The Mississippi sun bleeds through the stained-glass windows of St. Jude’s, casting an unsettling mosaic across the ornate altar. Inside, young priest Jud Duplenticy nervously adjusts his collar, the weight of his assignment heavy on his shoulders. Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, a figure both revered and feared in the small town, lies sprawled before him, an unnatural stillness about his once commanding presence. Chief Geraldine Scott, her face etched with grim determination, surveys the scene, knowing this isn’t just a tragedy, but an impossibility. The air thickens with suspicion as renowned detective Benoit Blanc arrives, his eyes already dissecting every detail, every whispered prayer, every forced display of grief. Among the mourners stands Martha Delacroix, her enigmatic gaze hinting at secrets buried deep within the confessional, secrets that could shatter the fragile facade of faith and reveal a killer lurking in the shadows.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Movie Overview
| Title | Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery |
|---|---|
| Release Status | Released |
| Release Date | 2025-11-26 |
| Runtime | 2 hours and 25 minutes |
| Genre | Comedy, Mystery, Crime |
| Original Language | En |
| Spoken Language | English |
| Country | United States of America |
| Production Co. | T-Street |
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Movie Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Daniel Craig | Benoit Blanc |
| Josh O’Connor | Fr. Jud Duplenticy |
| Glenn Close | Martha Delacroix |
| Josh Brolin | Mons. Jefferson Wicks |
| Mila Kunis | Chief Geraldine Scott |
| Jeremy Renner | Dr. Nat Sharp |
| Kerry Washington | Vera Draven, Esq. |
| Andrew Scott | Lee Ross |
| Cailee Spaeny | Simone Vivane |
| Daryl McCormack | Cy Draven |
| Thomas Haden Church | Samson Holt |
| Jeffrey Wright | Bp. Langstrom |
| Annie Hamilton | Grace Wicks |
| James Faulkner | Rev. Prentice Wicks |
| Bridget Everett | Louise |
| Noah Segan | Nikolai |
| Jamie Karitzis | Geraldine’s Deputy |
| Kit Burden | Dcn. Clark |
| Gavin Spokes | Rev. Frank |
| Paul Hilton | Rev. Delancy |
| Joseph Gordon-Levitt | Baseball Announcer (voice) |
| Cecilia Blair | Young Martha |
| Georgie Drain | Young Wicks |
| Bertie Drain | Young Wicks |
| Leo Abelo Perry | Young Cy |
| Ray Bolton | Vera’s Father |
| Nicola Hughes | Darla |
| Laura Elsworthy | Single Mother |
| Daphne Cheung | Masked Woman |
| Hugh Wyld | Upset Couple #1 |
| Matthew Jacobs Morgan | Upset Couple #2 |
| Kerry Frances | Tammy |
| Ian Porter | Eddie |
| Dan Chariton | Deputy Roscoe Pascoe |
| Eddie Gorodetsky | James |
| Bill Davey | Cy’s Attorney |
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Movie Storyline
In the quaint, seemingly peaceful town of Archerville, the arrival of young priest Jud Duplenticy is met with unease as he’s assigned to assist the revered but controversial Monsignor Jefferson Wicks. Their differing ideologies clash immediately, unsettling the close-knit community. When Wicks is found dead under bizarre circumstances within the church itself, Chief Geraldine Scott, a pragmatic and skeptical law enforcement officer, reluctantly calls upon the renowned detective Benoit Blanc to unravel the perplexing case. Blanc, with his characteristic Southern charm and sharp intellect, quickly finds that the Monsignor’s influence extended far beyond the pulpit, entangling a web of secrets, resentments, and hidden motives among the town’s most prominent figures. The investigation leads Blanc through a maze of red herrings, from the ambitious Vera Draven, Esq., the church’s cunning lawyer, to Dr. Nat Sharp, the town’s physician with a suspicious past. As Blanc digs deeper, he uncovers a conspiracy that reaches the highest echelons of the church, forcing him to confront not only a killer but also the insidious power of faith and deception, ultimately revealing a truth that shatters the town’s idyllic facade and exposes the darkness lurking beneath its pious surface.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Movie Details
In “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” the ever-astute detective Benoit Blanc, portrayed by Daniel Craig, finds himself entangled in a perplexing case within the seemingly tranquil setting of a small town church. The narrative unfolds as young priest Fr. Jud Duplenticy, played by Josh O’Connor, is assigned to assist the charismatic but controversial Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, brought to life by Josh Brolin, revealing unsettling undercurrents beneath the surface of the religious community. When a shocking and improbable murder occurs, baffling the local authorities, Police Chief Geraldine Scott, portrayed by Mila Kunis, reluctantly seeks the expertise of Blanc. Together, they navigate a labyrinth of secrets and deceptive appearances, where the lack of obvious suspects only deepens the mystery. Glenn Close appears as Martha Delacroix, further complicating the intricate web of relationships and motives, as Blanc meticulously peels back layers of deceit within the town’s religious elite. As Blanc delves deeper, he uncovers long-held grudges, hidden agendas, and shocking revelations, challenging the very foundations of faith and justice in this captivating whodunit, where nothing is as it seems and everyone is a suspect. The film promises a delightful blend of comedy, mystery, and crime, characteristic of the Knives Out series, with its unique setting adding a fresh layer of intrigue.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Movie Poster Images
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Movie Trailers
'Forks Out': A Benoit Blanc Sesame Street Mystery
Cast and Crew Q&A | TIFF 2025
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Movie FAQs
What is the title of the movie?
The movie is titled Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
When is the release date of Wake Up Dead Man?
The release date is November 26, 2025.
What are the genres of the movie?
The genres are Comedy, Mystery, and Crime.
Who is the director of Wake Up Dead Man?
Rian Johnson is the director.
Who plays Benoit Blanc in the movie?
Daniel Craig plays Benoit Blanc.
What is the basic plot of the movie?
When a young priest is sent to assist a charismatic Monsignor, a murder occurs, leading Chief Geraldine Scott to team up with detective Benoit Blanc to solve the mystery.
What is the runtime of Wake Up Dead Man?
The runtime is 145 minutes.
What is the movie’s tagline?
The tagline is He works in mysterious ways.
Is this movie part of a collection?
Yes, it belongs to the Knives Out Collection.
What is the budget for Wake Up Dead Man?
The budget is 210 million US dollars.