- Josh O’Connor steals the spotlight as a complex, former boxing priest.
- Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc to solve an impossible crime.
- The star studded ensemble includes Glenn Close, Josh Brolin and Andrew Scott.
- Rian Johnson’s latest mystery blends bucolic settings with biting one liners.
Benoit Blanc is back with his signature drawl and a brand new puzzle to solve in upstate New York. The third installment of Rian Johnson’s hit series, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, has officially landed on Netflix, trading the sun soaked Aegean for a quiet, bucolic parish. While the mystery is as twisty as ever, the real talk of the town is Josh O’Connor’s captivating performance as Father Jud Duplenticy. He manages to balance a bad boy past with a beatific presence, proving that even in a film full of icons, he is a certified scene stealer.
Modern audiences are currently obsessed with the cozy mystery trend, where high fashion meets high stakes in picturesque locations. This film delivers that aspirational aesthetic in spades, featuring a large ensemble cast that feels like a who’s who of Hollywood. From Andrew Scott’s crackpot sci-fi writer to Glenn Close’s fiercely protective Martha, the characters are as vibrant as the sharp witted dialogue. The story focuses on the sudden death of a megalomaniac monsignor, played by Josh Brolin, leaving a tight knit congregation under the microscope of the world’s most eccentric detective.

The film relies heavily on the impeccable timing of its stars to land its best jokes:
- The Father Jud Factor: O’Connor’s character is a former boxer with a neck tattoo and a killer sense of comedic timing.
- The Ensemble Dynamic: Cailee Spaeny and Jeremy Renner add layers of human drama to the cluttered, fast paced plot.
- Classic Wit: One liners about book clubs and misunderstood graffiti keep the tone light despite the backstabbing.
- The Impossible Crime: Daniel Craig’s Blanc is pushed to his limits by a murder that initially stumps even his sharp mind.
This latest chapter reinforces the brand’s commitment to bold innovation in the whodunnit genre. It is less about the final reveal and more about the delicious journey through a world of eccentric personalities and hidden motives. Father Jud serves as the emotional heart of the story, radiating a sunshiny grace that makes the post apocalyptic levels of family drama feel oddly hopeful. Whether he is stammering through a routine confession or dropping a hilarious Oprah reference, O’Connor makes every frame count.
Get ready for a night of slick exposition and elite acting. This is more than just another sequel; it is a masterclass in ensemble performance that you can stream right from your couch.
Take a trip to the Mojave of mystery and let Father Jud guide you through the latest Benoit Blanc case. With wit as sharp as a stiletto, this is the holiday watch you have been waiting for. Shop now at the Netflix website to start your investigation today!