What are critics saying about Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery as it arrives on Netflix?

The third Knives Out instalment, Wake Up Dead Man, premiered to rave reviews, with Josh O’Connor being cited as the movie’s standout performer, and now Netflix viewers get to enjoy Knives Out 3 too, as it arrives on the streaming platform today (12 December).

Wake Up Dead Man is set to drop on Netflix at 12:00am Pacific Time, and is tipped to “dominate December streaming,” according to T3.

The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival, where critics lapped up the “Gothic atmosphere” and O’Connor’s “excellent comic” performance. 

The general consensus seems to be that canonically queer Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is back, and better than ever. This time, it’s said to be his most dangerous case yet.

Blanc first appeared in 2019’s Knives Out alongside Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collete and Ana De Armas, and then in 2022 with Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, which saw Janelle Monáe do double duty alongside Dave Bautista, Kate Hudson and Kathryn Hahn – and he’s ready for round three.

Wake Up Dead Man was announced in 2024 and casting announcements soon followed. The film boasts stars such as Challengers‘ Josh O’Connor, Priscilla’s Cailee Spaeny and Fleabag hunk Andrew Scott.

Additionally, the wider cast includes Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church. Also, it seems we’ll be left missing Hugh Grant, Blanc’s long-suffering partner.

The film follows the new priest, Jud (O’Connor), in the tiny town of Chimney Rock. While Jud’s sermons are the fire-and-brimstone variety, a church murder mystery summons Detective Blanc.

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What are critics saying about Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery?

With just 11 initial reviews, the film had a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Now, with 235 reviews, the film still has a very impressive 93%.

Rolling Stone‘s review noted that the threequel is an improvement after Glass Onion.

There’s also a lot of love for Craig. “Craig is still playing within the genre’s parameters, yet the colour he brings to Blanc remains a key part of why these movies work as well as they do,” the review states.

The review spotlights O’Connor’s presence: “His appearance could be characterized as Jesus with stronger jawline.”

The BBC’s review of the “deliciously entertaining” film also spotlights O’Connor. It states the film’s biggest revelation is that the actor “is also an excellent comic.”

AwardsWatch notes the film is “the best entry in the Knives Out franchise to date.”

Also, the review adds: “Johnson and company pull out all the stops to create a dark, tense, comical, sharply-written mystery that sticks the landing.”

The Guardian furthers O’Connor is “standout” and his “leading man status is now fully confirmed.”

When is Wake Up Dead Man coming out?

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will be released on Netflix on 12 December.