Why watch 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'
Sol Swenson | Special to the Bell Ringer
The newest installment in the Knives Out franchise centers itself on young priest, Father Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), and his struggle to find footing in a crumbling church headed by the venomous Msgr. Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin).
At Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude, Msgr. Jefferson fosters a small flock of Catholics with nowhere else to turn. What begins as a battle of wits between the two priests eventually slips into a familiar but fresh whodunnit with Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) picking apart the secrets of parishioners and priests alike.
What sets the Knives Out franchise apart from other modern mysteries is an attempt to provide meaning beyond the pulpy story in front of us. The past Knives Out movie (“Glass Onion”) found some depth and a sincerity rare to modern Hollywood, but it eventually sacrificed the exploration of its characters for a slapstick plot.
Where “Glass Onion” turned left, “Wake Up Dead Man” turns right. The new movie separates itself from its predecessors in its ability to merge thoughtful and emotional character arcs with a pulsing mystery. The filmmakers are not scared to linger on a moment of wordless doubt in a parishioner or listen in on a prayer between two lost souls.
In this way, director and writer Rian Johnson owes as much debt to “First Reformed” or “The Master” as he does to “Clue” and Agatha Christie. Through a grounded performance from O’Connor and an incisive script, Johnson manages to ask as many questions about guilt and faith as Detective Blanc does about time and motives.
The most interesting aspect of “Wake Up Dead Man” is its choice to shed positive light on religion in a time when nihilism sells. Placing us in a world full of spiteful and opportunistic characters that mirror modern conditions, Johnson views us as the skeptical observer in Detective Blanc and challenges us to become the earnest optimist in Father Duplenticy.
“Wake Up Dead Man” is ultimately a story about religion (and more broadly, hope) as a powerful avenue for change, and how that change is only as righteous as the intentions of those seeking it.
Note: The movie was released on Netflix on Dec. 12. It is currently being shown at Evans Cinemas. Check with the theater for daily showing times at https://www.gtcmovies.com/evans/home.
Contact Sol Swenson at soswenson@augusta.edu.
