Movie Review: ‘Wake Up Dead Man’

Director: Rian Johnson

Cast: Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, Thomas Haden Church, Jeffrey Wright

Plot: Rev. Jud Duplenticy has been sent to upstate New York to work under the controversial Monsignor Wicks. Judd finds himself under suspicion when Wicks is murdered in impossible circumstances, and it’s only the intervention of famed detective Benoit Blanc that can save him.

Review: There hasn’t been much fun in cinema this year. Most of our favourite films from been disturbing think pieces or genre bending jaunts into the darkest parts of modern history. Except for Zootopia 2. That was a delightful time. But for the most part, the typically ‘fun’ releases like the Marvel films and F&F nonsense deliver on the popcorn. One bright, shining beacon of mirth amid the thought-provoking art masterpieces is the upcoming Benoit Blanc murder mystery. Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig reteam with another top-tier ensemble for a darker, damper puzzler.

From a winter lodge to a summer Greek island, Blanc’s third outing takes a leaf from the books of Poe and Christie with this locked room murder that forces those involved to question their faith and belief in the supernatural. The story follows Jud Duplenticy (O’Connor), a former boxer who found faith after accidentally killing an opponent in the ring. He seeks to do good in the world, but after losing his temper and punching a blowhard priest he is sent to Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude to work with the prickly Monsignor Wicks (Brolin). Wicks establishes himself by asking Jud to take his confession before detailing his masturbation habits, and has a tendency to drive people out of his church with personal attacks on their first visit.

Despite of and in part because of this, Wicks has a loyal core congregation made up of conspiracy driven sci-fi author Lee Ross (Scott), concert cellist with a developing disability Simone Vivane (Spaeny), a recently divorced and newly alcoholic doctor Nat Sharp (Renner), terse lawyer Vera Draven (Washington) and her adopted son turned politician Cy (McCormack), church manager and devout Martha Delacroix (Close) and her lover, the groundskeeper Samson (Church). When Wicks is killed in a closed concrete pantry with a knife in his back, the seemingly impossible crime leads to the small town pointing their fingers at Jud.

When Benoit Blanc (Craig) arrives on the scene, he insists on Jud accompanying him in his investigation. Although it is established beyond a shadow of a doubt that Wicks is dead, unusual and potentially miraculous events challenge the faith of Jud and the congregation. Each have been affected in some way, such as Vivane having made hefty donations to the church in the misguided belief that faith could heal her. Wicks’ misuse of his authority and abuse of people’s faith and spread corruption, anxiety and fear through the community. As each layer is peeled back, we see more of the past events that mixes in generational traumas and a lost fortune.

Wake Up Dead Man is easily the best looking of the three excellent looking films. It feels as though Johnson and his team have gotten comfortable with this world and started to experiment a bit more. There’s a distinct use of light and colour through the church scenes that reflects the emotional journey of the focus character, the light streaming through the windows changing from a golden sunlight to a cold, stark white light as more and more secrets are revealed. A recurring motif involves character shadows being framed in the crosshairs of a crucifix whenever they enter the crime scene. As with Knives Out and Glass Onion, the art department have gone to town on each character’s unique attire and living areas. They’re not as garish as the pervious film, but no less packed with detail and symbolism.

Plus, there’s Benoit’s newest fit, involving heels and long, peppered hair. Daniel Craig seems to be having the time of his life putting on his natty outfits, playing up the Southern twang and mugging his way through scenes. It’s generally a hoot to watch everyone in these movies – great actors with fun characters clearly having a good time.

We won’t get into the details of the plot beyond what the trailers have given us, and we certainly won’t get into the twists and turns. The message about faith and the allegory for some current political and cultural movements can be pretty heavy handled, which is consistent with the series to the chagrin of some commentators.

If you enjoyed the first parts of this series, and get the chance to see this in cinemas before the Netflix release, make sure to take it. The head-scratching series of events lands better when you share the experience with a crowd. We had a great group, who laughed loudly and gasped audibly at times. A much better experience than half looking at your phone while watching on TV. This series could carry a long release in cinemas but they’re locked into a streaming deal.

Here’s hoping for more Benoit Blanc adventures to come.

Rating: NINE out of TEN