Written And Directed by Rian Johnson
Fr. Jud Duplenticy (to the flock): "Here's what's gonna happen: Benoit freakin' Blanc and I are gonna ask you all some questions, and you all are gonna answer them and we're gonna get to the bottom of who killed Monsignor Wicks and why and then... that's it!"
I was hoping to catch up with this over the Christmas and while it's definitely not a festive themed movie, it did make for a delightful viewing experience. I've really grown to love the world of Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) that Rian Johnson created.
However in this third entry, the focus really did pivot towards former boxer turned priest, Father Jud Duplenticy (Josh O'Connor). I'd argue this was more his movie than it was Benoit's, who almost felt like a supporting player this time around.
I'm not even complaining because not only do I highly rated Josh O'Connor as an actor but Jud might be one of the most compelling movie characters this year. He's a beautifully complex character to watch and went through the absolute ringer in his new parish.
Being transferred by his own ally, Langstrom (Jeffrey Wright), Jud ended up assisting Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin) in Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude. Wicks was established as a rather awful Monsignor who weaponised fear and anger in order to retain his dwindling flock and didn't particularly care for Jud's attempts to change things for the better. It's also of no surprise that Wicks would be the victim here, albeit an unsympathetic one.
Now, let's look at the dwindling flock in question. There was the ridiculously devout Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close) who was Wicks's right hand woman as well as the lover of groundskeeper Sam Holt (Thomas Haden Church). Martha also had history with Wicks's mother Grace (Annie Hamilton) and grandfather, Prentice (James Faulkner). This would be even more relevant as the movie progressed.
Keeping with the flock there was a burned out lawyer named Vera Draven (Kerry Washington) who played "mother" to spoiled political wannabe influencer, Cy (Daryl McCormack). The latter would get worse along the way but let's also throw in a creatively spent writer named Lee Ross (Andrew Scott), the alcoholic Dr Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner) and former cellist, Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny) in the mix.
With that lot, you've got a good list of suspects, even more so when it was revealed that Wicks intended to ruin his congregation before looking for a diamond that would've given him the fresh start he wanted. Of course, everyone assumed that Jud did the deed, including Jud himself and especially the semi competent police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis).
With the first half of the movie setting up Jud beautifully as a character, the second half was a dream team up of both him and Benoit Blanc. To say that Josh O'Connor and Daniel Craig played off each wonderfully would be an understatement. They're absolutely magnetic together. I need Jud to come back for the inevitable fourth movie.
As for the killers themselves, the reveal made perfect and it worked thematically with what the movie was attempting to convey. There was moments where it felt like Benoit might have been out of his depth until he wasn't and as for Jud, it was nice to see the man get his faith back by the end of this one.
- I have to give a massive shout-out to Bridget Everett as Louise. She gave a very heartfelt performance during one particular moment.
- Jud killed a man in the boxing ring because he had hate in his heart. One of Wicks killers had a similar motive.
- I know his time in the world of Star Wars was divisive but I did like Rian Johnson referencing the franchise as well.
- The movie was shot out of order with Josh Brolin shooting his scenes last.
- Standout music: Warren Zevon's Wanted Dead Or Alive and Tom Waits Come On Up To The House.
- Chronology: Took place in a dwindling parish in Upstate New York. The last scene also took place a year later. Good Friday was when Wicks was killed.
I really enjoy the heck out of Wake Up Dead Man. In fact, this has now become my favourite movie in the Knives Out franchise. A good take on the matters of faith and one of the best double acts this year with Daniel Craig and Josh O'Connor. How could I not love this one?
Rating: 9 out of 10
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