Knives Out 3: Every Actor’s Performance Ranked

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the latest entry in Rian Johnson’s whodunnit series, sees Daniel Craig back as Benoit Blanc, joined by a star-studded line-up including Josh Brolin, Andrew Scott, Jeremy Renner, Cailee Spaeny, and more. This time, the cast is bigger than ever, and the performances are as varied as the suspects. Here’s how each actor fares, based on their screen presence and impact.

Background Players and Missed Opportunities

Thomas Haden Church, as Samson Holt, spends most of his time lurking in the background, shovel in hand, rarely stepping into the spotlight. He’s got three main scenes with dialogue, but his role is mostly to add a bit of folk horror flavour and serve as a classic red herring. His late-night run-in with Blanc is a standout, but overall, he doesn’t get to join in the film’s more heated moments.

Kerry Washington’s Vera Draven, the tightly wound lawyer, barely gets a look-in. She has one big argument with her stepson, showing off her range, but many reckon she was underused. Early reviews called her casting a missed opportunity, and it’s hard to disagree.

Scene Stealers and Standouts

Mila Kunis brings some star power as Chief Geraldine Scott, the local cop. She’s got decent chemistry with Craig, especially in scenes where her scepticism shines through. Her “Scooby-Doo” quip is a highlight, but some punters felt her style clashed with the film’s gothic mood, making her feel a bit out of place.

Cailee Spaeny, playing Simone Vivane, doesn’t get much time on screen, but her character’s vulnerability stands out. Confined to a wheelchair, she adds a unique dynamic to the locked-room set-up, though she fades into the background as the story unfolds.

Andrew Scott, known for his wild turn as Moriarty, is more subdued here as a washed-up sci-fi writer. He delivers some of the film’s sharpest lines, poking fun at online outrage, but his character is sidelined in favour of others, leaving you wanting more.

Heavy Hitters and Top Performances

Jeremy Renner plays a quiet, broken doctor, keeping things low-key compared to his usual roles. His best moment is a silent exchange in the morgue, showing a different side to his acting. His character is intentionally underwritten, so he doesn’t get as many big moments as some of the others.

Josh Brolin, as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, is the victim at the centre of the mystery. He’s mostly seen in flashbacks, but his sermons are intense and unsettling, making him a memorable presence even with limited screen time. Some viewers wished he’d had more interaction with the rest of the cast.

Glenn Close, as Martha Delacroix, starts off slow but ramps up in the second half. Her frantic confession scene is both darkly funny and moving, and she’s one of the few who can hold her own opposite Craig. Her performance is a slow burn, but it pays off.

The Main Duo: Craig and O’Connor

Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc is a bit more restrained this time around. He doesn’t show up until the end of the first act, but once he’s in, he brings a new seriousness to the role. His dynamic with Josh O’Connor’s Jud Duplenticy, especially their chats about faith and logic, gives the film its emotional core.

Josh O’Connor, as Father Jud, gets the most screen time after Blanc and carries the first part of the film. Critics and fans alike have called his performance a career highlight. He moves seamlessly from panic to quiet reflection, making Jud the most relatable character in the series so far. His partnership with Craig is a real highlight, and he’s the clear standout in this instalment.

Key Facts: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is directed by Rian Johnson and stars Daniel Craig, Cailee Spaeny, and Andrew Scott. It’s out on Netflix from 26 November 2025, with an IMDb rating of 7.7/10 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 92%. The film is produced by T-Street Productions and has grossed $1.6 million worldwide.