Podcast appearances and mentions of Rian Johnson

LexG with some new movie reviews for late December, including Rian Johnson's Wake Up Dead Man with Daniel Craig, Timothee Chalamet in Marty Supreme, Jessie Buckley in the Oscar hopeful Hamnet, James L. Brooks' Ella McKay, and the Brazilian political drama The Secret Agent.

In honor of the tenth anniversary of The Force Awakens, Ryan and Dylan kick off the Star Wars specials with a look at the highly divisive, yet often wonderfully brilliant, conclusive trilogy to the Skywalker Saga.

Rian Johnson is back on Netflix with Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery and this starts off as a bit of a mystery in comparison to the prior iterations of this franchise. This star-studded cast includes Jeffrey Wright, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Thomas Haden Church, and of course Daniel Craig, to name a few. This mystery centers around a Catholic Church in a small town, where a young, but troubled, upstart priest gets sent there to pay recompense and mature as a man of the cloth. Mystery ensues and our favorite guy Benoit shows up to figure out the killer in this surprisingly introspective whodunnit. Please! Subscribe where we are, especially here on YouTube

In this episode, Professor Mouse and the Cosmologist discuss Rian Johnson's "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery." 

YOUNG, DUMB, AND FULL OF CHRISTMAS. Happy Holidays everyone! The best way to celebrate is a healthy dose of murder, and who best to help us solve it than our favorite Foghorn Leghorn soundalike! The Knives Out films have become modern classics, and with the new one finally out, it's time for Papa Rian to take us home. So, come celebrate the occasion with Brian, Alec, and Trey as they take a look at Benoit Blanc's most dangerous case yet -- Rian Johnson's WAKE UP DEAD MAN!

Ben Lindbergh, Craig Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus, and Joe Sheehan of The Joe Sheehan Baseball Newsletter break down teams’ last-minute Christmas shopping—including the White Sox signing Munetaka Murakami, the Padres signing Michael King and Sung Mun Song, the Orioles trading for Shane Baz, the Red Sox trading for Willson Contreras, a three-team trade involving the Pirates, Rays, and Astros, Jeff McNeil and Matt Strahm swaps, and the Yankees’ hibernation—plus banter about the quasi-retirement of Craig’s nemesis, Joe Kelly, the future of NPB, a report about Emmanuel Clase’s mid-game phone use, and supporting independent media. Then (1:11:40) they conduct an in-depth debate about the respective merits of human umpiring, the challenge system, and full ABS. Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Kelly’s podcast Link to Dubuque on the challenge system Link to Craig on the challenge system Link to Joe on the challenge system Link to previous podcast discussion Link to Seitz decision wiki Link to Joe on the Seitz decision Link to Baumann on Murakami Link to Rosenblum on Murakami Link to Longenhagen on Murakami Link to Craig on Murakami Link to Sarris on Murakami Link to Ben on Murakami in 2022 Link to Sato story Link to FG post on King Link to FG post on Song Link to FG post on Baz Link to Craig on Baz Link to team SP projections Link to Joe on three-team trade Link to FG post on three-team trade Link to FG post on Contreras Link to FG post on Strahm Link to Strahm’s beer stance Link to Bowlan info Link to FG post on McNeil Link to Lindor/McNeil drama Link to Clase report Link to Craig on the K-Zone Link to Tango on challenge tactics Link to Five and Dive Link to subscribe to BP Link to subscribe to Joe Link to MLBTR on O’Hearn Link to Posnanski MVP post Link to A’s ballpark update Link to Rian Johnson post Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ever since we started hosting live Collider Ladies Night panels at San Diego Comic-Con, we've been tempted to explore doing group editions of the show, and what better ensemble to start that with than the women of the new Knives Out movie?Mila Kunis, Cailee Spaeny and Kerry Washington are some of the latest to join Rian Johnson's growing Knives Out family. In the third installment of the Oscar-nominated franchise, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Spaeny and Washington play two of Monsignor Wicks' (Josh Brolin) parishioners. Washington's Vera Draven is a lawyer whose father was a close friend to Wicks before he passed, and Spaeny plays Simone Vivane, a renowned concert cellist struggling with health concerns.When Monsignor Wicks is suddenly killed in the middle of a service while totally alone in the storage closet, Kunis' Police Chief Geraldine Scott calls upon Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) to investigate. Could Vera or Simone have killed Wicks? Or perhaps it was another member of his flock? Or, what about the church newcomer, Josh O'Connor's Father Jud Duplenticy? This time around, Blanc will have to do the impossible — solve a locked-room murder mystery.The Knives Out movies have become highly regarded for their summer camp-like sets and for their unparalleled rosters of talent, and Wake Up Dead Man is no different. Not only are Kunis, Spaeny and Washington fantastic additions to this cinematic world, but they also rock a wonderful group dynamic in an interview setting, one oozing with enthusiasm for each other as people and artists, feelings that left them eager to reunite for another film. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holy smokes! Now THIS is how you write a murder mystery. If you're a mystery writer, or simply want to watch an absolutely fantastic film during the holiday season, be sure to check out THE LAST OF SHEILA. This episode originally aired in Season 9 and it's one of our favourites. So sit back and enjoy, and we'll be back with a brand new show on January 14, 2026. -V. Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

