The buzz at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) reached a fever pitch once again as filmmaker Rian Johnson unveiled his latest project, “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” on Saturday night. This film marks the third installment in Johnson’s acclaimed whodunit series, following the massive successes of “Knives Out” and “Glass Onion.” The premiere, held at the prestigious Princess of Wales Theatre, attracted an array of stars and was undoubtedly the most sought-after ticket at the festival.
Rian Johnson expressed his excitement, stating, “This is my favorite place to be in the world,” as he reflected on the thrill of premiering each of his mysteries at TIFF. “Wake Up, Dead Man” is touted as Johnson’s most elaborate and darkly intriguing addition to the Knives Out franchise. The film promises a mix of trademark humor, including references to Star Wars and Scooby Doo, while delving into deeper themes that explore existential questions.
In this latest installment, the beloved character Benoit Blanc, portrayed by Daniel Craig, returns to investigate a murder case intertwined with a local church. Johnson has woven complex themes of truth, lies, and grace throughout the narrative. The cast features a remarkable ensemble, including Josh O’Connor as a young priest named Jud Duplenticy, Josh Brolin as the Monsignor, and Glenn Close as a devoted parishioner, along with notable actors such as Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Daryl McCormack, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Thomas Haden Church, and Cailee Spaeny.
Rian Johnson elaborated on the film’s direction, stating, “The first one was kind of a cozy, Agatha Christie family mystery. The second one was a big blow-out vacation mystery. And with this third one, we’re going back to the roots of the genre.” He mentioned the influence of classic literature, highlighting inspirations from Edgar Allan Poe and G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown mysteries, suggesting a return to more gothic storytelling elements.
Following the screening, the cast shared their enthusiasm about being part of Johnson’s unique Knives Out ensemble. Jeremy Renner likened the experience to “winning the lottery,” while Kerry Washington described the collaboration as akin to being part of an all-star team. Daniel Craig humorously remarked, “Putting this many stars into one film is literally like herding cats,” showcasing the camaraderie among the cast.
Since the release of the first “Knives Out” in 2019 by Lionsgate, which grossed an impressive $312 million worldwide, Netflix acquired the rights to the sequels in a lucrative $400 million deal. Although Netflix has focused primarily on its streaming service, it did grant “Glass Onion: Knives Out 2” a limited theatrical release in 2022 across 696 theaters, including major chains such as AMC, Regal, and Cinemark. The film was projected to earn around $15 million in its opening week, despite the smaller number of theaters compared to traditional releases, which typically launch in over 3,000 locations.
The highly anticipated “Wake Up Dead Man” is set to hit select theaters on November 26 for a brief two-week run, leading up to its streaming debut on December 12. Fans of the Knives Out series and newcomers alike are eagerly awaiting what promises to be another thrilling and thought-provoking mystery from Rian Johnson.
