that honors her beliefs while ensuring justice is served. This act isn’t about religion specifically, but about fundamental human kindness that exists beyond any faith. Ultimately, Blanc does this to create the space for Jud to fulfill his role as a priest.

Fundamental Kindness and Respect are at the Heart of ‘Wake Up Dead Man’


Netflix

As a huge fan of Rian Johnson’s Knives Out films, I think Wake Up Dead Man is his most revealing one yet. While the way each character finally finds peace is interesting, what really struck me was how almost everyone decides to move past their fear and anger. The villain, Wicks, uses people’s beliefs, anger, and even religion as weapons, and it felt like a really uncomfortable mirror reflecting what’s happening in the world today. But thankfully, the character of Jud offers a hopeful answer – choosing forgiveness and compassion instead of letting anger win.

The story isn’t so much about resolving the age-old debate about higher powers as it is about suggesting a more positive way forward—one based on respect and understanding. The novel Wake Up Dead Man truly shines thanks to its complex plot and especially its remarkably kind character, Jud.

Read More

2025-12-16 19:19