Streaming Review: WAKE UP DEAD MAN

The Benoit Blanc mystery series - written and directed by Rian Johnson (BRICK) - is now in it’s 3rd iteration. And, despite critical acclaim, the first 2 films of this series, starring Daniel Craig (the most recent James Bond) left me a bit cold. I wanted to like them, but felt left at arms lengt (more so the 2nd one, GLASS ONION, than the first one KNIVES OUT).

With the 3rd film of the series, WAKE UP DEAD MAN, they finally figured it out.

As written and directed by Johnson, WAKE UP DEAD MAN follows a young priest played by Josh O’Connor (he played Prince Charles in the Princess Diana season of THE CROWN) who goes to a shrinking parish led by an enigmatic and bullying priest played by Josh Brolin (oh, let’s just say NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN). When a murder happens, an all star cast of suspects is under investigation by famed detective Benoit Blanc (Craig).

And it is this marriage of murder mystery and detective that will make or break this series and with this 3rd film, both Johnson and Craig finally figured it out, settling into a character and a mystery that is as comfortable as an old sweater and as challenging as a tough crossword puzzle. They accomplish this by not trying too hard to be clever and they avoid the temptation to trick things up (too much).

The All-Star cast of suspects is lead by Glenn Close (THE BIG CHILL), Andrew Scott (the “hot priest” in the TV Series FLEABAG), Thomas Haden Church (SIDEWAYS) and Jeremy Renner (THE HURT LOCKER) amongst others and all of them know exactly what type of film they are making and shine in their moments while contributing to the overall effectiveness of the piece.

WAKE UP DEAD MAN is a fine and satisfying murder mystery (and series) that has found it’s groove and is a pleasant enough way to spend a couple of hours on a cold winter’s evening.

Letter Grade: A-

8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)