The trailer for Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man has debuted today, providing the first glimpse of his third film in the Knives Out series. Following the success of Knives Out (2019) and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022), Johnson shifts gears in this new installment, presenting a story that veers towards a more Gothic, introspective mystery.
Set within the walls of an old church and surrounded by graveyards, the film adopts a darker, moodier tone than its predecessors. The trailer hints at a narrative that will explore themes of faith, morality, and existential doubt, set against a backdrop of both religious and moral conflict.
In this installment, the story centres on Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a young priest who is grappling with a crisis of faith. A murder occurs under mysterious circumstances, which Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is called upon to investigate.
Alongside Craig and O’Connor, the film features a star-studded ensemble cast, including Josh Brolin, Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, and Jeremy Renner with Johnson having praised the chemistry among the cast, noting the collaborative energy that emerged during filming.
Wake Up Dead Man received its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6 and will be followed by a screening at the BFI London Film Festival on October 8.
The film will then be released in select UK cinemas on November 28, before arriving on Netflix globally on December 12.
