The red carpet rolled out in London this week as the 69th BFI London Film Festival opened in grand style — headlined by the international premiere of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the third instalment in Rian Johnson’s wildly popular whodunit series starring Daniel Craig as detective Benoit Blanc.
A Darker, More Sinister Turn for Benoit Blanc
If Knives Out was a witty family drama and Glass Onion a glamorous satire, Wake Up Dead Man promises something completely different. Director Rian Johnson called it his “darkest and most personal” film yet — a mystery wrapped in grief, morality, and the eerie calm of a small English parish.
This time, Blanc investigates the murder of a small-town priest (played by Josh Brolin), uncovering secrets buried deep within the community. The film’s tone leans gothic — shadowy churches, fog-drenched graveyards, and a sense of unease that lingers even after the lights come up.
“I’ve always wanted each Knives Out movie to feel like a different book on the same shelf,” Johnson said during the premiere. “This one’s more spiritual, darker — but still fun.”
Star Power on the Red Carpet
London’s Royal Festival Hall glittered as Daniel Craig arrived arm in arm with Rachel Weisz, joined by co-stars Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Josh O’Connor, and Daryl McCormack. Fans gathered for hours just to catch a glimpse of the returning detective in his signature Southern drawl and perfectly pressed suit.
Craig, reflecting on playing Benoit Blanc again, said, “It’s a joy every time. Rian keeps reinventing the world around him. This one feels… haunted, in the best way.”
Festival Energy in Full Swing
The Knives Out sequel set the perfect tone for what promises to be one of the most exciting editions of the London Film Festival in years. The 2025 lineup features 247 films from 79 countries, with nearly half directed by women or nonbinary filmmakers — a record-breaking statistic for the event.
From Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein to Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, and Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone’s Bugonia, the festival’s curation this year leans bold, ambitious, and thematically rich.
The festival runs until October 19, closing with the adaptation of 100 Nights of Hero.
Release Plans for Wake Up Dead Man
The film had its world premiere last month at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and will hit U.S. theatres on November 26, 2025, followed by a global Netflix release on December 12, 2025.
Critics at the London premiere praised its writing and visual mood — calling it “a beautifully twisted modern noir” that once again proves Johnson’s mastery in reinventing the detective genre.
What’s Next for Benoit Blanc?
When asked whether another Knives Out film is already in the works, Johnson teased, “Let’s see how this one breathes first. But yes, I’ve got ideas.”
And for audiences who’ve missed Daniel Craig’s sharp wit and slow Southern drawl — the wait for Blanc’s next big mystery has definitely been worth it.
