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Rian Johnson Talks Faith, Grace, and ‘Wake Up Dead Man’

Rian Johnson Talks Faith, Grace, and ‘Wake Up Dead Man’

Last updated on: December 10, 2025 at 11:33 pm by DeWayne Hamby

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Rian Johnson Talks Faith, Grace, and ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ 2025-12-10T23:33:48-04:00 DeWayne Hamby

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Benoit Blanc, the eccentric master detective played by Daniel Craig, returns in “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” facing what the film bills as his most dangerous and introspective case yet in the third installment of Rian Johnson’s acclaimed whodunit series.

Set against the backdrop of a small, troubled Catholic parish, the story follows young priest Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a former boxer reassigned after a violent outburst, as he arrives to assist the charismatic but divisive Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin).

Tensions simmer among Wicks’ devoted flock, including devout parishioner Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close), reserved groundskeeper Samson Holt (Thomas Haden Church), high-strung lawyer Vera Draven (Kerry Washington), ambitious politician Cy Draven (Daryl McCormack), local doctor Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), bestselling author Lee Ross (Andrew Scott) and talented concert cellist Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny).

When a sudden, seemingly impossible murder shatters the community — with no clear suspect in sight — local police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis) enlists Blanc to probe a puzzle that defies logic and delves into deeper questions of belief and human frailty.

Johnson, the writer-director behind the franchise, described “Wake Up Dead Man” as his most personal entry, pivoting from the broader satirical tones of “Knives Out” and “Glass Onion” to a profound exploration of faith through Father Jud’s spiritual journey.

“He comes into it full of youthful enthusiasm and maybe a little bit of naivete,” Johnson said of the character in recent interviews. “He’s a young man full of faith who wants to go out and change the world, but quickly encounters messy human realities that start to beat him down.”

The film’s introspective approach stems from Johnson’s own background. Raised in a deeply Christian household — first evangelical Protestant, then influenced by youth group culture (and impressively well versed in contemporary Christian music) — the director’s relationship with Christ formed his worldview, and still impacts it.

“I grew up very Christian, not just in a Christian household, but my relationship with Christ was just a massive part of my identity,” Johnson explained. “I’m not a believer anymore, but I have lots of feelings about it and lots of things that I still carry over into my present life.”

This personal history informs the narrative’s refusal to engage in simplistic debates about theology. Instead, the story examines faith through nuanced interactions, particularly the evolving dynamic between the idealistic Father Jud and the rational, skeptical Blanc.

“They don’t hold back in terms of both expressing with Blanc why he very much is not a believer, and very much in all his cynicism about the church, and then Judd responding in this generous way,” he said.

Their partnership serves as a microcosm for broader discussions on belief, doubt, tolerance and cross-ideological understanding in a polarized world.

“It was important to me that they end up learning something from each other,” Johnson said. “It’s not about Blanc having a religious conversion, but about him drawing something from Father Jud — something to do with grace towards fellow human beings.”

Balancing spiritual depth with the genre’s signature entertainment value proved challenging, Johnson noted. He aimed for a conversation about faith that feels “neither toothless nor offensive” while delivering twists, humor and suspense.

O’Connor’s portrayal captures a modern theological arc: one marked by resilience, questioning and a commitment to spiritual service amid personal trials. Johnson described Duplenticy’s path as discovering how to “be a good priest” and extend grace to those in need, even after profound challenges.

The film also mirrors contemporary struggles with division, proposing dialogue and empathy as antidotes.

Johnson views the Benoit-Father Jud relationship as a model for engagement across differences: “We’re trying to get to a place where we can have a genuinely additive relationship with people who have opposing views.”

Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and released in select theaters Nov. 26, “Wake Up Dead Man” arrives on Netflix on Thursday. Critics have praised its sharp mystery, stellar ensemble and thoughtful handling of themes, with many (including me) calling it the strongest in the series.

Ultimately, Johnson said, the movie transcends the whodunit format to become a meditation on faith, doubt and shared humanity — urging viewers to embrace complexity and recognize that growth often lies in openness and continuous learning rather than certainty.

“Wake Up Dead Man,” written, directed and produced by Rian Johnson and starring Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, Thomas Haden Church, is now streaming on Netflix.

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