The upcoming film Wake Up Dead Man, part of the Knives Out series, marks a shift in tone as it delves into darker themes within a locked-door mystery format set in a small-town church. Directed by Rian Johnson, this third installment follows previous entries, which included a mystery set in a New England estate and a sequel involving a futuristic tech mogul on a Greek island. The film explores complex issues surrounding faith and the divine.
In anticipation of its theatrical release on November 26, followed by a Netflix premiere on December 12, Johnson discussed the evolving nature of the Knives Out series. He noted that, although each film features distinct styles, there was no overarching plan to explore a sequence of genres. Johnson emphasized his focus on instinct rather than a predefined strategy, allowing his personal experiences to guide the narratives.
Johnson reflected on the series’ distinguishing characteristic of centering the story around empathetic protagonists rather than the detective, Benoit Blanc, portrayed by Daniel Craig. Each film positions a character with personal stakes at the forefront while Blanc plays a supportive role.
The director also addressed how contemporary references in the narrative serve to ground the story in the present day, contrasting with the timeless feels typically seen in traditional mystery adaptations. While acknowledging concerns about the potential for references to become outdated, he mentioned that the movie includes references he deemed stable, such as those to Star Wars and Netflix.
Ultimately, the inception of Wake Up Dead Man originated from Johnson’s desire to engage with his personal history regarding faith. He aimed to weave a meaningful exploration of this theme into the fabric of an entertaining mystery, showing that each film serves as a reflection of current societal issues while also integrating accessible yet layered storytelling techniques.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/report/827712/rian-johnson-interview-knives-out-wake-up-dead-man