Bryan has had the privilege of talking with Rian Johnson twice for Script Magazine, once for Knives Out and once for Wake Up Dead Man. Both times they talked about his philosophy on writing and both times it touched on techniques and ideas that intersected with things that were relevant to his work on The Last Jedi. Though these interviews focus on the craft of writing and deal as much with Rian's other movies as they do Star Wars, we hope fans of Star Wars and Full of Sith will enjoy them.

This week, it's the holiday season! What says holidays more than a tentpole sequel on a streaming service? Nothing. Nothing does. This movie is a very fun whodunnit romp that will surely please the part of your family who can stay awake on the couch. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025), directed by Rian Johnson.

Mark Kermode and Jack Howard discuss all three of Rian Johnson's Knives Out movies.https://www.instagram.com/kermodeonfilm/https://www.instagram.com/kermodedodge/https://www.instagram.com/jackhoward/Watch Jack's short film 'The Second Time Around' on Channel 4:https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-second-time-aroundMark Kermode Live in 3D and Kermode on Film are HLA Agency productions.With thanks to Richard Gay.© HLA Agency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our last episode of 2025, we talk about one of the best movies released in 2025: Wake Up Dead Man, the third film in Rian Johnson's Knives Out series. Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is back to take on a locked-room mystery in the depths (literally and figuratively) of the Catholic Church. Come for the twisty plot, stay for the thematic grappling with faith and humanism, stay even longer for Josh O'Connor in a clerical collar. Thank you so much for joining us and for supporting us this year! We'll be on break for the holidays, but will return in January in a month-long tribute to Rob Reiner, starting with When Harry Met Sally. See you in 2026!

Episode Description: In this episode, Christopher Schnese and Stephen David Miller bring you a review of Wake Up Dead Man (2025). Directed by Rian Johnson. With Daniel Craig, Josh O'Connor, and Glenn Close. Benoit Blanc returns for his most dangerous case yet. Show Notes Hosts: • Christopher Schnese and Stephen David Miller Featured Review: • Wake Up Dead Man (2025) The Verdict: • Stephen: Must See • Christopher: Must See Music for this Episode: • Into the Transcendence by Tilman Sillescu Contact the show: • email: fans@thespoilerwarning.com Listener Survey: • Please help us by taking our survey

Episode Description: In this episode, Christopher Schnese and Stephen David Miller bring you a review of Wake Up Dead Man (2025). Directed by Rian Johnson. With Daniel Craig, Josh O'Connor, and Glenn Close. Benoit Blanc returns for his most dangerous case yet. Show Notes Hosts: • Christopher Schnese and Stephen David Miller Featured Review: • Wake Up Dead Man (2025) The Verdict: • Stephen: Must See • Christopher: Must See Music for this Episode: • Into the Transcendence by Tilman Sillescu Contact the show: • email: fans@thespoilerwarning.com Listener Survey: • Please help us by taking our survey

