Complex or Confusing? How the unsolvable crime was solved in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Director Rian Johnson creates a complex mystery in the third installment of the  series. The movie follows Father Jud  and Benoit Blanc as they solve the murder of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks. 

While serving under Monsignor Wicks as assistant pastor at Our Mother of Perpetual Fortitude, Father Jud learns of the mysterious missing fortune of the church. Then , they try to figure out the amazingly entertaining mystery behind the murder of Monsignor Wicks and the mystery of the missing fortune are one in the same. 

 The differing interpretations of religion is one of the main topics Johnson drives home to viewers.. Father Jud frequently has an opposing view to other church figures throughout the movie, where instead of fighting the world the church should heal it with compassion. 

This compassion is clearly displayed through Father Jud’s actor Josh O’Conner. Throughout the movie O’Conner’s acts feel genuine, like his empathy for the construction lady’s sick mother. Every single character has traits like Father Jud’s  that make them feel unique and real, like Monsignor Wick’s aggression when he holds mass. The actors are able to portray those traits naturally. This is shown the most by Daniel Craig, the actor for Benoit Blanc, and most famously known as James Bond. 

However, the actors aren’t the only thing that makes the movie feel natural. Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude makes the movie feel natural. The church fits the story and looks beautiful. The beauty of Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude in the road to damascus scene alone makes the cinematography in the movie the best I’ve seen in years.

Overall, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is a beautifully complex movie that is abundant with philosophical questions of great importance. It is an entertaining movie for any audience, but still lets you truly think. It truly makes me view my life from a different perspective.