7 Shocking Secrets About Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Release Date, Cast, And Gothic Plot

The wait is officially over. The third installment in Rian Johnson’s acclaimed mystery franchise, now titled Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, has a confirmed and unmissable release date. As of today, December 11, 2025, the film is set to hit select theaters nationwide on November 26, 2025, before making its global debut on Netflix just two weeks later, officially cementing its status as one of the most anticipated streaming events of the year.

This new chapter brings back the world's most debonair detective, Benoit Blanc, for a fresh, standalone whodunnit. Moving away from the sunny, opulent settings of the first two films, Johnson is promising a darker, more gothic-tinged mystery that has already wrapped filming and is in the final stages of post-production. The combination of a precise release date, a chilling new title, and an utterly stacked ensemble cast has fans of the murder-mystery genre buzzing with speculation.

Benoit Blanc’s New Case: Key Biography and Production Timeline

The core of the Knives Out universe is the charismatic, Southern-fried detective, Benoit Blanc, portrayed by the incomparable Daniel Craig. The third film, *Wake Up Dead Man*, will see Blanc tackle a mystery that is tonally distinct from its predecessors, promising a fresh experience for viewers.

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Benoit Blanc's Filmography & Biographical Profile

• Full Name: Benoit Blanc
• Occupation: Private Detective (Self-proclaimed "Master Detective")
• Signature Style: Southern American accent, impeccable suits, and an uncanny ability to see through deception.
• First Appearance: Knives Out (2019)
• Second Appearance: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
• Third Appearance: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025)
• Creator & Director: Rian Johnson
• Franchise Status: The third film is part of a massive two-sequel deal Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig signed with Netflix for over $400 million, ensuring Benoit Blanc's return.

The Production Timeline for *Wake Up Dead Man*

The speed of the production timeline for the third installment has been a pleasant surprise for fans. Director Rian Johnson has been remarkably efficient in bringing Benoit Blanc back to the screen.

• Official Title Announcement: May 2024, revealing the title *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery*.
• Casting Announcements: May to June 2024, with a rapid-fire reveal of the new ensemble cast.
• Filming Start: Mid-2024.
• Filming Wrap: Summer 2024, with Rian Johnson confirming production had wrapped.
• Limited Theatrical Release: November 26, 2025.
• Global Netflix Premiere: December 12, 2025.

The Definitive *Knives Out 3* Release Date and How to Watch

The most critical piece of information for fans is the release date, and Netflix has confirmed a dual-release strategy, following the successful model used for Glass Onion. This strategy maximizes both the cinematic experience and the global reach of the streaming giant.

The Two-Step Release Plan

The official Netflix release date for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is December 12, 2025. This is when the film will be available to stream globally to all Netflix subscribers.

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However, for those who prefer the big-screen experience, the film will have a limited theatrical run starting on November 26, 2025. This is a two-week window before its streaming debut, giving fans a chance to see the ensemble cast and gothic setting on the big screen.

It's important to note that, similar to *Glass Onion*, the theatrical release will be a limited engagement, primarily in select theaters like Landmark and Alamo, with some major chains like AMC reportedly not participating.

The Star-Studded Ensemble: A Complete Cast List for *Wake Up Dead Man*

A hallmark of the *Knives Out* franchise is its rotating cast of A-list stars, and the third film is no exception. This new ensemble is arguably the most diverse and intriguing lineup yet, providing Benoit Blanc with a fresh set of suspects.

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The Confirmed Cast and Characters (10+ Entities)

Director Rian Johnson has assembled a phenomenal collection of talent to fill the roles of the new suspects and victims in this gothic mystery:

• Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc (The Master Detective)
• Josh O'Connor as Father Jud Duplenticy (A younger cleric with a dark past as a former boxer who killed a man in the ring).
• Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix (A key figure in the mystery).
• Josh Brolin as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (A senior religious figure).
• Mila Kunis as Chief Geraldine (Likely a local law enforcement figure).
• Kerry Washington as Vera Draven (Part of the new circle of suspects).
• Andrew Scott as Lee Ross (Another central character).
• Cailee Spaeny as Simone Vivane (A rising star joining the ensemble).
• Daryl McCormack as Cy Draven (Related to Vera Draven).
• Thomas Haden Church as Samson Holt (A character integral to the murder plot).

This deep roster of talent ensures a compelling dynamic, with each actor bringing their unique energy to the whodunnit format. The inclusion of stars like Glenn Close and Josh Brolin alongside rising talents like Cailee Spaeny and Daryl McCormack is a deliberate move to maintain the franchise's fresh appeal.

The Darker, Gothic Plot and Setting Details

Rian Johnson has promised a dramatic shift in tone for the third film. While *Knives Out* was a cozy New England mystery and *Glass Onion* was a bright, tropical satire, *Wake Up Dead Man* is leaning into a much darker, gothic aesthetic.

A Locked-Room Mystery in a Religious Enclave

The film is set to be a "locked-room scenario," a classic subgenre of mystery fiction where a crime is committed in a place from which no one could have entered or exited. The director is reportedly riffing on the dark, gothic elements found in works like Edgar Allan Poe's *The Murders in the Rue Morgue*.

The primary setting is a small town, focusing heavily on a local church and its isolated religious enclave. This suggests a mystery steeped in secrets, faith, and perhaps hypocrisy among the religious elite. The character Father Jud Duplenticy, a cleric with a violent past, hints at the complex moral landscape Benoit Blanc will be navigating.

Filming Locations: London’s Darker Side

The shift in setting is reflected in the filming locations. Unlike the Greek islands of the last film, *Wake Up Dead Man* was primarily filmed around London, U.K., capturing a moodier, more historic atmosphere. Key exterior shots were taken at the Neo-Gothic Holy Innocents Church in Epping Forest, providing the perfect moody backdrop for the story's isolated church setting.

The title itself, *Wake Up Dead Man*, is a cryptic phrase that suggests a theme of resurrection, secrets coming to light, or a victim who may not be as dead as they seem. This dark and serious tone is a deliberate effort by Rian Johnson to keep the franchise unpredictable and fresh, solidifying its place as a top-tier modern whodunnit series.