With Rian Johnson's latest Knives Out entry, Wake Up Dead Man available to stream, we'll remind you he's no stranger to the genre, as we look back on his directorial feature film debut, Brick!Check out our NEW YouTube Channel and subscribe now! If you're one of the first 100 subscribers, you'll be entered to win a weekend pass for one of several comic cons happening in 2026!Head over to our Patreon and get started with a FREE 7-day trial. We've got plenty of exclusive content and episodes that you'll only find there! You can also sign up as a free member! www.afilmbypodcast.com/ for more information.Email us at afilmbypodcast@gmail.com with your questions, comments, and requests.Find us on Instagram, X, and Facebook @afilmbypodcast.

A hat trick for Rian Johnson! The director feeds us the third Benoit Blanc film, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, and once again, gets us exercising our brains and funny bone. Luke hated the cast chemistry but enjoyed everything else especially Josh O'Connor. Corrye found himself fond of the commentary on faith and politics. The Chumps have a ball exploring the nooks and crannies of this puzzle box. PLUS: Remembering Rob Reiner, forgiving Netflix, and Luke's most bizarre 5 Questions yet!

Daniel Craig był Bondem. Teraz Daniel Craig to Benoit Blanc. Netflix sfinansował trzecią już odsłonę serii Knives Out. Sprawdzamy czy film Wake Up Dead Man jest bardziej żywy czy martwy, czy Rian Johnson nadal umie napisać dobry scenariusz, czy aktorska ekipa dotrzyma kroku głównemu gwiazdorowi i jak nowy film wygląda w porównaniu do poprzednich. Spoilery jak stąd do stanu Nowy Jork.

You gotta have faith because we've got our Knives Out for the third installment in Rian Johnson's murder mystery trilogy "Wake Up Dead Man"! It'll take Benoit Blanc to solve this debate about faith versus religion In this spirited episode!If you're enjoying the show, consider buying us a coffee, sending us an email or hitting us up on Letterboxd, Twitter(X), BlueSky or Instagram!You can catch our episodes early and ad free over on Nebula! Sign up with the link below. It really helps out the pod so we thank you in advance!https://go.nebula.tv/theonlypodcastaboutmoviesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Flyover Film Country, the hosts discuss the film 'Wake Up Dead Man,' directed by Rian Johnson. They explore its themes of faith, personal journeys, and the critique of the church. The conversation delves into the background of Rian Johnson and how it influences the film's narrative. The hosts emphasize the importance of love and service in Christianity, while also reflecting on cultural and historical contexts surrounding faith. The episode concludes with thoughts on the film's impact and its relevance in today's society. In this engaging conversation, the speakers explore themes of personal growth, faith, and the complexities of relationships. They reflect on the pressures of raising children, the importance of grappling with one's beliefs, and the authenticity of connections within the church. The discussion also delves into cinematic elements, character depth, and the emotional responses elicited by storytelling, culminating in a rich analysis of the film's themes and their personal reflections on faith and purpose.

In this episode Kody and Korbin talk Rian Johnson's debut feature "Brick" (31:40) and a short review of his latest film "Wake Up Dead Man" (16:05)Hosts: Korbin Zvokel and Kody Webbhttps://linktr.ee/khapodcast

On this episode of Film On Tap, Tom, Andres, and Nancy discuss the trailers for Supergirl and Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. They also dive deep into their spoiler-filled thoughts on Wake Up Dead Man, the third installment in the beloved Knives Out series from writer/director Rian Johnson!

