Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery brings another twist-heavy chapter to Rian Johnson’s hit franchise. The 2025 film brings back Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc, who this time steps into a murder case set inside a troubled Catholic church.
The film stars an impressive ensemble cast, including Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin, Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Cailee Spaeny, Mila Kunis, Andrew Scott, Thomas Haden Church, and Daryl McCormack. Here’s a simple explanation of what happens and how the story ends.
The improbable death of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks
The story begins when Reverend Judge Duplantisi, played by Josh O’Connor, arrives at Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude after transferring from another church. The parish is controlled by Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, played by Josh Brolin, who leads with strictness and ulterior motives.
During a service, Wicks steps into a small alcove behind the pulpit and collapses, being stabbed. There is no one in the room, so it is an “impossible” murder. Benoît Blanc joins the case an hour into the film and begins to unravel a web of mysteries involving members of the church.
Thanks to continuous recording by Cy Draven, the group discovers that Wicks planned to reveal everyone’s secrets and leave the church. A hidden family fortune also plays a major role, a rare jewel that was swallowed by Jefferson’s grandfather, the Reverend Prentiss Wicks.
what happens here
Wicks’ flask contains a paralyzing substance, but the fatal blow is delivered by dentist Nat Sharp, who takes out a fake knife and stabs Wicks with a real one. Later, when the gentleman appears to “rise from the dead”, he is actually Samson Holt in disguise. Nate kills Samson in hopes of securing the jewel for himself.
Wicks’s dedicated assistant, Martha Delacroix, uncovers Nat’s intentions. She switches their coffee cups, causing Nat to poison himself. She then stages the scene to make it appear as if Jefferson dipped Nat in acid. Martha confessed everything to the judge, listening to Blank. She also admits to poisoning herself to save the jewels from greedy hands.
Ultimately, the investigation reveals how Wicks manipulated his troupe for years. Each member grapples with personal guilt, resentment or hidden truths, including Vera Draven learning that Cy is Wicks’s illegitimate son.
Martha dies with the jewel in her hand. The judge decided to save it from further chaos. He renamed the church Our Lady of Perpetual Grace in memory of Jefferson’s mother, Grace Wicks. He hides the jewel inside a wooden figure of Jesus above the altar, hoping for a peaceful future for the parish.
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