Rian Johnson opens up about struggles writing Wake Up Dead Man

Rian Johnson reveals that Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery was his toughest and most personal script yet

Rian Johnson has revealed that writing Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery was the toughest creative challenge of his career.

The filmmaker, who has written and directed all three Knives Out films, told Empire Magazine that the upcoming sequel pushed him further than ever, both narratively and emotionally.

“This was definitely the hardest script I’ve ever written,” Johnson admitted. The film follows Daniel Craig’s iconic detective, Benoit Blanc, as he investigates a mysterious murder inside a church. The story introduces new characters played by Josh Brolin as Monsignor Wicks and Josh O’Connor as Father Jud — two clashing figures whose faith and ideals ignite the core conflict.

Johnson explained that the movie explores deeper spiritual themes than previous entries. “I grew up very Christian,” he shared. “I’m not anymore, but I have a lot of complicated feelings about that time. I wanted to explore those ideas honestly — not to be moralistic or irreverent.”

According to Daniel Craig, Johnson spent nearly eight months developing the screenplay before putting pen to paper. “Once he starts, he’s like a dog with a bone — he works it until he gets it right,” Craig said, adding that he read the script twice in one sitting.

Wake Up Dead Man will premiere in theaters on November 26 before streaming globally on Netflix from December 12. With its layered themes of belief and morality, Johnson promises a mystery as thought-provoking as it is thrilling.