Wake Up Dead Man, a new Reel Spoilers just dropped.We're joined by Benoit Blanc biographer and Knives Out expert Brad Heyen to break down the third film in Rian Johnson's whodunit trilogy.Follow Brad's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@RulesofVillainyWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NG-DNPXbKhESupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/reelspoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another fun-filled episode of Nerds Talking! is here, and Lafayette and Carlos are back behind the mic bringing the perfect mix of pop culture, laughs, and nerdy debates.This week, the crew dives deep into the latest entertainment news, kicking things off with a spoiler-light review of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the highly anticipated third installment in Rian Johnson's hit murder-mystery franchise. With Daniel Craig returning as the unforgettable Benoit Blanc, the film delivers an eerie, brain-twisting case involving a seemingly impossible murder at a church in upstate New York. The discussion highlights standout performances from a stacked ensemble cast including Josh O'Connor, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Josh Brolin, and more, as well as how this chapter compares to the previous Knives Out films and what it adds to the evolving legacy of the series.But it wouldn't be Nerds Talking without going delightfully off the rails. The conversation takes a hilarious (and surprisingly important) turn as the fellas tackle a real-world question that should have an obvious answer: Do you wash your hands after using the urinal? Spoiler alert—you absolutely should, and the crew explains why, with plenty of humor and zero shame.From murder mysteries and movie magic to life lessons you didn't know you needed, this episode is packed with laughs, memories, and sharp nerdy insights. Tune in, turn it up, and let Lafayette and Carlos put a smile on your face. You won't want to miss it!#NerdsTalking #PodcastLife #KnivesOut #WakeUpDeadMan #BenoitBlanc #MovieReview #EntertainmentNews #NerdCulture #PopCulturePodcast #NetflixMovies #GeekHumor

Kelsi chats with David Zahl about themes of faith and grace in Rian Johnson's newest film, Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man.David Zahl is founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries, which receives more than 1 million website page views per year and 35,000 newsletter subscribers and social media followers. He is editor in chief of the Mockingbird blog and cohost of the Mockingcast podcast.Show Notes: ⁠Support 1517⁠⁠1517 Podcasts⁠⁠The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠1517 on YouTubeRead Dave's articleFollow Kelsi on InstagramFollow Kelsi on SubstackSubscribe to Outside Ourselves

Steve's Required Viewing pick is the small-town horror/comedy Ick, which concerns a bunch of people whose quaint, sheltered world is infested with malevolent forces that have slowly grown in power over countless years (gee I wonder what that's like), and the guys discuss that before moving on to Wake Up Dead Man, the latest Benoit Blanc murder mystery from Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig, with another all-star cast and a lot to say about the nature of belief, centered on a small, hyper-religious cult of personality that threatens to corrupt everyone it touches (gee I wonder what that's like). The guys also take a moment to admire the amazing career of the irreplaceable Rob Reiner.

This week on The First Run, Matt and Chris check out the latest accent from Daniel Craig in Rian Johnson's latest Knives Out mystery, ‘Wake Up Dead Man'. Then Chris will give you his thoughts on the 2025 remake of ‘Silent Night, Deadly Night'. Chris and Matt close out the how by spending a little time saying farewell to the late, great Rob Reiner. 00:00-16:24: Wake Up Dead Man16:25-24:00: Silent Night, Deadly Night 202524:01-31:59: In Memoriam: Rob Reiner32:00-37:19: Wrap Up Theme music by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

