10 films to watch if you liked Wake Up Dead Man
- Denise Breen
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Assuming you enjoyed Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) for its blend of whodunit mechanics, gothic atmosphere, and social satire, here are ten recommendations that capture similar vibes.
I have selected these based on the film's specific "religious/gothic" setting, Rian Johnson’s known influences, and the Knives Out franchise’s signature mix of comedy and mystery.
1. The Name of the Rose (1986)
Wake Up Dead Man leans heavily into a religious setting (Father Jud, the church politics), and this is the ultimate monastic murder mystery. starring Sean Connery as a William of Baskerville (a Sherlock-esque monk) investigating a series of grotesque deaths in a medieval abbey. It matches the darker, more "hallowed" tone of the third Knives Out film perfectly.
(Available to rent or buy on Google TV or Apple TV)
2. The Last of Sheila (1973)
Rian Johnson has repeatedly cited this film as a primary DNA source for the Knives Out franchise. It features a group of wealthy, beautiful people invited to a game-playing vacation that turns deadly. It is stylish, incredibly clever, and features the same kind of "eat the rich" social commentary.
(Hard to find on streaming. You may need to purchase a physical copy)
3. A Haunting in Venice (2023)
If you liked the spookier, slightly more "gothic horror" aesthetic of Wake Up Dead Man, this Hercule Poirot film is the best modern parallel. It trades the sunny travelogue of Death on the Nile for a rain-soaked, shadowy séance in a decaying palazzo. It balances skepticism with the supernatural in a way that Benoit Blanc fans will appreciate.
(Available to watch on Disney Plus)
4. Gosford Park (2001)
The Knives Out films are essentially about class warfare disguised as murder mysteries. Gosford Park is the masterclass of this sub-genre. Set in an English country house, it explores the tension between the "upstairs" nobility and the "downstairs" servants, all centered around a murder. It features an incredible ensemble cast (Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, Clive Owen) similar to Johnson’s star-studded lineups.
(Available to watch on Prime Video)
5. Clue (1985)
While Wake Up Dead Man has its serious beats, the franchise’s heart is campy fun. Clue is the gold standard for ensemble mystery-comedies, featuring rapid-fire dialogue, slapstick, and a chaotic "running around a big mansion" energy that feels very familiar to Benoit Blanc’s adventures.
(Available to rent or buy on Google TV or Apple TV)
6. Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
This is a modern, stylish ensemble thriller that shares Rian Johnson’s love for twisting narratives and distinct, eccentric characters. Seven strangers, each with a secret, meet at a rundown hotel. The way the perspective shifts between characters to reveal new pieces of the puzzle is very similar to how Johnson structures his mysteries.
(Available to watch on Disney Plus)
7. Sleuth (1972)
Rian Johnson loves the "game" aspect of mysteries—the theatricality of two smart people trying to outwit each other. Sleuth (Laurence Olivier vs. Michael Caine) is essentially a two-person play full of props, costumes, and rug-pulling twists. It captures the intellectual duel often found between Blanc and the killer.
(Available to rent or buy on Google TV or Apple TV)
8. See How They Run (2022)
A more recent film makes our list, a self-aware "meta" whodunit set in 1950s London. If you enjoy Benoit Blanc’s deconstruction of mystery tropes, you will enjoy Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan playing detectives who seem to know they are in a murder mystery. It is light, witty, and visually very Wes Anderson-esque.
(Available to watch on Disney Plus)
9. Ready or Not (2019)
If you enjoy the "outsider vs. a wealthy, crazy family" dynamic of the Knives Out series, this is a perfect (albeit bloodier) companion. A bride is forced to play a deadly game of hide-and-seek with her new in-laws. It nails the satirical "rich people are different (and bad)" tone.
(Available to watch on Disney Plus)
10. Deathtrap (1982)
Based on the famous play, this film (our second one on this list starring Michael Caine also features Christopher Reeve) is a "thriller about writing a thriller." It is full of meta-commentary on the genre, devilishly clever twists, and the kind of "locked room" tension that defines the best mysteries.
(Available to rent or buy on Google TV or Apple TV)
Great list Denise!