Watch: Knives Out 3 Teaser Trailer: Daniel Craig Tackles the Impossible Crime

Audiences have now been given a preview of the highly anticipated third installment of the Knives Out series, with Daniel Craig confirmed to return as detective Benoit Blanc. The upcoming film, once again helmed by writer-director Rian Johnson, continues the franchise’s tradition of centering around intricate mystery narratives and ensemble casts.

In this new chapter, Craig reprises his role as the southern-accented sleuth who takes on another seemingly unsolvable case. While plot specifics remain confidential, early visuals reveal the detective in a refined three-piece suit with longer hair, suggesting a fresh stylistic direction. The film, titled Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, is slated for global release on December 12, 2025.

New Cast Members and Franchise Continuity

Wake Up Dead Man serves as a standalone follow-up to Glass Onion, the 2022 sequel to the original Knives Out. Rian Johnson remains at the creative helm, continuing his collaboration with Daniel Craig. The film introduces a new lineup of characters played by a wide array of actors, including Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church. As with previous entries, the story promises a self-contained murder mystery that allows each film to explore new themes and settings.

The Knives Out franchise has become known for its modern twist on the classic whodunit genre, combining dark humor, social commentary, and plot intricacies. Although each film features a fresh mystery and new characters, Benoit Blanc remains the central figure linking the narratives across the series.

Origins and Critical Success of the Series

The original Knives Out premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2019 and received widespread acclaim for its clever writing and dynamic performances. Distributed by Lionsgate in the United States later that year, the film became both a commercial and critical success. Its cast included Christopher Plummer, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ana de Armas, and Katherine Langford, among others.

Following its release, the film earned multiple nominations, including nods from the Golden Globe Awards, BAFTA, and the Academy Awards. Its success prompted Netflix to secure the rights for two sequels, beginning with Glass Onion in 2022, which further solidified the franchise’s popularity.