New Knives Out film to open London Film Festival

The latest installment in the Knives Out series starring Daniel Craig is set to premiere in London.

New Knives Out Film Will Open London Film Festival

The upcoming film Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will debut at the 2025 London Film Festival, featuring Daniel Craig as private detective Benoit Blanc. Directed by Rian Johnson, this film includes a fresh cast with stars like Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, and Mila Kunis. While plot details remain under wraps, it is suggested that O’Connor and Brolin may portray priests. The film's title references a song by U2, continuing the series' practice of musical nods. Craig reportedly earned around $100 million for his roles in this and the previous film, while Netflix paid a hefty $450 million for the rights to both movies. The film's development faced delays due to the writers' strike. It will have its international premiere in London, following a likely world premiere in North America at the Toronto Film Festival.

The return of Knives Out signals a significant player in the film industry, especially as it combines big names with a beloved genre. Craig's high earnings reflect the growing commercial stakes in streaming services like Netflix, which are willing to invest heavily to attract audiences. However, the film's success will depend on how well it differentiates itself from its predecessors and meets audience expectations for freshness in storytelling.

Highlights

As the film approaches its premiere, all eyes will remain on its narrative direction and cast chemistry.