Third ‘Knives Out’ film gets rapturous TIFF premiere

The third installment in Rian Johnson's acclaimed "Knives Out" series had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday night, with "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" receiving rapturous applause and early critical acclaim that suggests the franchise may have reached a new creative peak. The film stars Daniel Craig returning as master detective Benoit Blanc alongside an ensemble cast including Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, and Mila Kunis.people+2

Johnson's latest murder mystery marks a tonal shift for the series, trading the autumn coziness of the original film and tropical setting of "Glass Onion" for a darker, gothic atmosphere set in a small upstate New York church. The director drew inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe's writings and G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown mysteries, creating what many critics are calling the most ambitious and emotionally resonant entry in the trilogy.hollywoodreporter+2

Early Reviews Praise Gothic Turn

Critics who attended the TIFF premiere have overwhelmingly praised the film's sophisticated blend of humor and deeper themes. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film "becomes too clever and convoluted for its own good" but benefits from Josh O'Connor's standout performance as Father Jud Duplenticy, a former boxer-turned-priest who becomes Blanc's unlikely partner in the investigation. Variety's review declared it "may be the sharpest yet" in the series, praising Johnson's ability to balance intrigue with themes of confession and spiritual exploration.hollywoodreporter+1

The BBC described it as the "funniest and most playful" Knives Out mystery yet, despite its darker gothic influence. Rolling Stone noted how Johnson "skillfully balances the ensemble" while maintaining the series' signature clever plotting. Multiple reviews highlighted the chemistry between Craig and O'Connor, with their philosophical discussions about faith and rationality adding thematic depth to the murder mystery framework.bbc+1

Audience Reception and Cast Enthusiasm

The TIFF premiere resembled more of a revival meeting than a traditional movie screening, with Johnson dramatically asking the packed Princess of Wales Theatre audience "Can I get an Amen?" before the film began. The audience responded with sustained applause throughout the two-hour runtime, with multiple reports of gasps at the film's surprising revelations.hollywoodreporter+2

What made the premiere particularly special was that most of the star-studded cast, including Craig, O'Connor, Close, Washington, Brolin, Kunis, Renner, and Scott, were seeing the completed film for the first time alongside the festival audience. Kerry Washington noted during the post-screening Q&A that watching O'Connor and Close's performances was particularly moving, saying "You sit there and watch each breathe life into these incredibly written characters".aol+1

Netflix Release Strategy

Following Netflix's successful $400 million acquisition of the "Knives Out" sequels after the first film's theatrical success, "Wake Up Dead Man" will receive a limited theatrical release on November 26 before streaming globally on December 12. This mirrors the hybrid release strategy used for "Glass Onion," which played in 696 theaters including major chains before its Netflix debut.people+2

When asked about potential future installments, Craig told People exclusively that director Johnson "hasn't written anything" beyond this third film, but added that if Johnson "writes another script and it's as good as I think it probably will be, then it's an easy decision". Johnson has previously stated his willingness to continue the series "as long as Daniel and I are having a good time".people