Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, and Cailee Spaeny spar with Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc in the latest “Knives Out” mystery.

Wake Up Dead Man cast: Meet the suspects (and victim) in Rian Johnson’s new Knives Out whodunnit

Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, and Cailee Spaeny spar with Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc in the latest "Knives Out" mystery.

By Randall Colburn

Randall Colburn

Randall Colburn is a writer and editor at **. His work has previously appeared on *The A.V. Club, The Guardian, The Ringer*, and many other publications.

EW's editorial guidelines

December 12, 2025 3:00 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Josh O'Connor and Daniel Craig in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'. Credit:

John Wilson/Netflix

- *Wake Up Dead Man* is the latest mystery in Rian Johnson's *Knives Out* franchise.

- Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, and Kerry Washington star alongside Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc.

- The whodunnit is now streaming on Netflix.

Benoit Blanc's latest whodunnit has the intuitive investigator looking into the face of God.

*Wake Up Dead Man*, the third film in Rian Johnson's *Knives Out* franchise, is set in a small community in upstate New York, the kind of tranquil hamlet with more churches than homes. There, the monsignor of Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude is found murdered in what Blanc later describes as a "classic impossible crime."

"There's a thing called a 'locked-door mystery,' which is the impossible crime, and that's how the movie kind of starts," said Daniel Craig, who plays Blanc, in conversation with ** at the Toronto International Film Festival. "For [Blanc], this is like catnip. The impossible crime is his biggest challenge."

Suspicion falls on Josh O'Connor's Jud Duplenticy, a new assistant pastor with a violent past. But surely the answer isn't so obvious — this is a *Knives Out* movie, after all.

The list of potential suspects is not only long, but stacked with Oscar winners, A-listers, and rising stars. Below, see who's who in *Wake Up Dead Man* — and where you've seen them before.**

Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc

Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'.

Courtesy of Netflix

Daniel Craig cut his teeth on series like *The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles* (1993) and* Tales From the Crypt* (1996) before raising his profile with supporting roles in *Elizabeth* (1998), *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider* (2001), and *Road to Perdition* (2002).

But the English actor sauntered into the global spotlight (or was it the crosshairs?) when he debuted as James Bond in 2006's *Casino Royale*. His beefier, grittier Bond led four more features, the last being 2021's *No Time to Die*.

Throughout his run as 007, Craig stayed busy with roles in big-budget genre films (*The Golden Compass*, *Cowboys & Aliens*) and quirkier fare, like Steven Soderbergh's *Logan Lucky *(2017) and Johnson's *Knives Out *(2019), in which he first adopted the Southern drawl of private detective Benoit Blanc.

After reprising Blanc for *Glass Onion* (2022) and unleashing a daring performance in Luca Guadagnino's swooning *Queer* (2024), Craig is re-teaming with Johnson for a third *Knives Out* film in *Wake Up Dead Man*.

Speaking with *Town & Country*, the actor reflected on Johnson's ability to round up such impressive ensembles for each film. "I wonder if that’s one of the reasons that they’re tempting to do [is] because your character might be the murderer, or might be the victim," he said. "All of the casts we’ve had, bar none, have come wanting to be involved with the overused word of 'an ensemble,' but it is a genuine ensemble and I know the difference."

Josh Brolin as Msgr. Jefferson Wicks

Josh Brolin as Jefferson Wicks in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'.

John Wilson/Netflix

The ubiquitous Josh Brolin, the son of famed actor James Brolin, began his career being "good enough" in *The Goonies* (1985). He worked sporadically throughout the late '80s and early '90s, but enjoyed a career resurgence thanks to his work in genre fare like *Nightwatch* (1997), *Hollow Man* (2000), and *Melinda and Melinda* (2004).

He went on to earn acclaim in the Oscar-winning film *No Country For Old Men* (2007) and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his turn as Dan White in Gus Van Sant's *Milk* (2008).

Since then, he's worked with many of the best directors in Hollywood, including Spike Lee (*Oldboy*), Paul Thomas Anderson (*Inherent Vice*), and Denis Villeneuve (*Sicario, Dune*). You may also have seen him playing purple warlord Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Through the looking glass: Inside 'Knives Out' sequel 'Glass Onion'

Josh Brolin reflects on former friendship with Donald Trump: 'There is no greater genius than him in marketing'

Brolin remains prolific. In addition to *Wake Up Dead Man*, he appeared in two other 2025 releases: Zach Cregger's *Weapons* and Edgar Wright's *The Running Man*.

Brolin plays a small but pivotal role in *Wake Up Dead Man* as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, the reverend whose murder brings Blanc to his rural parish.

"This role, a priest, scared me wildly," Brolin said during an August 2025 spot on* The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, *going on to describe Wicks as* *"212 pounds of manly priest."**

Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix

Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'.

Courtesy of Netflix

After half a century, three Emmy wins, and eight Academy Award nominations, Glenn Close is still going strong.

