Wake Up Dead Man adds a delightfully dark twist to Knives Out
- Wake Up Dead Man, the latest Benoit Blanc mystery, offers a delightfully dark twist on the Knives Out franchise.
- The film pays homage to Edgar Allan Poe’s gothic vibes and returns to the whodunit genre’s roots.
- Director Rian Johnson successfully balances darkness with humor, creating a unique tone that is both twisted and hilarious.
- The movie features surprising reveals that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats, including gasps from the audience during screenings.
- Wake Up Dead Man offers a fresh take on the Knives Out formula while still maintaining its signature style and wit.
When director Rian Johnson introduced the new Knives Out film on the third day of TIFF 2025, he exclaimed: “we’re going back to church.”
By that he meant that Wake Up Dead Man, the latest Benoit Blanc mystery, would harken back to the origins of the whodunit, and in particular the gothic vibes of Edgar Allan Poe. And now that I’ve seen it, I have to say that Johnson pulled it off: the new movie has a darker and more spiritual feel than its predecessors, and yet it’s still distinctly Knives Out, which is to say twisting and hilarious. I gasped a few times, as did the rest of audience, at the many reveals. I’ll have a full review in the comin …
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Q. Who introduced the new Knives Out film at TIFF 2025?
A. Director Rian Johnson.
Q. What did director Rian Johnson mean by “we’re going back to church” when introducing the new Knives Out film?
A. He meant that the new movie would harken back to the origins of the whodunit and have a darker, more spiritual feel.
Q. What is the main theme or vibe of the new Wake Up Dead Man film?
A. The new Wake Up Dead Man film has a darker and more spiritual feel than its predecessors.
Q. How does the new Wake Up Dead Man film compare to its predecessors in terms of tone?
A. It’s still distinctly Knives Out, which means it’s twisting and hilarious.
Q. What inspired director Rian Johnson to create a darker and more spiritual film?
A. The inspiration is likely from Edgar Allan Poe’s gothic vibes.
Q. Did the audience react positively to the many reveals in the new Wake Up Dead Man film?
A. Yes, the author of the review gasped along with the rest of the audience at several points.
Q. Will there be a full review of the new Wake Up Dead Man film on The Verge?
A. Yes, it will be published soon.
Q. What is the title of the new Knives Out film mentioned in the text?
A. Wake Up Dead Man.
Q. When was the new Knives Out film introduced at TIFF 2025?
A. On the third day of TIFF 2025.
Q. Is the tone of the new Wake Up Dead Man film similar to its predecessors?
A. Yes, it’s still distinctly Knives Out in terms of tone.