(Ben Keane / Fourth Estate)
Josh O’Connor shines in a sequel that is just as comedic as it is intriguing
BY BEN KEANE, STAFF WRITER
“Wake Up Dead Man,” the third film in Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” franchise, recaptures the magic of the series’ first film. Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc is given an engaging lead actor in Josh O’Connor to play off, even if the supporting cast is the most mundane of the franchise.
While some audiences might roll their eyes at the film’s religious commentary, Johnson never loses track of why everyone loves these movies: They are truly entertaining. As long as Craig is on board, I would watch ten more of these.
The success of the franchise is largely associated with Craig’s delightful recurring role as Blanc, a southern detective to whom no case is unsolvable. This time, newcomer O’Connor steals the show and acts as the true heartbeat of the film.
The British actor, best known for “Challengers,” once again puts on an American accent. He plays Jud Duplenticy, a young priest eager to please the people of his new congregation in a fictional New York town.
Standing in Jud’s way is Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, played by Josh Brolin. Wicks, a charismatic but menacing priest, uses terror to reign over his congregation. The film is littered with commentary on Christian nationalism, with Wicks’ unrelenting menace contrasting against Jud’s desire to to spread love in God’s name.
O’Connor plays Jud admirably, capturing the struggle between his desire for unity and his contempt for Wicks. When a member of the church is murdered, Jud is the first to be accused as the only member of the church that hasn’t bought into Wicks’ inner circle.
With the town’s sheriff unwilling to blame Jud, she calls in Blanc to solve the murder.
The cast of characters that occupy the town are portrayed by notable actors such as Glenn Close (“Fatal Attraction”), Kerry Washington (“Scandal”), Jeremy Renner (“The Avengers”) and Andrew Scott (“Fleabag”). Unfortunately, the periphery characters never have enough to do as the film revolves around O’Connor, Craig and Brolin. While the trio shines, the script leaves something to be desired from the supporting cast.
Craig relishes every line, continuing to establish Benoit Blanc as one of the most iconic film characters of the 21st century. A lesser performance might feel out of place in “Wake Up Dead Man,” but Craig weaves warmth with comedy in such a way that the audience always feels at home when he is on-screen.
The whodunnit itself is at the same level as the franchise’s first installment. Johnson is tremendous at building mysteries before meticulously revealing the answers throughout the film.
On the surface, uncovering the mystery with Blanc is what brings audiences to this franchise. But it is the heart of each story that truly makes this franchise what it is. Ana de Armas’ portrayal of Marta Cabrera, a nurse trying to provide for her immigrant family, is the focal point of the first film. Blanc’s resolve in clearing her name and seeing the good in her is what made him a great character, not his ludicrous accent or elegant suits.
The sequel saw Janelle Monáe fill the role of the lone sympathetic individual among a cast of unlikeable caricatures, with only Blanc on her side. Perhaps the greatest weakness of “Glass Onion” is that Monáe doesn’t speak until almost an hour into the film, leaving just just over half the film to establish her character and the murder-mystery.
With “Glass Onion,” Johnson got caught up in Craig’s ability to monologue with a southern drawl — the sequel offered more explanation than mystery. Before the audience knew what to ask, Benoit Blanc was serenading us with metaphor-laden speeches, leading to an unsatisfying conclusion compared to its predecessor.
“Wake Up Dead Man” veers closer to the restraint of the first film, but it feels that the characters stop in their tracks to be witness to the sleuth’s findings a little too often. Craig’s performance is best when his discoveries are moving the plot forward, not when the film comes to a halt to lay them out.
However, its best moments prove that Blanc is best utilized as a secondary character, assuring the audience’s faith in the main character. O’Connor bears the weight of the film and it is all the better for it.
The combination of Craig and O’Connor with Rian Johnson as a steady hand makes “Wake Up Dead Man” a terrific four out of five stars film. Whether you’re a fan of the franchise or not, it is well worth a watch.
