Rian Johnson and Team on “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” and the Evolution of Whodunnits

Knives Out has emerged as a cinematic staple for lovers of modern mysteries, breathing new life and irreverence into the classic whodunit. With the runaway success of Knives Out and its sequel Glass Onion, filmmaker Rian Johnson has made global audiences fall in love with classic detective mysteries all over again.

At the heart of these stories is Benoit Blanc, the Southern-fried sleuth brought to life by Daniel Craig, whose wit and warmth have made him a charming force to be reckoned with.

Now, writer/ director/ producer Rian Johnson and producer Ram Bergman, are back with Wake Up Dead Man. This third entry in the Benoit Blanc series promises to be their boldest yet, weaving together the intricate plotting and sly humor with a distinctive gothic atmosphere. The film’s all-star cast, includes Kerry Washington, Mila Kunis, and Cailee Spaeny.

Johnson and his collaborators sat down to discuss their journey, creative process, and the unique challenges of continually reinventing the murder mystery for a modern audience.

The conversation opens with Johnson reflecting on the dramatic tonal shift in Wake Up Dead Man. Where Glass Onion shimmers with Greek Mediterranean sunlight and biting satire, this new chapter plunges into the murky shadows, embracing gothic and moral themes.

Johnson shares that he’s always been fascinated by the flexibility of the murder mystery format: “What excites me is that these stories can be so many different things. After the big, broad, fun vacation mystery of ‘Glass Onion,’ Daniel [Craig] and I thought it would be exciting to go in a different direction.”

[More: Rian Johnson Talks “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”]

Wake Up Dead Man – A Gothic Twist

This time, Johnson says, the story delves into questions of faith — a subject that is deeply personal to him. “I grew up very Christian, and I’m not anymore. It’s something I have a lot of feelings about. That personal connection led us into more of an Edgar Allan Poe or Washington Irving territory, almost like gothic horror. But even as we explore darker themes, I hope the film retains the wit and humor people expect from Benoit Blanc,” Johnson says.

Rian Johnson. Photo by Roy Rochlin/ Getty Images for Netflix

Maintaining a sense of unity and consistency across these films that are so different in tone poses unique challenges since Johnson insists that these movies aren’t specifically Knives Out sequels, but rather a series of standalone murder mysteries

Johnson is candid about the unifying element of his films: “Honestly, you put Daniel Craig with that accent in the movies, and you’re in that universe pretty quickly.” He likens his creative approach to Agatha Christie’s novels: “Each one is a different story, a different experience. I try to do something new with every film. My hope is that audiences won’t think, ‘Oh, it’s just another one,’ but instead, ‘What are we going to get with this one?’”

The cast is integral to realizing this vision. Kerry Washington, who plays Vera Draven, Esquire, describes her approach to the film’s layered, plot-driven storytelling. “It’s all right there on the page, and what’s so beautiful is that, even though it’s an ensemble, Rian makes sure each character has meaty, tender moments. The time and detail spent on creating these moments for every character is remarkable. It’s not just an incredibly entertaining film with another twist you’ll never see coming—it’s also exploring something nuanced and complicated.”

Washington adds, “In the end, I felt it was a hopeful story, one that believes in the kindness of people. That was a treat as a performer.”

From Brick To Knives Out To Glass Onion To Wake Up Dead Man

Producer Ram Bergman, who has partnered with Johnson for over two decades, reflects on how their creative partnership has evolved since their early days working on Brick. “When you have someone like Rian who knows exactly what he wants and can communicate it clearly to everyone, it makes my life much easier. We have so much trust between us. We just want to make the best movie and ensure everyone — cast and crew — has the best experience making it.” This collaboration is the foundation for the series’ continued growth and success.

Character development is at the heart of the Benoit Blanc mysteries. Each film peels back a new layer of the enigmatic detective, and Johnson decides what to reveal and what to keep hidden. “For Daniel and me, the most interesting way to learn about Blanc is through his actions — how he solves the case, his relationships with suspects, with characters like Joshua Connor’s Father Judd. I never thought it would be interesting to cut to a flashback of Blanc as a child. Instead, it’s about what the audience gleans from how he interacts with the world.”

Lee Ross (Andrew Scott), Chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis), Cy Draven (Daryl McCormack), Martha Dleacrois (Glenn Close), Vera Draven Esq. (Kerry Washington) and Simon Vivane (Cailee Spaeny) Photo by John Wilson/ Netflix

Another key to this creative environment is Daniel Craig’s leadership. Both Washington and Bergman praise his humility and collaborative spirit. “Daniel brings that level of humility, service, gratitude, and joy to everything we do,” Washington shares. “He sets the tone for everyone else, creating a space where risk-taking and play are encouraged.”

Johnson’s attention to detail is legendary among the cast and crew. Washington adds, “He carved out time to talk to every single actor about our arc, any notes we had on the script. That attention to detail was felt by everyone — not just the actors, but every department head. It made the set a place where creativity could really flourish.”

Have you seen the Knives Out/ Sesame Street crossover? It’s called Forks Out. Who ate Cookie Monster’s pie? 

by Staff Writer

From our in-house editorial team.