Excitement is building in the entertainment world as Netflix prepares to unveil Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the third installment in Rian Johnson’s acclaimed whodunit franchise, slated for release on December 12, 2025. The latest buzz comes from a striking new look at stars Josh O’Connor and Daniel Craig, offering fans a tantalizing glimpse into the next chapter of Detective Benoit Blanc’s adventures. Set against a backdrop of gothic intrigue, this film promises to be the most dangerous case yet for Craig’s Southern-accented sleuth, joined by a stellar ensemble cast. This article explores the new images, the film’s development, its anticipated tone, and why it’s poised to captivate audiences when it hits the streaming platform this winter.
A Fresh Glimpse into the Mystery
The latest images released for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery feature Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc alongside Josh O’Connor, hinting at a darker, more atmospheric narrative than its predecessors. One image captures the duo in a church, surrounded by stained glass windows and somber pews, with Craig’s Blanc exuding his signature wry intensity and O’Connor’s character, Rev. Jud Duplenticy, displaying a mix of concern and secrecy. Another shot shows them in a car, both appearing weary yet determined, suggesting a journey fraught with tension. These visuals, shared through recent updates, have sparked speculation about a supernatural twist, fueled by the film’s title—borrowed from a haunting U2 song—and the gothic aesthetic.
Craig, known for his suave portrayal of James Bond, returns as the sharp-witted detective, his longer hair and three-piece suit adding a fresh layer to Blanc’s persona. O’Connor, celebrated for The Crown and Challengers, steps into the role of a clergyman, raising questions about his character’s involvement—ally or suspect? The images, accompanied by cryptic comments from Johnson like “See you on the other side,” have ignited online discussions, with fans theorizing about the plot’s direction. This new look underscores the film’s departure from the vibrant settings of Knives Out and Glass Onion, promising a deeper, more enigmatic mystery.
The Journey to December 12
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery marks the culmination of a creative vision that began with Knives Out in 2019, which grossed over $312 million worldwide and earned Johnson an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The franchise continued with Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery in 2022, a Netflix hit that showcased Blanc solving a case on a tech billionaire’s island. Following a reported $450 million deal for two sequels, Johnson has crafted this third installment as a standalone story, with production wrapping in August 2024 after starting in June at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden in London.
The film’s release date of December 12, 2025, was confirmed during Netflix’s Tudum 2025 Live Event on May 31, alongside a teaser trailer that featured church steeples and graveyards, narrated by Craig with the line, “The impossible crime… for a man of reason, this is the Holy Grail.” This date aligns with premiere events at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and the opening night of the London Film Festival in October, offering early glimpses to eager audiences. Despite Craig’s expressed hope for a wider theatrical release—echoing his disappointment with Glass Onion’s limited run—Netflix has yet to confirm such plans, though fan demand may influence future decisions.
A Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
The ensemble cast for Wake Up Dead Man is a who’s who of talent, adding to the anticipation. Alongside Craig and O’Connor, the lineup includes Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church. Brolin and O’Connor portray priests, while Kunis plays a police chief, hinting at a narrative rich with authority figures. Renner, whose likeness appeared in Glass Onion via hot sauce, joins as a proper character, a move Johnson humorously noted as a relief after the actor embraced the earlier gag.
Johnson, who writes, directs, and produces with Ram Bergman through T-Street Productions, returns with cinematographer Steve Yedlin and composer Nathan Johnson, ensuring a consistent visual and auditory style. The cast’s chemistry was evident at the Tudum event, where many appeared live, though Glenn Close joined via video, citing traffic delays. This collaboration promises a film that blends Johnson’s knack for clever plotting with a diverse array of performances, each potentially harboring a secret.
A Darker Tone and Thematic Depth
The teaser and first-look images suggest Wake Up Dead Man will adopt a darker, gothic tone, contrasting with the colorful locales of previous films. The church setting, biblical title inspiration, and ominous trailer elements—like a tolling bell and the passage “The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures”—point to a mystery steeped in moral and possibly spiritual ambiguity. Johnson’s comment to Collider about exploring the “tonal spectrum from Carr to Christie” indicates an intent to push the genre’s boundaries, potentially incorporating supernatural hints, though no concrete plot details have been revealed.
This shift aligns with the franchise’s anthology approach, where each film offers a new cast and setting while retaining Blanc’s investigative charm. Fans speculate that the “most dangerous case yet” could involve a crime defying logic, perhaps tied to O’Connor’s clergyman or the ensemble’s complex dynamics. The gothic Blackletter typeface and coffin imagery in promotional materials further fuel this narrative, setting the stage for a chilling whodunit that challenges Blanc’s deductive skills.
Production Insights and Challenges
Principal photography began on June 10, 2024, and concluded on August 17, a tight schedule reflecting the film’s ambitious scope. Filming in London faced a setback when Glenn Close contracted COVID-19 and RSV, limiting her early participation to two days. Despite this, she described the experience as “one of the best of my life,” a sentiment echoed by Johnson’s enthusiasm for the project. The cast’s commitment, despite such hurdles, underscores the film’s potential to deliver a polished product by December.
Craig’s $100 million deal for the two sequels highlights his central role, with his advocacy for theatrical releases adding tension to Netflix’s streaming-first strategy. Johnson’s post-strike script development in October 2023, following the 2023 Writers Guild of America resolution, ensured the story’s readiness, building on a premise he’d long envisioned. This behind-the-scenes effort promises a narrative as intricate as its predecessors.
Cultural Impact and Fan Anticipation
The Knives Out series has become a cultural phenomenon, blending smart storytelling with star power, and Wake Up Dead Man is poised to continue this legacy. Online sentiment, drawn from posts found on X, reflects high excitement, with fans praising the new look and speculating about plot twists. The film’s December release aligns with holiday viewing habits, potentially making it a seasonal talking point. Its festival premieres will also heighten buzz, offering early critical reception to shape public perception.
The franchise’s success—Knives Out’s box office haul and Glass Onion’s streaming dominance—suggests Wake Up Dead Man could break records, especially with its star-studded cast. However, some question Netflix’s handling of theatrical releases, a debate that may persist unless a compromise is reached. Regardless, the film’s gothic allure and Blanc’s return ensure it will dominate conversations as 2025 closes.
Looking Ahead to December 12
As the release date nears, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery stands as a testament to Johnson’s vision and the enduring appeal of Benoit Blanc. The new images of Craig and O’Connor offer a thrilling preview, blending familiarity with intrigue. Whether it leans into supernatural elements or delivers a classic whodunit, the film’s promise of a “dangerous case” keeps fans on edge. With its December 12 premiere, it will cap a year of cinematic anticipation, inviting viewers to unravel the mystery alongside one of cinema’s sharpest detectives.
Mark your calendars for December 12, 2025, and join the global audience as Daniel Craig and Josh O’Connor lead this gothic journey on Netflix. The stage is set, the clues are mounting, and the stakes have never been higher—prepare for a mystery that might just wake the dead.