If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is secretly a Star Wars riff, says creator Rian Johnson (No, really)

There's a lot more in common between the third Knives Out film and the second movie in the Star Wars sequel series, says director Rian Johnson. And it's got everything to do with belief

Haven't seen the new Knives Out movie yet? Well, know that I am judging you just a little bit, but I'm also somewhat jealous of your not having seen the movie yet. Why? Because now, you can go into watching Wake Up Dead Man (on Netflix now) with a little bit of insight from creator and director Rian Johnson. That is, insight on which scene most closely overlaps with his Star Wars film.

Yeah, we're being serious. In a recent interview with Polygon, Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson said that fans of his film should bear in mind one of the most controversial scenes from his entry into that Galaxy Far, Far Away as they watch Benoit Blanc's latest cinematic exploit. Particularly, it's the scene in which the older Luke Skywalker and Force Ghost of Yoda watch the Jedi Order's ancient texts burning, and the Jedi Master reminds his once-pupil to focus on "the need in front of your nose."

Without spoiling anything, there's a moment in the third Knives Out film in which Josh O'Connell's priestly character Father Jud (who is Blanc's Dr. Watson for this story) has a similar realization, and Johnson says the overlap is not at all coincidental. 

"There is overlap between those two scenes," Johnson says, "Both are very much about, Get out of your theories, get out of your theology, get out of your head and look at the need right in front of your eyes. Get back to human empathy. Who is hurting right in front of you? Who needs your help? Ultimately, that's what Christ did, that's what Christ taught."

Johnson, who grew up Christian, says both this film and his experience behind the Star Wars lens were explorations of his faith.

"I grew up very Christian," said Johnson, "So when I was a kid, I was parsing Star Wars through my faith and through my Christianity. It's all tied up in that. Very naturally, if I'm telling that story, it's going to be filtered through the values I grew up with."

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is streaming on Netflix now. Star Wars: The Last Jedi is on Disney+.


Get to know, understand, and love the Star Wars franchise more with our Star Wars watch order, guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies & TV shows, and all the Star Wars movies and Star Wars TV shows ranked.

Grant DeArmitt

Grant DeArmitt: Grant DeArmitt (he/him) likes horror, comics, and the unholy union of the two. In the past, and despite their better judgment, he has written for Nightmare on Film Street and Newsarama. He lives in Brooklyn with his partner, Kingsley, and corgi, Legs.

Comments

Want to join the discussion? Please activate your account first.
Visit Reedpop ID if you need to resend the confirmation email.

View Comments (0)

Find out how we conduct our review by reading our review policy