Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery - Review 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

DANIEL Craig returns as ace Detective Benoit Blanc in Rian Johnson’s hugely enjoyable third Knives Out murder-mystery, Wake Up Dead Man - but it’s Josh O’Connor who steals the show.

The former Crown star plays a priest, Father Jud Duplenticy, who finds himself the prime suspect in the murder of a fellow priest, Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), in a rural community.

Father Jud is suspected because of his long-running feud with Wicks - a consequence of their competing ideology (where Wick rules the pulpit by fear, shame and inciting anger among his congregation, Jud seeks to extol the virtues of compassion and love, mindful of his own dark past).

But as Benoit investigates, so further suspects emerge among Wick’s parish: from wheelchair-bound cellist Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny), whose faith in the possibility of miracles has been exploited for donations, to Vera Draven (Kerry Washington), a lawyer with a hidden connection to Wick, and whose unruly, social media obsessed stepson Cy Draven (Daryl McCormack) favours bullish, right wing ideology befitting Trump’s America.

Also included among the congregation is a failing sci-fi novelist Lee Ross (Andrew Scott), who is determined to fashion a comeback; Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), a doctor losing his battle with the bottle following the sudden departure of his wife and family; long-serving and deeply devout church housekeeper Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close), who is fiercely loyal to the Monsignor, but who, in turn, is adored by the church groundskeeper Samson Holt (Thomas Haden Church).

Awaiting from the sidelines, meanwhile, is a local sheriff (Mila Kunis) and, from further afield, the church hierarchy led by Jeffrey Wright’s Bishop Langstrom.

As with each Knives Out instalment, the path to truth lies in deception and all manner of twists, thereby providing Johnson’s star-studded cast with plenty to chew on.

It’s tribute to Johnson’s writing skill that he makes each one memorable in some way, while tipping his hat so cleverly to classic murder-mystery authors (from Agatha Christie to Dorothy L Sayers) and offering commentary on current US politics and religion.

With regard to the latter, there are some genuinely delightful exchanges on the nature of faith versus atheism, as well as what role the church has or should play in society. Benoit is the sceptic, of course, offering thought-provoking insight into the absurdity of belief (as he sees it), while Jud offers the counterpoint, offering hope amid the darkness while still possibly remaining a suspect (he is also a former boxer who has killed someone in the ring).

Johnson also has a certain amount of fun with religious ideology, building to a Resurrection-style scenario that both furthers the competing ideas, while adding a Scooby Doo element (also referenced), and adding to the sense of mischievous fun. Crucially, however, he doesn’t seek to preach himself - allowing the audience to decide which side of the debate they sit.

Yet in another cleverly self referential nod, he also throws in a cracking Star Wars gag, probably as a wink to his own experience as a director on the most recent franchise (with The Last Jedi).

Wake Up Dead Man is unmistakably the work of a filmmaker in peak form and enjoying being at the top of his game; working with a cast that is also clearly having fun. This translates well to the audience.

For as convoluted, self-referential and sometimes OTT as things can become, it’s all done with the right amount of self-awareness and cleverness, thereby allowing the film some of its wilder indulgences (even the lengthy 2hr 25min running time doesn’t feel like a drag).

The overall result is something almost miraculous: a third film in a series that shows no sign of running out of steam just yet.

Certificate: 12A