Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is a 2025 American mystery film directed and written by Rian Johnson. This film serves as a standalone sequel to Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) and the third installment overall in the Knives Out film series. The film stars Daniel Craig, reprising his role as the master detective Benoit Blanc.
The ensemble cast also includes Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 6, 2025 and is set to release in theaters on November 26, 2025, followed by a Netflix release on December 12, 2025.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery |
| Genre | Mystery, Thriller, Crime |
| Director/Writer | Rian Johnson |
| Starring | Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, and others |
| Runtime | 140 minutes |
| Age Rating | TV-MA (Mature Audiences) |
| Release Date | November 26, 2025 (Theatrical), December 12, 2025 (Netflix) |
| Distributor/Streaming Platform | Netflix (streaming) |
| Languages | English |
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Age Rating
The film is likely rated TV-MA due to its mature content, including strong language, violence, and graphic imagery. This rating indicates that the content is inappropriate for viewers under 17. The film features bloody scenes, violent crime sequences, and strong language, making it best suited for mature audiences.
Why this rating?
- Violence & Gore: The movie includes violent crimes, bloody confrontations, and graphic content depicting the aftermath of murders and intense action sequences.
- Language: Expect strong language used throughout, including words like “sh!t”, “hell”, and other offensive terms that are common in mature crime thrillers.
- Mature Themes: The film deals with dark crime themes, including betrayal, corruption, and murder, which add to the psychological tension and make it unsuitable for younger viewers.
Is Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Suitable for Kids?
No. The TV-MA rating signals that the film is not suitable for children under 17. It includes mature language, graphic violence, and disturbing crime-related themes that are inappropriate for younger audiences. Teens (16-17) may be able to handle it, but parental guidance is strongly advised. The film’s intensity and dark themes make it more appropriate for adults and mature teens.
Age-by-Suitability Table
| Age Group | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Ages 3–7 | No / Not suitable for young children. |
| Ages 8–12 | No / Not recommended for this age group. |
| Teens (13–15) | Not recommended / Viewer discretion advised. |
| Teens (16–17) | Yes, with guidance / Older teens may watch with guidance. |
| Adults | Yes / Suitable for mature audiences. |
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Parents Guide
This mystery thriller is filled with intense crime drama, violent confrontations, and adult language. Below is a breakdown for parents:
- Sex & Nudity: None. There is no explicit sexual content or nudity in the film. The focus is more on crime and psychological drama than romance or physical intimacy.
- Violence & Gore: Strong violence is present throughout the film. Expect bloody murder scenes, violent confrontations, and graphic depictions of the aftermath of violent crimes. One particularly graphic scene includes a gunshot followed by the disturbing aftermath. Tension and terror are constant throughout the film, building up the psychological intensity.
- Profanity: Strong language is used consistently. Words like “sh!t”, “hell”, and other profanity appear during heated moments, arguments, and intense confrontations. The language contributes to the mature, tense atmosphere.
- Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking: None. There is no central focus on drugs or smoking. Alcohol consumption may be implied in certain scenes, especially during social gatherings or moments of tension, but it is not a major theme of the movie.
- Frightening & Intense Scenes: Highly intense. The film features psychological tension, crime-solving, and intense action sequences. The presence of bloody violence, murder, and criminal activity makes the movie emotionally intense, with multiple jump scares and tense confrontations throughout.
Tips for Parents
- Preview the movie: If you’re unsure about whether the content is appropriate for your teen, consider watching the first 15 minutes to assess the level of violence and language.
- Discuss dark themes: This film deals with themes like betrayal, crime, and murder, so it may be helpful to discuss these topics with your older teen before watching.
- Talk about violence in media: Given the graphic violence and violent crime depicted in the film, it’s important to talk about the difference between fictional violence and real-world consequences.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Official Teaser
Watch the official teaser here:-
FAQs
Q1. What is the age rating for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery?
A: TV-MA for strong language, violent crime sequences, and mature themes.
Q2. Is Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery appropriate for teens?
A: Not suitable for teens under 16 due to graphic violence, strong language, and mature themes. Teens 16-17 may watch with parental guidance.
Q3. How violent is Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery?
A: The movie includes strong violence, including bloody murder scenes and graphic crime depictions.
Q4. Does the movie include strong language?
A: Yes, the film contains frequent strong language, including terms like “shit” and “hell”.
Q5. Is there sexual content in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery?
A: No, there is no explicit sexual content in the film. The focus is on crime and mystery.
Q6. Where can I watch Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery?
A: The film will be released in theatres on November 26, 2025 and streaming on Netflix on December 12, 2025.