Understanding the Ending of Wake Up Dead Man: What Happened to Wicks?
‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’.
Credit:
John Wilson/Netflix
In a new chapter for fans of the acclaimed Knives Out series, Detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, returns to unravel one of his most perplexing cases yet. The latest installment, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, premiered on Netflix on December 12 and marks the third entry in director Rian Johnson’s franchise.
This time, Blanc finds himself operating from a small church in upstate New York, where he is called to investigate the suspicious murder of Msgr. Jefferson Wicks, portrayed by Josh Brolin. His investigation is supported by local police chief Geraldine Scott, played by Mila Kunis, and the reclusive Father Jud Duplenticy, portrayed by Josh O’Connor. Together, they must sift through a complex web of deception and dangerous secrets to identify the responsible party behind Wicks’ untimely demise.
The film escalates as it reveals how Wicks meets his end during a Good Friday service. After stepping away briefly, Wicks collapses onstage, apparently stabbed with a gruesome weapon crafted from a devil head ornament. Initial confusion reigns as Blanc and Jud work to piece together the crime. They discover crucial clues, including the order for mausoleum construction materials made just days before Wicks’ death, and a significant radio interference that coincides with the moment of his collapse.
As the investigation unfolds, Blanc’s suspicions point to Dr. Nat Sharp, a loyal parishioner played by Jeremy Renner. Sharp’s elaborate scheme involves sedating Wicks with tranquilizers, using a fake blood mechanism to create the illusion of a stabbing, and ultimately orchestrating the murder in collaboration with church manager Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close).
Martha’s motives stem from her discovery of Wicks’ illegitimate son, Cy Draven, and her belief that his increasingly corrupt behavior would harm the church’s reputation. To salvage its image, she devises the murder plan and believes a staged "resurrection" of Wicks would restore faith in their community.
The film takes a dark turn as it is revealed that the real corpse of Wicks is decomposing in Sharp’s basement, while a groundskeeper, Samson Holt, is buried alive in Wicks’ coffin, leading to shocking complications during the final act. In a calculated effort to retrieve a prized diamond belonging to Wicks, the scheme unravels spectacularly, resulting in betrayal, murder, and redemption.
As the story concludes, decisions made by Jud lead to the rebranding of the church following a year of reflection and change. Despite the loss of trust among many parishioners, Cy remains close in pursuit of where Wicks’ inheritance is hidden. In a final twist, it is suggested that the diamond rests concealed within a crucifix, reinforcing the narrative’s theme of faith versus greed.
With Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, audiences are treated to a thrilling exploration of morality and deception, capped with a clever resolution by Detective Blanc. As the intricacies of the plot unfold, the film promises to keep viewers engaged until the very last moment.
