Knives Out 3 Cast: Meet the Stars of Wake Up Dead Man

Introduction: A New Mystery, A New Ensemble

The highly anticipated third installment in Rian Johnson’s acclaimed Knives Out franchise has arrived. Wake Up Dead Man is a 2025 American mystery film written and directed by Rian Johnson, serving as a standalone sequel to Glass Onion (2022) and the third installment overall in the Knives Out film series. The film was released in select theaters on November 26, 2025, and on Netflix on December 12. As with previous entries, the Knives Out 3 cast features an impressive array of talent that has captivated audiences worldwide.

The Star-Studded Cast of Knives Out 3

The film stars Daniel Craig, who reprises his role as master detective Benoit Blanc. The ensemble cast also includes Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church. This stellar lineup represents some of Hollywood’s finest actors, each bringing their unique talents to the mystery.

Wake Up Dead Man follows Blanc as he investigates a suspicious murder at a church in upstate New York. Josh O’Connor takes on a prominent role as Father Jud Duplenticy, a young priest who becomes entangled in the investigation. The casting continues Johnson’s tradition of assembling what he describes as a “dinner party” of talented actors who work well together.

Critical Reception and Box Office Success

The Knives Out 3 cast has delivered exceptional performances that critics have praised. On Rotten Tomatoes, 92% of 257 critics’ reviews are positive, with the consensus reading: “Giving Benoit Blanc a worthy mystery with its genuinely soulful fixation on faith and a scene-stealing Josh O’Connor performance, Wake Up Dead Man is another Knives Out puzzle that comes together splendidly.” Metacritic assigned the film a score of 81 out of 100, based on 57 critics, indicating “universal acclaim”.

Significance for the Franchise’s Future

The success of Wake Up Dead Man and its exceptional cast bodes well for the franchise’s future. In November 2025, it was announced that Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig were “starting to formulate ideas” for a potential fourth Knives Out movie. The strong chemistry among the Knives Out 3 cast members and the film’s critical acclaim demonstrate that Johnson’s unique approach to ensemble filmmaking continues to resonate with audiences and create compelling cinema that honours the classic whodunit tradition whilst remaining distinctly modern.