Netflix has unveiled the first teaser for Wake Up Dead Man, the third and (for now) final instalment in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out mystery series. With a reported budget of $210 million, the film is already being whispered about as possibly the most expensive whodunnit ever made. Whether that’s a bold artistic bet or an indulgent extravagance remains to be seen — but either way, Benoit Blanc is back.
Daniel Craig reprises his role as the charismatic Southern sleuth, this time sporting noticeably longer hair and a renewed sense of brooding elegance. The teaser offers only the briefest glimpses of what’s to come, but Johnson’s penchant for stylish reinvention is clearly intact. As with previous entries, Wake Up Dead Man promises a new tone, a new mystery, and an entirely new (and enviably stacked) cast. Among the suspects this time: Jeremy Renner, Josh Brolin, Glenn Close, Josh O'Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott, and Kerry Washington.
Little is known about the plot — Netflix is keeping those cards close to the vest — but if tradition holds, a world premiere at TIFF 2025 seems likely. Both Knives Out and Glass Onion debuted at the Toronto festival, and the franchise has always courted both critical and popular affection. The film will receive a limited theatrical run before landing on Netflix on December 12.
The original Knives Out was made for a modest $40 million and went on to become a surprise box office hit. Now, after a $450 million deal inked in 2021, Netflix is hoping to turn this final chapter into a cultural phenomenon. One last mystery, one last performance from Benoit Blanc — and, perhaps, one last twist for the genre itself.
