Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Wake Up Dead Man Opens to Strong Reviews in Limited Theatrical Run Before Netflix Release

A locked-room church mystery steers the Benoit Blanc series into questions of faith.

Overview

  • The film began a short theatrical window on November 26, with a global Netflix debut set for December 12.
  • Early critical reception is highly positive, with outlets citing a Rotten Tomatoes score around 95%.
  • Rian Johnson and cinematographer Steve Yedlin shift the series to a darker, Gothic look with high-contrast imagery.
  • Josh O’Connor’s priest anchors the drama as Benoit Blanc returns later in the runtime, a structural choice noted by reviewers.
  • Johnson reiterates he will remain the sole writer-director of future Knives Out entries, resisting the idea of franchising the series as generic IP.