Rian Johnson does it again with his continuation of the Knives Out trilogy, proving to critics worldwide that he still has fresh new thrills and mysteries to uncover. Using the same successful formula in “Knives Out: Glass Onion” and “Knives Out: A Knives Out Mystery,” critics have given the new film a 93% on the Rotten Tomato scale. 

Knives Out 2019 uses themes of cleverness and comedic energy with the classic plot twist. However, “Wake Up Dead Man” emphasizes a more in depth tone, questioning the morality of Catholicism, while also exploring the pros of such faith. This clash of Catholicism is present throughout the murder mystery.

This did not resonate with some fans, however. 

“I felt like I had to pay too much attention,” Nathan Amador, a senior at Mark Keppel, said. “It was not as funny as the first one.”

This shift in atmosphere is one of the first things that viewers might notice. Many fans online noted that they appreciate how the third film sacrificed its original playful atmosphere, with the mystery being more grounded and serious.

Symbolism also becomes one of the main appealing factors of this movie. The interior setting, which is a Gothic Catholic Church, shows an absence of a cross, with only dust capturing its shape. This missing cross may symbolize Monsignor Wick’s unorthodox way of preaching, with his fear-mongering method driving out all newcomers, with only his most loyal followers staying. This directly conflicts with the protagonist Father Jud, as he strives for a more forgiving faith.

While “Wake Up Dead Man” uses religious symbolism to explore morality and belief, the second movie, “Glass Onion,” helped prepare the audience for a different direction. It moved away from family-driven mystery and leaned into exaggerated satire, focusing on wealthy elites, fake intelligence, and social influence. The film used humor to expose the moral emptiness behind all the power, making Beniot Blanc feel more like an observer of morality than just a detective. “Wake Up Dead Man” builds on this idea by moving away from satire and instead exploring deeper questions about faith, guilt, and responsibility.

“Glass Onion felt different, but it helped set up the darker tone of the third movie,” Ethan Huang, a senior at Mark Keppel High School, said.

“Wake Up Dead Man” is a fantastic film that builds on the previous two movies. This film offers intense symbolism, a darker mystery, all while also maintaining the humorous nature of Benoit Blanc.