The actress first turned heads in movies like *The World According to Garp* (1982) and *The Natural* (1984), then scared the bejesus out of unfaithful men everywhere with her chilling turn in *Fatal Attraction* (1987). Close also blazed a trail in the mid-aughts by taking major roles on series like *The Shield* (2005) and *Damages* (2007–2012), which was unorthodox for A-list film stars at the time.

Her most recent Oscar nomination was for Ron Howard's *Hillbilly Elegy* (2020), which she chased with roles in *The Deliverance* (2022) and *Back in Action* (2025), as well as Hulu's *All Fair* (2025), in which she stars opposite Kim Kardashian.

She'll next appear in *Sunrise on the Reaping*, the latest film in the *Hunger Games* franchise.

Here, she plays Martha Delacroix, a devout member of Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude.

"I never thought of myself in one of the *Knives Out *movies, and I was so thrilled to be included. To hear about everyone else who was in it. We just became this wonderful ensemble company. And we kept each other company through the whole shoot," she said during a Q&A at the Toronto International Film Festival. "We were always in our tent laughing, sleeping, reading, getting to know each other. It's one of the great gifts to have such an intense experience with people who you know will be your dear friends for the rest of your life."**

Josh O’Connor as Rev. Jud Duplenticy

Josh O'Connor as Jud in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'.

Courtesy of Netflix

After scoring an Emmy for his turn as Charles, Prince of Wales, on *The Crown *(2019–2020), Josh O'Connor has worked with a range of maverick filmmakers, including Luca Guadagnino (*Challengers*), Alice Rohrwacher (*La Chimera*), and Kelly Reichardt (*The Mastermind*).

O'Connor helps lead *Wake Up Dead Man* as Rev. Jud Duplenticy, a prime suspect due to his dark past, foul mouth, and anger issues.**

"We often hold priests, or in any sort of faith or religion, that role of hierarchical leader or preacher or priest or whatever it is, there's this subconscious notion of them being otherworldly or not human," O'Connor told EW ahead of the movie's release. "When the reality is they are human. And Jud is flawed, *deeply* flawed, and guilty. He swears. He's a young priest trying his best to fit in. He's this young man who's come straight out of priest school and is ready to take on the world, and he's just slowly pulled apart by Wicks."**

Jeremy Renner as Dr. Nat Sharp

Jeremy Renner as Dr. Nat Sharp in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'.

Jeremy Renner made his big-screen debut as a stoned high schooler named Dags in *National Lampoon's Senior Trip* (1995), but it wasn't until his unsettling turn as serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in 2002's *Dahmer* that he became a Hollywood regular. In 2008, he starred in Kathryn Bigelow's *The Hurt Locker*, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

He scored another Oscar nomination for Ben Affleck's *The Town* (2010) before taking up a bow as Hawkeye in several Marvel projects (2011–2021). Along the way, he starred in acclaimed films like *American Hustle* (2013), *Arrival* (2016) and *Wind River* (2017).

Currently, he leads the Paramount+ hit *Mayor of Kingstown* (2021–present).

Renner is an amusing addition to *Wake Up Dead Man*, as the previous *Knives Out* film, *Glass Onion*, included a gag where Blanc burned his tongue on a Renner-sponsored hot sauce called "Renning Hot!"

But his character in *Wake Up Dead Man* isn't nearly so spicy. "He has no idea who he is," Renner told EW of Dr. Nat Sharp, the local physician. "He's a sad doctor... He's a sad man. That's the archetype I play: dad in crisis."**

Mila Kunis as Geraldine Scott

Mila Kunis as Geraldine Scott in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'.

Mila Kunis has been integral to two of TV's biggest hits of this century. Not only did she play Jackie Burkhart on all eight seasons of *That '70s Show* (1998–2006), but she continues to voice Meg Griffin on Fox's *Family Guy* (1999–present).**

Over the past two decades, she's also appeared in films like *Forgetting Sarah Marshall* (2008),* Friends With Benefits* (2011), *Bad Moms* (2016), and *A Bad Moms Christmas* (2017). Her sultry and disquieting turn in Darren Aronofsky's *Black Swan* (2010) earned her a Golden Globe nomination.

Kunis costars in *Wake Up Dead Man* as Geraldine Scott, the local police chief. But in a chat with the *Radio Times*, Kunis said she'd have been happy to play *anybody.* "When Rian and I met for breakfast, before I knew what this movie was about, I sat down, and I was like, 'Listen, I'll just do it,'" she said.**

Kerry Washington as Vera Draven

Kerry Washington as Vera Draven in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'.

Kerry Washington appeared in movies like *Save the Last Dance* (2001), *Fantastic Four* (2005), and *Django Unchained* (2012) before producing and starring in Shonda Rhimes' ABC hit *Scandal *(2012–2018), which earned her two Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nod.

Over the past few years, she starred on *Little Fires Everywhere *(2020) and *The Six Triple Eight* (2024), both of which she executive produced. She'll next appear in Ben Affleck's upcoming crime thriller *Animals* and the Apple TV series* Imperfect Women*.

