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"‘Wake Up Dead Man’: A Complex Yet Flawed Knives Out Mystery"

Source: ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ review: The new ‘Knives Out’ mystery struggles beneath its ambition (2025-12-02)

In the latest installment of Rian Johnson’s acclaimed ‘Knives Out’ series, ‘Wake Up Dead Man,’ the film ambitiously explores themes of faith, power, and corruption through a labyrinthine mystery featuring detective Benoit Blanc. While the movie boasts a star-studded cast, lavish production, and Johnson’s signature blend of humor and satire, it struggles beneath its own weight, with a script that feels overstuffed and uneven pacing that hampers its overall impact. Despite these flaws, the film remains an entertaining watch for fans of the genre, offering clever twists and sharp dialogue. Since the original ‘Knives Out’ in 2019, which grossed over $312 million on a $40 million budget, the franchise has become a cultural phenomenon, prompting Netflix to invest nearly half a billion dollars for two sequels, including ‘Wake Up Dead Man.’ This investment underscores the franchise’s popularity and the studio’s confidence in Johnson’s storytelling. The series has also influenced the mystery genre, inspiring a new wave of films that blend traditional detective tropes with modern satire. Recent facts highlight the franchise’s expanding influence: Netflix’s global reach has increased the series’ audience, with ‘Glass Onion’ (2022) becoming one of the platform’s most-watched films; Johnson’s films have sparked discussions about genre-blending and narrative complexity; the series has inspired academic analyses on modern mystery storytelling; and the films’ success has led to a surge in similar detective-themed productions. Additionally, the franchise’s innovative use of star power and high production values has set new standards for streaming original films, making ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ a noteworthy, if imperfect, chapter in this evolving saga. As the series continues to grow, viewers can expect more intricate plots, larger casts, and deeper explorations of societal themes, cementing ‘Knives Out’ as a modern classic in mystery cinema. Despite its flaws, ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ exemplifies Johnson’s commitment to pushing genre boundaries, ensuring that the franchise remains both relevant and thought-provoking in the rapidly changing landscape of entertainment.

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