Johnson: “Knives Out” Goes Gothic
Benoit Blanc goes Gothic: Rian Johnson Teases Darker Tone for “Wake Up Dead Man”
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Daniel Craig’s beloved detective, Benoit Blanc, is set to return to our screens this year in “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.” This third installment in the critically acclaimed murder mystery series promises a meaningful tonal shift, moving away from the campy, lighter direction of “Glass Onion” and embracing a more gothic, grounded atmosphere.
A Return to Gothic Roots
Director Rian Johnson, who has consistently cited Agatha Christie as a primary inspiration for the series, revealed in a recent interview with Rolling Stone that “Wake Up Dead Man” delves into the darker, more atmospheric corners of the genre. While the first film, “Knives Out,” was a classic family-centric manor mystery, and ”Glass Onion” leaned into a travelogue style, the upcoming film is described as being more akin to Christie’s most chilling tales.
Johnson elaborated on this shift, stating, “It’s incredibly different from Glass Onion. We put out a teaser trailer a month ago. It’s much more a Gothic, much more grounded tone.It’s more similar to the first one in that way. It kind of gets back to the real origins of the genre, wich, predating [Agatha] Christie, go back to [Edgar Allan] Poe.”
This move towards a gothic horror tone suggests a departure from the playful, almost satirical elements of “Glass Onion,” aiming for a more immersive and suspenseful experience that harks back to the foundational elements of mystery storytelling.
Johnson’s Drive for Freshness
The director also emphasized his personal commitment to keeping the series exciting and avoiding repetition. “After three years of working on something that has a particular tone, it’s like you’ve been eating the same thing for lunch every day for three years,” Johnson explained. “I’m more excited about doing something that feels new… It’s not so much a conscious decision. In order to keep it exciting for myself, I don’t want to repeat myself.” This dedication to creative evolution is a hallmark of Johnson’s directorial approach, ensuring each Benoit Blanc mystery offers a unique flavor.
The Future of Benoit Blanc
While “Wake Up Dead Man” is positioned as a potential conclusion to the series for now, Rian Johnson remains open to the possibility of further adventures for Detective Blanc. “I don’t have something in my head right now… but I woudl keep doing them as long as I can,” he commented. This sentiment will undoubtedly be music to the ears of fans eager to see more of Craig’s enigmatic detective unraveling complex cases.
The star-studded cast for “Wake Up Dead Man” includes Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church. The film is slated for release on Netflix in December.