Ranking Every Knives Out Film by Their Climactic Twists

With three instalments now out, Rian Johnson’s whodunit series has become a modern classic for fans of clever mysteries. Each chapter, led by Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc, is a self-contained yarn, packed with a fresh cast, new setting, and a final act that’s always a talking point. The films take their cues from the likes of Agatha Christie, but with a distinctly modern edge and a bit of dry wit thrown in for good measure.

Let’s take a look at how each film’s final stretch stacks up, from the most recent entry to the one that started it all. We’ll weigh up the twists, the emotional punch, and just how satisfying those last reveals really are.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025)

The latest addition, Wake Up Dead Man, shakes things up with a darker tone and a slow build before Benoit Blanc even steps onto the scene. When he does, it’s a bit of a relief, breaking the tension with his trademark calm and a touch of humour. This time, the story centres on Father Jud Duplenticy, a priest with a troubled past, and his frosty superior, Monsignor Jefferson Wicks. After a heated run-in, Wicks turns up dead, and suspicion falls squarely on Jud.

As the investigation digs deeper, secrets from Wicks’s past and the church’s inner workings bubble to the surface. It turns out nearly everyone’s got something to hide. The real mastermind, though, is Jefferson’s long-serving assistant, Martha Delacroix. She’s driven to desperate measures after Jud pushes her to reveal the truth about a legendary jewel, Eve’s Apple. Fearing for the church’s future, Martha invents a saintly legend, kills Wicks, and hides the treasure, all with a bit of help from Dr. Nat Sharp.

What’s different here is that Blanc doesn’t get to unmask the culprit himself. Instead, the guilty parties come clean, which takes away some of the usual satisfaction. The film also takes a good look at the role of religion and power, giving the ending a heavier, more complex feel. It’s a thoughtful finale, but not quite as punchy as the earlier films.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

Next up is Glass Onion, which, while not everyone’s favourite, delivers a cracking final act. Johnson flips the script halfway through, making punters rethink everything they thought they knew. Blanc is invited to a tech billionaire’s private island, where a group of wealthy mates gather for a weekend that quickly goes off the rails.

Janelle Monáe’s character, Helen/Andi, is at the centre of the drama, hiding secrets and drawing the ire of Edward Norton’s Miles Bron. When Helen is shot at the party, a conveniently placed journal saves her life. Blanc helps her fake her death, then gathers the group to lay out the truth. Miles is exposed as the one behind Andi’s murder, desperate to keep his dodgy business dealings under wraps. Dave Bautista’s Duke also meets a grim end, all part of Miles’s plan to keep things quiet.

The dual role played by Monáe and Blanc’s sharp explanation make the reveal memorable. The film’s commentary on internet culture and the self-obsessed elite gives it a modern edge, though the lack of likeable suspects means the stakes don’t feel quite as high. Still, it’s a clever, satisfying wrap-up.

Knives Out (2019)

The original film remains the gold standard for the series. It’s sharp, funny, and endlessly rewatchable, with a final act that ties everything together beautifully. Blanc is called in to look into the apparent suicide of crime writer Harlan Thrombey, but the real heart of the story is Harlan’s nurse, Marta Cabrera. After a medication mix-up, Marta believes she’s responsible for Harlan’s death, setting off a tense game of cat and mouse.

Through a series of flashbacks and reveals, Blanc pieces together the truth. Each family member has their secrets, but it’s Harlan’s grandson, Ransom, who’s behind the whole plot. He tries to frame Marta after being cut out of the will, but Blanc’s logic and the film’s tight plotting make for a deeply satisfying conclusion. The first film set the template for the franchise, focusing not just on the ‘who’ but the ‘how’ and ‘why’, and it’s still the one to beat.

Which of these endings do you reckon is the sharpest?