WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY

Year: 2025
Rated PG-13
Genre: Dark Comedy, Murder Mystery, Thriller
Language: English
​Runtime: 2:24:00
Director: Rian Johnson
Main Cast: Daniel Craig, Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, Thomas Haden Church, Jeffrey Wright

Notable Mentions: Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix

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At first, I thought this was better than the first Knives Out film. I was caught off guard by its style. Western thriller films generally lack style. I saw South Korean influences. The scene where Daniel Craig and Josh O'Connor converse in the forest. In the background, a shadowy figure, holding a lantern, walks across the screen. That scene reminded me of Memories of Murder. The comedic bits sprinkled throughout the film. So Bong Joon-ho coded. And Bong Joon-ho directed Memories of Murder. The film's style for sure eclipsed the first film. The story, however, wasn't as refined. There were too many miscellaneous characters that exist just for distraction, for the sake of having an ensemble on the film poster. Glenn Close was a standout. Daniel Craig looked terrible with long hair.

May 24, 26.