Knives Out 3 lands on Netflix: a Daniel Craig in a state of grace in the darkest film of the saga

When Cena con delitto – Knives Out was released in 2019, few would have imagined that that contemporary, elegant and ironic mystery would give life to a saga capable of conquering audiences and critics all over the world. Rian Johnson, director and screenwriter, managed to reinvent the “whodunit” genre – the classic detective mystery – with a fresh, intelligent and at the same time respectful of tradition formula. It was an immediate success: grossing over $300 million on a modest budget, an Oscar nomination for the original screenplay and enthusiastic reviews that underlined the film’s ability to mix entertainment and narrative acumen.

Three years later, in 2022, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery arrived, this time distributed by Netflix. The film confirmed the strength of the brand: a stellar cast, a mystery set in a futuristic villa on a Greek island, and Daniel Craig increasingly comfortable in the role of detective Benoit Blanc. Again, the public rewarded the formula: Glass Onion became one of the most viewed titles on the platform, consolidating the multimillion-dollar agreement between Netflix and Johnson for the production of other chapters. The saga had now found its identity: a charismatic investigator, an ensemble cast of stars, and an enigma that is revealed through twists and irony.

Knive Out arrives on Netflix: the third chapter is unmissable

The new film, titled Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, is eagerly awaited for several reasons. First of all, because the first two chapters have shown that the formula works and can be reinvented every time with different settings and characters. Secondly, because Rian Johnson promised a darker and more gothic tone than the previous ones: this time Benoit Blanc’s investigation takes place in a church in New York state, where the mysterious death of a monsignor opens the way to disturbing suspicions and darker atmospheres. It is a change of tone that intrigues viewers, eager to see how the saga will evolve without losing its underlying irony.

Then there is the element of the cast, always central in Knives Out. Each film has deployed leading actors, and Wake Up Dead Man is no exception: alongside Daniel Craig we find Josh Brolin, Andrew Scott and other highly talented performers. The presence of international stars guarantees not only acting quality, but also a strong media appeal. It is a trademark of the saga: each chapter becomes a choral event, where the public enjoys seeing great actors grappling with unusual and often ironic roles.

Daniel Craig deserves a separate chapter. After playing James Bond for fifteen years, the British actor has found in Benoit Blanc a new great protagonist capable of redefining his career. If Bond was the action hero, glacial and sophisticated, Blanc is the eccentric investigator, with a thick accent and a more human and ironic approach. Craig has demonstrated surprising versatility, winning over the audience with a character that combines intelligence, charisma and a pinch of comedy. Many have underlined how Benoit Blanc has become, for Craig, a role as iconic as Bond, but with the freedom to explore different and more nuanced registers.

Wake Up Dead Man will be available on Netflix on December 12, 2025, following a brief release in select theaters starting on November 26. It’s a strategy already tested with Glass Onion: a cinematic premiere to create the event, followed by global distribution on the platform. Netflix is ​​betting a lot on this title, the result of an agreement worth around 400 million dollars for the production of multiple chapters. The choice of a Christmas release is not random: the holiday period is ideal for a collective film, capable of involving families and groups of friends in front of the screen.

Watching Wake Up Dead Man means participating in a cultural phenomenon that has brought the classic mystery back into vogue, adapting it to contemporary tastes. It is a film that promises entertainment, suspense and reflection, with the guarantee of an author like Rian Johnson and a leading actor at the height of his artistic maturity.

After the success of Knives Out and Glass Onion, the third chapter of the saga presents itself as the natural evolution of a project that has already won over millions of spectators. With a darker tone, a cast of the highest level and a protagonist who has been able to reinvent himself after James Bond, Wake Up Dead Man is destined to become one of the cinematic and television events of 2025. Netflix has bet big on this saga, and the public can’t wait to discover what new enigma awaits Benoit Blanc.

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