The third installment in the beloved Netflix franchise, "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery," is generating significant buzz, with writer-director Rian Johnson at the helm. Collider's Perri Nemiroff recently sat down with Johnson and one of the film's lead stars, Josh O'Connor, to delve into the creative process behind the whodunit. Daniel Craig returns as the astute Southern gentleman detective, Benoit Blanc, who is summoned by local police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis) to investigate an "impossible murder" rocking an upstate New York hamlet. The brutal slaying of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin) points all signs to a young priest, Jud Duplenticy (Josh O'Connor), who vehemently maintains his innocence. True to the "Knives Out" style, the film boasts a star-studded ensemble cast, including Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, and Cailee Spaeny, all serving as potential suspects on Blanc's list.

Despite the success of the previous two "Knives Out" films, Johnson revealed that "Wake Up Dead Man" presented his toughest writing challenge to date. "This was the hardest thing I've ever written," the filmmaker confessed. He attributed this difficulty not only to the mystery's intricate nature but also to the deeply personal themes of faith explored within the script. Johnson, who identifies as formerly Christian, wanted to approach the subject with a "generous spirit," aiming for authenticity rather than merely avoiding offense, which made the writing a long and arduous journey he is ultimately proud of.

Johnson pinpointed a specific scene as the "break-story moment" and the "heart of the movie": a phone call involving Josh O'Connor's character, Jud, and Bridget Everett's Louise. He praised the scene as "brilliantly written and performed." Johnson elaborated that this moment serves as Jud's "road to Damascus moment," where the priest re-evaluates his purpose, realizing that his vocational calling is antithetical to the "gamified" pursuit of justice that Detective Blanc represents. This intentional misalignment with the genre's expectations resets Jud's moral compass, bringing a profound depth to his character arc and the film's thematic core.

Josh O'Connor, reflecting on his role, shared that Jud's complicated nature resonated with him early on, a testament to Johnson's insightful writing. O'Connor felt prepared to engage with the film's themes of faith, God, and religion, finding a personal connection with his character's thoughts and feelings. He also highlighted how Johnson's direction contributed to an "otherworldly and spiritual" atmosphere on set. Regarding the phone call scene with Bridget Everett, O'Connor found it emotionally straightforward to perform, crediting Johnson's guidance and Everett's brilliant contribution to ripping out the character's heart, thus simplifying the portrayal of Jud's shifting intentions.

A notable aspect discussed by both Johnson and O'Connor was the innovative cinematography, particularly in a church scene featuring Daniel Craig. Johnson collaborated with his Director of Photography, Steve Yedlin, to design dramatic, theatrical lighting changes that mimicked natural shifts, such as the sun moving behind a cloud, altering the emotional tenor of the scene. Yedlin pre-rigged the set, allowing them to adjust lighting dynamically "like playing music." O'Connor described these shifts as extraordinary, profoundly impacting his performance by creating an "otherworldly and spiritual" ambiance within the set's stained-glass windows, thereby cinematically conveying the contrasting facets of Father Jud and Monsignor Wicks.

Glenn Close, who joins the acclaimed cast as Martha Delacroix, the devout companion of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, discussed her role. In an interview with Perri Nemiroff, Close spoke about an emotional scene she shared with O'Connor and how she tapped into Martha's character through costume design. Beyond "Wake Up Dead Man," Close also teased her upcoming looks for "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," where she portrays the dreadful District 12 mentor, Drusilla Sickle. Crafted by costume designer Bina Daigeler, Close promised that these new designs would join the "pantheon of characters" she has played, including Cruella de Vil, hopefully appearing in "gay Halloween parades."

"Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" is currently available to stream on Netflix, inviting audiences to unravel its intricate mystery and explore its profound themes.