Get ready for a darker twist on your favorite modern whodunnit — Knives Out mastermind Rian Johnson has officially revealed new details about the franchise’s third installment, Wake Up Dead Man, and it’s shaping up to be a return to its mysterious roots.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Johnson confirmed that the upcoming film will be “much more Gothic and grounded in tone,” diverging sharply from the flashy, satirical style of 2022’s Glass Onion.
“It’s incredibly different from Glass Onion. It kind of gets back to the real origins of the genre,” Johnson explained. “Predating Agatha Christie, it goes back to Edgar Allan Poe.”
Back to the Shadows
While Glass Onion leaned into modern satire and extravagant visuals, Wake Up Dead Man promises a moodier aesthetic and a story steeped in classic Gothic intrigue. Fans of the original 2019 Knives Out, with its New England manor and tightly wound family drama, will likely find the new entry far more familiar — though still full of surprises.
The director added that the tonal shift isn’t just for show, but a creative necessity.
“If I feel like I’m repeating the same thing… I’m not good enough to hide that from the audience,” Johnson said. “So what I end up chasing is the experience of each of these things.”
The Return of Benoit Blanc — And More?
Daniel Craig is confirmed to reprise his role as eccentric Southern sleuth Benoit Blanc, and Johnson couldn’t be more excited about keeping the franchise alive — for as long as inspiration strikes.
“With the movies, we can keep doing that,” he said. “I would keep doing them as long as I can.”
Each Knives Out film so far has been a self-contained mystery, offering Johnson a fresh creative challenge and viewers a brand-new cast of suspicious characters. But the connective tissue, of course, is Blanc — who continues to charm audiences with his peculiar intellect and disarming charm.
What’s Next?
While Johnson didn’t confirm specific plans beyond Wake Up Dead Man, his passion for the genre and fresh takes on storytelling suggest that more Benoit Blanc mysteries could be on the horizon — as long as he’s not bored.
“You kind of burn the ship into the sea each time and ask yourself, ‘How will I make anything ever again?’”
Wake Up Dead Man is slated for release in December 2025, and judging by Johnson’s track record, it’s set to be another masterclass in modern mystery, this time cloaked in shadows, secrets, and serious Gothic flair.
