Writer/director Rian Johnson is back with another installment in his Benoit Blanc mystery series. After loving Knives Out and enjoying Glass Onion, I was definitely ready to see what the filmmaker had been cooking for the past 3 years since the last movie. It certainly pleases me that each chapter of this series feels unique and different in style and tone, because, when it comes to film within a franchise, we usually get more of the same. After enjoying this movie at this year’s Austin Film Festival, I can say that Wake Up Dead Man is a better movie than Glass Onion, but it is not quite as great as the first Knives Out.
Ace private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is once again tasked with solving a bizarre murder mystery. This time, he must look into the possible murder of a controversial Catholic pastor named Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), the head of a small community’s parish with a brash, intense, and fiery approach to his liturgy. After Wicks dies during one of his services, Blanc arrives to study the members of the parish, along with a new, younger priest, Father Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a freer-and-easier clergyman whose less dogmatic approach often clashes with Msgr. Wicks’ strict, iron-fisted style.
As expected, things have not occurred as they initially seemed. That, of course, is Johnson’s modus operandi, and is also what makes the better whodunnit stories more exciting. In addition to this expected element, Johnson draws on his personal feelings and experiences with organized religion to develop a beautifully complex examination of the variety of people dedicated to their faith. He indeed reveals all of the good, the bad, and the ugly, but never completely sides with any one argument for or against religion. And that is what makes this movie so compelling and riveting. In addition to the mystery surrounding a character’s death, Johnson delves deep into the psychology of faith and the psyche of someone who doesn’t share it (Blanc).
As usual, actor Daniel Craig does not miss a step as the lovable, charming, and intelligent sleuth Benoit Blanc. In this installment, one gets a more intimate glimpse into his personal beliefs, though it isn’t particularly surprising that he is more of an agnostic. I was also very impressed by Josh O’Connor’s performance, who is the real star of this movie. As Rev. Jud, O’Connor puts much heart, passion, and vulnerability into his character. Rev. Jud obviously has had his struggles with faith and his duties, given the problems people face in this day and age. His faith his definitely put through the wringer with the alarming events that take place in this new parish where he is assigned.
In addition to these fine actors, the film also features excellent work by Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormick, Thomas Hayden Church, and Jeffrey Wright. Wake Up Dead Man is not only an exemplary case of storytelling, but Johnson and his team have done an exceptional job of presenting these complex themes in visually striking ways. In addition, the acting here is superb. I highly recommend Wake Up Dead Man as another excellent installment to this already stellar film series.