Daniel Craig is back as Benoit Blanc in Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. But this time, the story will not only be a lot different from the prequels but will also beat them. At least that’s what Scandal actor Kerry Washington assured during her interview with People at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
[Wake Up Dead Man] grapples with these real issues of faith and the idea of having the courage to examine what faith really means for you and how you practice your faith. And just, totally, the world of it is so gothic. Rian brings in Edgar Allan Poe as an inspiration.
Kerry Washington mentioned that while Knives Out (2019) was a sharp family drama and Glass Onion (2022) took aim at the ultra-rich, the new movie dives into gothic vibes and questions of belief, even drawing inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe. So, according to the star, the background and vibes are what’s making the third film stand out from its predecessors.
The table contains basic details on Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery:
| Movie | Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery |
| Director | Rian Johnson |
| Cast | Daniel Craig, Mila Kunis, Josh O’Connor, Jeremy Renner, Andrew Scott |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score (so far) | 96% |
| Runtime | 2 hour 21 minutes |
Kerry Washington Shares Her Reasons for Joining Wake Up Dead Man
Further, during the interview with People, Kerry Washington shared her reasons behind joining the ensemble cast of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Considering how she’s no stranger to powerful roles, Washington mentioned that joining the Knives Out universe was a dream come true for her.
Why? The actress revealed that she has been a fan of the franchise since the very first movie in 2019. For her, Knives Out set the bar with its sharp writing and clever mystery, while Glass Onion impressed her by being totally different but equally entertaining. So, that’s what convinced her to say yes to Rian Johnson’s third film.
I really enjoyed the first film, and then the second film was so different, but also extraordinary. And I had heard from so many actors how much fun it was to do these movies, so that was a big part of the draw.
The writing is so good, the director’s amazing, but also you hear that these casts are great, that they’re good to be around.
Washington also admitted that part of the charm of these movies comes from the ensemble cast. Each film features a mix of A-listers and surprising faces, and she wanted to be a part of that tradition. She had heard from other actors that working on these sets wasn’t just creatively fulfilling but also genuinely fun.
For her, joining meant not only working with Daniel Craig’s iconic Benoit Blanc but also collaborating with a new team of stars like Cailee Spaeny, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, and Andrew Scott. The actress also praised Rian Johnson’s writing and direction, calling them major reasons for her decision.
Rian Johnson Reveals Why Every Knives Out Film Feels So Different
Meanwhile, fans of the Knives Out franchise might wonder why writer/director Rian Johnson keeps revamping the cozy mystery formula with each film. Well, speaking with Rolling Stone, the director explained he deliberately shifts the tone of each film because he wants audiences to feel like they’re getting a brand-new experience every time.
For Johnson, changing up the mood keeps the storytelling fresh. That’s why Glass Onion was so different from Knives Out. The first film had the feel of an old-school whodunit, focusing on a wealthy but dysfunctional family. The sequel, however, turned its attention toward the ultra-rich elite, with a sunnier, more modern backdrop.
If I feel like I’m repeating the same thing, or turning the crank on the handle and turning out more of what I did last time, I’m not good enough to hide that from the audience. So what I end up chasing is the experience of each of these things.
It’s not necessarily where I’m going to flip and do a totally different tone, but after three years of working on something that has a particular tone, it’s like you’ve been eating the same thing for lunch every day for three years. I’m more excited about doing something that feels new.
Rian Johnson wanted each movie to stand alone in tone and setting, proving that Benoit Blanc’s adventures don’t have to look or feel the same. And now, with Wake Up Dead Man, Johnson is taking another bold step. Instead of cozy estates or flashy islands, this story dives into gothic themes and questions of faith, inspired in part by Edgar Allan Poe.
Share your opinions on the Knives Out franchise and your expectations for Wake Up Dead Man.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will debut on Netflix on December 12.
