Netflix - Tudum 2025 : Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery – A gothic thriller with a star-studded cast steals the show

By Mulder, Los Angeles, Kia Forum, 31 may 0002 to 31 may 2025

During Netflix's global Tudum 2025 event for fans, one moment clearly surpassed all others: the unveiling of the first trailer for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, which sent fans and the press into a frenzy. The crowd, gathered virtually and in person, erupted when the distinctive voice of Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, echoed through the room once again. But this time, his charm was tinged with dread, as the images hinted at what Rian Johnson boldly calls Benoit Blanc's “most dangerous case.” The trailer, with its dark gothic aesthetic and palpable sense of foreboding, marked a major shift in tone for the beloved franchise and set the stage for what could be Netflix's biggest release of the year.

The Tudum stage itself was transformed into a movie theater, with dramatic lighting and dark images echoing the trailer's unsettling tone. Ryan Johnson, who participated in the presentation with his usual mix of geeky joy and narrative gravitas, explained that he wanted each Benoit Blanc film to be completely independent, like an album with its own “sound,” in his own words. His remarks were met with thunderous applause, especially when he introduced the prestigious cast that will accompany Craig on this new adventure. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as the cast was confirmed: Mila Kunis, Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Cailee Spaeny, and Daryl McCormack, each actor present in the room highlighted in dark close-ups that hinted at hidden motivations and deep secrets.

 This revelation, designed for maximum impact, had the effect of a revelation. The red carpet interviews that preceded the Tudum event were just as revealing.  Daniel Craig, as elegant and modest as ever, confided that stepping back into the shoes of Benoit Blanc was like reuniting with an old friend who never stops getting himself into trouble. Mila Kunis teased her role in the mystery, describing the film as radically different from Glass Onion, while Jeremy Renner finally addressed long-standing fan speculation about his involvement in the franchise. Skilfully referencing his cameo in Glass Onion, where he sold Renning Hot hot sauce, Jeremy Renner joked that this time around, he would be bringing more than just condiments to the table. Glenn Close, who is still recovering from a difficult production period marked by simultaneous bouts of COVID-19 and VRS, expressed her excitement at finally being part of a film with real twists and turns, despite only filming two days at the start of shooting due to health issues. The camaraderie between the actors was palpable, and the entire panel vibrated with the energy of a well-crafted mystery just waiting to be revealed.

What made the Tudum presentation so memorable wasn't just the images or the cast, but the clear message that Wake Up Dead Man is not just a sequel. Ryan Johnson's narrative approach continues to evolve, and with the full backing of Netflix (which notably signed an impressive $400 million deal for the two Knives Out sequels), the director has transformed what could have been a formulaic franchise into an anthology of modern mysteries with old-fashioned charm. According to Ryan Johnson, this third installment will draw heavily on the gothic roots of the genre, and his reference to Agatha Christie as a lasting influence has taken on even more weight this time around. Fans who have followed Benoit Blanc from the mansions of Massachusetts to the technological utopias of Greece nodded collectively: we are now heading into darker, perhaps more deadly territory.

The trailer was shown on giant screens to an audience already eager to learn more. It was a masterclass in suspenseful marketing, just enough to pique curiosity without giving too much away. And as the Tudum spotlights faded, Wake Up Dead Man had already established itself as the most anticipated Netflix movie of the year.

Discover the Tudum event official red carpet videos : 

itw Rian Johnson

itw Daniel Craig

itw Mila Kunis

itw Josh Brolin

itw Jeremy Renner

itw Kerry Washington

itw Cailee Spaeny

itw Daryl McCormack

Synopsis :
Benoit Blanc returns for his most dangerous case yet.

Written and directed by Rian Johnson
Produced by Ram Bergman, Rian Johnson, Katie McNeill
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
Cinematography : Steve Yedlin
Edited by Bob Ducsay
Music by Nathan Johnson
Production companies : T-Street Productions, Ram Bergman Productions
Distributed by Netflix
Release date : December 12, 2025 (United States, France)

Photos : Getty Images / Netflix