Wake Up Dead Man: Why Rian Johnson Needs to Return to Original Films Beyond the Knives Out Franchise

The upcoming release of Wake Up Dead Man, the third entry in Rian Johnson’s acclaimed Knives Out mystery series, arrives in theaters on November 27th before streaming on Netflix on December 12th. With Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc returning alongside a glittering ensemble cast including Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, and Jeremy Renner, the film promises to be another clever whodunnit.

But as Johnson delivers another star-studded mystery, critics and fans alike are asking: is one of Hollywood’s most inventive filmmakers limiting his creative reach by staying within the safe boundaries of a Netflix-funded franchise?

Rian Johnson’s Legacy of Originality

Before he became a household name, Johnson carved out a reputation as a visionary genre filmmaker. His neo-noir Brick (2005), conman caper The Brothers Bloom (2008), and time-travel thriller Looper (2012) all demonstrated his gift for complex concepts made accessible through gripping storytelling. His work on the Breaking Bad episode Ozymandias further cemented his ability to craft emotionally charged, high-stakes drama.

Despite controversy surrounding Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Johnson bounced back in 2019 with Knives Out, a surprise blockbuster grossing $312 million worldwide. Its success birthed a Netflix deal worth $450 million for two sequels, beginning with Glass Onion (2022).

The Strengths and Limits of the Knives Out Universe

The Knives Out films are witty homages to classic Agatha Christie-style mysteries, blending lavish production design with sharp social commentary. Johnson has used the series to reflect modern issues, from Internet trolling (Knives Out) to influencer culture (Glass Onion).

Yet, while the films are crowd-pleasing and culturally relevant, they are still derivative by design, heavily leaning on genre tropes rather than breaking new ground. As Johnson continues under Netflix’s distribution model—which prioritizes streaming over wide theatrical runs—his projects risk losing the cultural momentum that made the original Knives Out such a phenomenon.

Why Johnson Should Revisit Original Projects

Johnson’s true brilliance shines when he pushes cinematic boundaries with wholly original stories like Looper. By contrast, his current Netflix arrangement encourages reliability over risk. In an era dominated by franchises, his position is rare: he has the cachet and power to greenlight original, mid-budget projects—the type Hollywood often neglects.

Other filmmakers like Ryan Coogler have balanced franchise success (Black Panther) with original passion projects (Sinners), proving that directors can leverage blockbuster clout to innovate. Johnson, with his track record and devoted following, is uniquely positioned to do the same.

The Future of Rian Johnson

There’s no denying that audiences will eagerly embrace Wake Up Dead Man. But as Johnson continues to craft witty, star-packed mysteries, cinephiles hope he won’t abandon the bold originality that made him one of the most exciting filmmakers of his generation. His ability to reinvent genres and challenge storytelling conventions is too valuable to be confined to one franchise—even a beloved one.