James Whitehead
Rian Johnson is back with a new instalment of his whodunnit series, with Netflix confirming that Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will release globally on the 12th of December this year.
Alongside the release date, we’ve received our first look yet with a small teaser, which promises a darker, more gothic tone than the first two instalments. And of course, Daniel Craig is back as Benoit Blanc the flamboyant yet astute detective.
I have been a massive fan of both entries so far and love the idea that a whodunit series can still come out and be successful today. My only real frustrations of this franchise have come from its’ handling by Netflix when it comes to the marketing. Firstly, the titles. “Knives Out” was an appropriate title for the first film, but once Netflix decided to serialise and make sequels, why they chose “Knives Out” to be the constant in the titles I will never quite understand.
The one actual constant across these films has been Craig’s electric performances as Benoit Blanc, so why these films aren’t titled as “A Benoit Blanc Mystery” is beyond me.
My second frustration has been the lack of support from Netflix when it comes to giving these films theatrical runs. I know it’s simply not Netflix’s model, but the data shows us repeatedly that all films do better on streaming after a full, wide, theatrical release. From the director to the star-studded casts, these films could and should do well at the box office if given a proper chance, but whilst Netflix is producing them these chances remain slim.
Frustrations aside, it comes from a place of real enjoyment with these films, and I am still thoroughly excited for this new instalment. The change in tone is a welcome one, as it feels right to make the next mystery darker and more sinister.
Once again, the cast is stacked with talent and personality, Glenn Close, Josh O’Conner, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, Thomas Haden Church and finally Jeremy Renner has been cast after being name dropped via his hot sauce in the previous film.
Now we have all our pieces in place, the intrigue and excitement build, to see how all of this will unfold, when Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery premieres on Netflix in December.
