Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Knives Out and Glass Onion.
Summary
Knives Out 3isn’t coming out on Netflix until 2025, butI think I’ve already figured out whoWake Up Dead Man’s killer is. Rian Johnson’sKnives Outmovies introduce compelling mysteries, and both whodunit stories solve them with entertaining twists.Knives Out’s endingis clever and comical as it reveals what really happened to Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer), and I’m still cackling over Benoit Blanc’s (Daniel Craig) big revelation inGlass Onion.IfKnives Out 3: Wake Up Dead Manfollows in its predecessors' footsteps, it will feature an ending every bit as spirited.
GivenKnives Out 3’simpressive cast, which includes the likes of Jeremy Renner and Mila Kunis, it’s already utilizing the previous movies' formula. All of Johnson’s whodunits star well-known celebrities, andWake Up Dead Manwill be no different. Looking at the stars already announced, I have a guess about who will be the killer. I won’t know if I’m correct untilKnives Out 3finally hits Netflix, butthis actor seems like the best choice for the sequel’s villain.
Knives Out 3 Wishlist: 6 Things We Want To See In The Sequel
While Daniel Craig’s Detective Blanc is due to return for yet another murder mystery, Knives Out 3 has the perfect opportunity to switch things up.
The Sherlock Star Plays A Great Villain
Among themany actors announced forKnives Out 3isSherlockalum Andrew Scott, andI think it’s probable that he’ll play the killer in the upcoming Netflix film. Scott has a knack for portraying villains, as evidenced by his role as the cunning and cold James Moriarty. Of course,Sherlockisn’t the only project to cast Scott as a compelling antagonist. The James Bond franchise sees him portraying the secondary villain, C, inSpectre.The actor brings both characters to life impressively. Moriarty, in particular, earns Scott a ton of praise.
I, for one, would love to see Scott walk the line between evil and comical inWake Up Dead Man.
And while Scott toldVarietythat he’s reluctant to return to villainy,there’s little doubt he’d kill it asKnives Out 3’s antagonist. AfterSherlock,a whodunit feels like the ideal place for him to return to this type of role. It also wouldn’t be a completely serious part, making it different from what he’s done before. I, for one, would love to see Scott walk the line between evil and comical inWake Up Dead Man.The sequel could even parody his previous work with this twist.
Edward Norton’s Glass Onion Casting Also Made The Killer Twist Predictable
Like Andrew Scott, He Has A Knack For Playing Antagonists
One of the reasons I thinkKnives Out 3might make Scott’s character its villain is because it took a similar approach inGlass Onion. Edward Norton’s billionaire, Miles Bron, turns out to be the killer in theKnives Outsequel. His casting also made the movie’s twist predictable. Like Scott,Norton is great at portraying antagonists. Movies likeAmerican History, Primal Fear,andThe Italian Joball showcase the actor’s skilled portrayal of villains. He’s an obvious choice forGlass Onion’s obnoxious and cruel billionaire.
One of the reasons I thinkKnives Out 3might make Scott’s character its villain is because it took a similar approach inGlass Onion.
Knowing thatKnives Outmovies have no problem leaning into their actors' talents, it wouldn’t be a shock ifWake Up Dead Manputs Scott in a Moriarty-esque role. Of course, it could surprise us and do the opposite. I never expected Chris Evans to be cast as the villain of the original movie, and that worked out great. But Johnson’s films have the luxury of being obvious with their casting if they want to. After all,I’d hardly call the killer’s identity the biggest reveal ofKnives OutorGlass Onion.
The Knives Out Movies’ Real Twist Is Never Just The Killer’s Identity
I hope I’m right about Scott being the villain ofKnives Out 3— and if I am, it won’t even ruin the sequel.Johnson’s twists are layered, and the biggest reveal typically doesn’t have anything to do with the killer’s identity. InKnives Out,the fact that Harlan is responsible for his own death is far more surprising than his grandson’s plan to take down Marta. AndGlass Onion’s revelation that “Andi” is actually Andi’s twin sister, Helen, is leagues more astonishing than Miles deceiving and killing the people at his murder mystery party.
In a way, the killer is the least interesting part of both movies. While Evans and Norton play their roles to perfection, it’s the thrill of watching Benoit Blanc peel back layers of the onion — discover the “smaller donut with its own hole,” if you will — that makes these films so great. As long asKnives Out 3continues that trend, it won’t matter if its killer is easy to guess. In fact, my hopes of seeing Scott play an antagonist again make me hope it’s the obvious answer.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Cast
World-renowned detective Benoit Blanc returns in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. The film will follow a new cast surrounding the detective as he attempts to solve another strange case.
