UPDATE: Rian Johnson has just revealed that his upcoming film, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, presented greater challenges than his work on Star Wars: The Last Jedi. In an exclusive interview with ScreenRant, Johnson expressed the immense difficulty he faced crafting this new installment, which hits theaters on November 26, 2025.
The acclaimed director is back with a third entry in the beloved whodunit series featuring Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc. Following the successes of Knives Out and Glass Onion, Johnson dives into complex themes of faith and morality, making this film a unique exploration of corruption among the powerful. He stated, “This was by far the hardest thing I’ve ever written – not just of these movies, but ever.”
Johnson explained that while the puzzle-solving aspect of screenwriting has become second nature, tackling the multifaceted discussion on faith significantly raised the stakes. “The real challenge with this one was that it tries to have a multifaceted conversation about faith in the context of this big, entertaining murder mystery,” he said. This personal endeavor aims to address how faith can be weaponized, a topic of profound importance to the filmmaker.
The narrative focuses on Father Jud, a new priest hoping to spread a message of love and forgiveness, contrasting sharply with Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, who uses fear to maintain control over his congregation. When Wicks is murdered in a shocking turn of events, Jud finds himself in the crosshairs, and Blanc is summoned to uncover the truth.
Johnson emphasized the importance of approaching this sensitive topic with care, stating, “I wanted the movie to genuinely come at this topic and not just tiptoe around it.” As the detective and Jud engage in deep conversations about the church’s true nature, their contrasting beliefs drive the film’s narrative without feeling preachy.
Critics are already buzzing about Wake Up Dead Man, anticipating its release. Johnson’s dedication to ensuring the dialogue remains engaging while tackling serious themes has resonated with audiences, and early reviews suggest it will be another triumph for the Knives Out franchise.
As anticipation builds, fans are eager to see how this compelling story unfolds, exploring themes of forgiveness and the complexities of faith against the backdrop of a gripping murder mystery. Johnson’s next challenge? Delivering yet another captivating whodunit that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the release date!
