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Josh O’Connor Shines in Rian Johnson’s Latest ‘Knives Out’ Mystery, ‘Wake Up Dead Man’
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A new installment in the popular whodunit series, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, delivers familiar twists and turns, but it’s Josh O’Connor’s performance as a conflicted priest that truly elevates the film. Released by Netflix, the latest offering from writer and director Rian Johnson continues the saga begun in 2019 with Knives Out, starring Daniel Craig as the astute detective Benoit Blanc.
A Parish Plagued by Secrets and Suspicion
The knives Out franchise has consistently drawn audiences with its intricate mysteries and colorful characters.This time, the action unfolds in a serene, upstate New York parish, disrupted by the death of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, played with fiery intensity by Josh Brolin. Wicks, described as a “megalomaniac” with a firm grip on his congregation, is found stabbed, launching Blanc into another complex investigation.
The victim’s followers are a motley crew, including a “crackpot sci-fi writer” (Andrew Scott), a devoted longtime servant (Glenn Close), and a lawyer seemingly under Wicks’ sway (Kerry Washington). Adding to the intrigue is Father Jud Duplenticy, portrayed by O’Connor, a newly assigned priest with a hidden past as a boxer and a confession of past violence. He immediately becomes a prime suspect.
A Cluttered Plot, But Compelling Performances
Critics note that the plot of Wake Up Dead Man is “fatally cluttered,” becoming lost in “a blur of exposition.” The large ensemble cast – featuring Jeremy Renner, Cailee Spaeny, and Thomas Haden Church alongside the aforementioned stars – means some characters are underdeveloped. However, the film maintains the series’ signature wit and engaging dialog.
As one observer noted, the conclusion is almost secondary to the journey itself. The narrative is “dotted with offhanded jokes and one-liners that are occasionally extremely witty,” relying heavily on the actors’ impeccable timing.A notably memorable scene involves the cleanup of a mausoleum defaced with graffiti,prompting a disapproving reaction from Close’s character,who laments,”it makes me sick,these kids putting rocket ships all over his sacred resting place!”
O’Connor’s Performance Steals the Show
Despite the star power of Craig and Brolin, it is Josh O’Connor who emerges as the standout performer.While Craig’s Blanc delivers his customary insightful commentary – deeming the case an “impossible crime” – O’Connor’s Father Jud captivates with his complexity.
The character is shrouded in mystery, hinted at by a visible neck tattoo and a troubled history.A particularly striking scene involves a confession where Wicks details his personal indulgences, prompting a visible reaction from Father Jud that leaves viewers questioning his own inner demons. Yet, O’Connor also portrays a profound empathy, offering genuine comfort to a local contractor grappling with a difficult family situation.
“He radiates the kind of sunshiny grace that makes you believe heavenly forgiveness is possible,” one reviewer observed. O’Connor also delivers the film’s most memorable lines with comedic precision. When Blanc questions the selection of murder mysteries for the church book club – including works by Edgar Allan Poe and Agatha Christie – Father Jud responds with a disarming simplicity: “Oprah.”
In a film that largely adheres to the established Knives Out formula, O’Connor’s performance is a genuine revelation, proving to be a true “miracle worker.”