In *Wake Up Dead Man*, she plays Vera Draven, a local lawyer.

Speaking with PEOPLE in September 2025, she described the influence of Gothic author Edgar Allen Poe on the film, as well as its spiritual themes. "[*Wake Up Dead Man*] grapples with these real issues of faith and the idea of having the courage to examine what faith really means for you and how you practice your faith," she said.

Andrew Scott as Lee Ross

Andrew Scott as Lee Ross in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'.

Though he's become a household name in recent years, Andrew Scott's career spans three decades, featuring supporting roles in HBO miniseries like *Band of Brothers* (2001) and *John Adams* (2008). He rose to prominence playing Moriarty on BBC One's *Sherlock* (2010–2017), and became a sex symbol as the "hot priest" on *Fleabag* (2019).

Most recently, the Irish actor costarred as famed composer Richard Rodgers in Richard Linklater's sublime *Blue Moon* (2025). He also earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his leading turn in Netflix's *Ripley* (2024).

Scott costars as a best-selling author named Lee Ross. "It's a great premise for a film. Because there's a murder mystery, but there's also mysteries [of the church] that we recognize," he told the *Radio Times*. "[The] question of what happens to us when we're no longer on the earth... it's the thing that faith is based on and so there's just an innate, well, mystery is the best word for it. And that marries with the subject matter of a whodunnit really beautifully.”

Thomas Haden Church as Samson Holt

Thomas Haden Church as Samson Holt in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'.

Thomas Haden Church lit up countless TVs in the 1990s thanks to his roles on *Wings* (1990–1995) and *Ned and Stacey* (1995–1997), but the distinctive, barrel-chested actor's Oscar-nominated performance in *Sideways* (2004) helped turn him into a regular on the big screen.

He's worked with several cinema titans, including James L. Brooks (*Spanglish*), Sam Raimi (*Spider-Man 3*), Cameron Crowe (*We Bought a Zoo*), and William Friedkin (*Killer Joe*). He returned to the small screen with HBO's *Divorce* (2016–2019), on which he was also a producer.

Most recently, he appeared on Peacock's* Twisted Metal* (2023) and season 2 of the Netflix comedy *Tires* (2025).

In *Wake up Dead Man*, Church plays the church's gruff groundskeeper, Samson Holt. It was a full-circle moment for the actor, as he was nearly cast in the first *Knives Out*.

“I almost did the first one, I came very, very close on the first one, [it was] between me and Don Johnson to do the first one,” he said in a recent chat with Decider. “And I met and had a really great interview with Rian back then. And he told me, he said, 'I’m going to keep my eye out for you.’ And sure enough, it was like a year ago in April, they were just like, ‘Hey, Rian Johnson wants to talk to you.'”

Cailee Spaeny as Simone Vivane

Cailee Spaeny as Simone Vivane in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'.

Cailee Spaeny has built her budding career on a number of real-life figures, having portrayed Jane Ginsburg (*On the Basis of Sex*), Lynne Cheney (*Vice*), and, most notably, Priscilla Presley (*Priscilla*), the latter of which earned her a Golden Globe nomination.

She's also a frequent collaborator of Alex Garland, having starred in the filmmaker's TV series *Devs* (2020) and his critically acclaimed 2024 film *Civil War*. She recently led the sci-fi horror hit *Alien: Romulus* (2024) and will next lead season 2 of Netflix's *Beef*.

Spaeny appears in *Wake Up Dead Man* as Simone Vivane, a former concert cellist. In a chat on TODAY, she described herself as "the baby on set" and discussed how she learned to play cello for the role.

"Cello is a very hard instrument to play. It's not like the piano where you can make a nice sound when you hit a key. It takes a lot of work. They're true athletes," she said. "It was really the cherry on top of this whole experience, I had private cello lessons. I've got about 30 seconds of one song, it's my new party trick."

Daryl McCormack as Cy Draven

Daryl McCormack as Cy Draven in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'.

Daryl McCormack began his screen career on the Irish soap *Fair City* (2015–2016), then landed the role of Isaiah Jesus on the fiercely beloved series *Peaky Blinders* (2019–2022).

His performance in *Good Luck to You, Leo Grande* (2022), in which he starred opposite Emma Thompson, earned him ample acclaim, leading to roles on Apple TV's *Bad Sisters* (2022–2024) and the 2024 blockbuster *Twisters*.

McCormack rounds out the cast as Cy Draven, an aspiring politician who's never far from a camera. “He takes up video vlogging and really starts to use the Christian faith as a vehicle to move forward into a place of influence and power,” the actor told the *Hollywood Reporter* of his character. “So he does definitely represent, for me, someone who uses faith as a means to rage bait and [appease] their own greedy appetite, which, sadly, there are plenty of examples of out there.”

Where can I watch Wake Up Dead Man?

*Wake Up Dead Man* is now streaming on Netflix.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

- Movie Reviews & Recommendations

- Thriller & Mystery Movies

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Thriller”