Wake Up Dead Man: Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc Returns for a Chilling Holiday Case on Netflix

The world of stylish, twisty mysteries is about to get its sharpest sleuth back. Daniel Craig reprises his role as the inscrutable detective Benoit Blanc in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, arriving on Netflix on December 12, 2025, following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025. This standalone sequel promises the same clever plotting and ensemble energy that made the franchise a global phenomenon.

Confirmed Premiere: December 12, 2025 on Netflix

Netflix has set the global streaming debut for Friday, December 12, 2025, giving audience access to the mystery months after the film’s introspective TIFF premiere. The festival debut signals both critical respect and holiday excitement—intent on keeping the buzz alive from early September through the winter release.

What’s at Stake This Time Around

In Wake Up Dead Man, Benoit Blanc faces a new, tangled web of secrets. While full plot twists remain embargoed, early word and promotional material suggest a case involving a wealthy dynasty, suspicious deaths, and a guest list that reads like a who’s-who of talent—all with hidden agendas. Blanc arrives once again to untangle truth and deception, piecing together clues with his signature Southern charm and razor-sharp intuition.

The All-Star Cast Brings Complexity to Every Turn

The mystery world has rarely seen such a stacked cast:

• Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc—determined, perceptive, charismatic.

• Josh O’Connor plays a conflicted reverend entangled in more than spiritual matters.

• Glenn Close brings steely elegance to a matriarch harboring family secrets.

• Josh Brolin appears as a priest with ambiguous motives, raising both suspicion and sympathy.

• Mila Kunis is cast as the chief of police, torn between upholding the law and protecting community ties.

• Jeremy Renner takes on a medical examiner role, delivering findings that sow deeper confusion.

• Kerry Washington portrays a shrewd journalist who might be digging for justice—or drama.

• Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church round out the investigative and suspect ensemble—each with motives and mysteries of their own.

This is a film where every character feels both real and possible culprit, leaving room for suspicion at every turn.

Rian Johnson’s Return to Mystery Craftsmanship

Writer-director Rian Johnson, who brought Knives Out and Glass Onion to life, is back to steer this next puzzle. Production under Johnson’s guidance wrapped earlier this year, with the final product unveiled at TIFF—signaling confidence in its quality. His team includes trusted collaborators: cinematographer Steve Yedlin, editor Bob Ducsay, and composer Nathan Johnson, all returning to preserve the franchise’s blend of visual flair and tonal balance.

Expect the same playful tone—layered clues, red herrings, interpersonal intrigue—driving toward a satisfying but surprising solution.

Festival Debut at TIFF: A Launchpad for Word-of-Mouth

Wake Up Dead Man was unveiled at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, setting the stage for a wave of critical attention. Initial reviews praised Craig’s performance as both familiar and revitalized—more internal nuance, sharper misdirection. The ensemble was noted for its mix of gravitas and sly humour, keeping the mystery sharp. This is a film built for both awards season and water-cooler chatter.

Netflix Premiere—Holiday Viewing with a Bite

The December 12 release positions Wake Up Dead Man as a smart holiday indulgence. It’s the perfect post-feast watch: entertaining, engaging, and emotionally satisfying. Expect a Netflix-driven hype cycle fueled by watch parties, social media breakdowns of clues, and freshly minted meme culture centered around the next Benoit Biel.

Episode-Style Flow in Film Form

Although it’s a feature, this isn’t a traditional two-hour whodunit. Johnson’s structure deliberately gives each key character and thread room to breathe:

Each beat lands with the heft of series storytelling, but delivered in one cinematic sweep.

Why Wake Up Dead Man Matters

1. Holiday mystery appetite – A refreshing option amid winter genres like romance and animation.

2. Benoit Blanc continued – Fans of Daniel Craig’s detective will find both comfort and surprise.

3. A fresh ensemble – New suspects, new power dynamics, new generational stakes.

4. Smart entertainment for any viewer – Puzzle lovers and casual fans alike will find something to savor.

5. Netflix’s big year-end push – This is the kind of event content that drives subscriptions and water-cooler talk.

Final Thoughts

Wake Up Dead Man hits Netflix on December 12, 2025, and it promises to deliver everything fans loved plus surprises that feel fresh. Daniel Craig is back, the ensemble is superb, and Rian Johnson’s storytelling is sharper than ever. Get ready for a holiday mystery that plays with expectations, challenges assumptions, and delivers that satisfying “aha!” moment long after the final scene.