UNEQUAL SEQUEL - BONUS REVIEW EPISODE- WAKE UP DEAN MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY~ This week on Unequal Sequel, we're polishing the silverware and stepping back into the genteel chaos of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery — a sequel that dares to ask the eternal question: how many rich, terrible people can Benoit Blanc politely accuse before someone finally notices the blood on the carpet? Join us as we investigate Rian Johnson's darker, moodier return to the whodunit, unpacking whether this third outing sharpens the franchise's blade or simply rearranges the suspects around a fancier table. Is the mystery genuinely clever, or just very confident in its own misdirection? Expect wild theories, overconfident accusations, and at least one dramatic monologue about Southern accents. Does Wake Up Dead Man resurrect the magic, or should this mystery have stayed buried? Let's find out — one unequal sequel at a time. On a side note we do dive in spoilers but it's very clear when that happens because we do give out a big warning. So if you don't want it spoiled then stay clear of this episode. If you like what you hear and want even more of us, then check out our subscriber service at www.anotherslice.com/unequalsequel it's only £2.99 a month for loads more bonus content.  We'd love it if you could share our little pod with your friends and family. All you need to do is send them a link like one of these...  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5BRZK1OAklN8AAF0zpAO9L  Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/unequal-sequel/id1569119013  If you want to get in touch with the show, here's how:  EMAIL: unequalsequel@hotmail.com  TWITTER: @UnequalSequel  INSTAGRAM: @unequalsequel  THREADS: @unequalsequel  TIKTOK: @unequalsequel  We hope you enjoy the pod and don't forget please give us a rate and review (5 stars would be great!) and if you want to hear what other great guests are coming up on the pod then click the subscribe button to always know when the next episode drops! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Written and directed by Rian Johnson, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is a standalone sequel to Glass Onion (2022) and the third instalment overall in the Knives Out film series starring Daniel Craig as master detective Benoit Blanc. Benoit Blanc takes on a new case that leads him to a small church in upstate New York. The story revolves around a mysterious death that occurs within the church community, prompting Blanc to unravel a web of secrets and tensions among the congregation. We break down all things "Netflix Original", the packed cast, and of course whodunit?

This week Seamus and Garrett squeeze into their shiny, sponsored jumpsuits to talk about the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger classic The Running Man! *Brought to you by Cadre Cola* Plus, Gremlins 3 announced, a new Star Trek movie from Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, the cancelation of Rian Johnson's Poker Face, and the trailer for the Young Jedi Adventures' 3rd and final season. Episode timecodes: News - 1:52 Gremlins 3 announced - 1:52 New Star Trek Movie - 4:40 Rian Johnson's Poker Face cancelled - 7:18 Young Jedi Adventures season 3 trailer - 9:47 The Running Man (1987) - 19:10 The Running Man (1987) spoilers - 27:17 Pop Culture Reference (Richard Bachman) - 46:20 Save The Rec Center (30 Rock & Breaking News) - 51:16 Reach the show: Email: popculturereferencepod@gmail.com Bluesky: @pcr-podcast.bsky.social TikTok: @PCR_Podcast Instagram: @PCR_Podcast Facebook: facebook.com/PopCultureReference Music from filmmusic.io "Wallpaper" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) License: CC BY (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

There's a mystery afoot: Why can't Earth's Mightiest Critics stop reviewing Netflix movies?(Maybe because there are just too many of them to ignore!)This week, we're back talking about Rian Johnson's latest installment in his Benoit Blanc franchise, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery! Daniel Craig returns as the sly Southern sleuth, as he's roped into investigating a strange death inside a church. The number of suspects and twists are about as ungodly as the crime, and the clock is ticking!This third chapter in the Knives Out saga has been praised as perhaps the best one yet. But can someone (Ian) who didn't care for the first film and didn't bother with the second (2022's Glass Onion) finally appreciate this outrageous ensemble Whodunnit series--or will Wake Up Dead Man lull him to sleep?Join us as we sleuth our way through the mystery of this saga's popularity--and take your questions, comments, and SuperChats!Wake Up Dead Man is now streaming on Netflix!Support Kicking the Seat on Patreon, subscribe to us on YouTube, and follow us at:XLetterboxdInstagramFacebookShow LinksWatch the Wake Up Dead Man (2025) trailer. As mentioned in the show, Ian watched the latest episode of Fr. Edward Looney's podcast, featuring an interview with Wake Up Dead Man Catholic consultant Fr. Scott Bailey.Support all of Earth's Mightiest Critics at their various outlets:Keep up with Jeff York's criticism and caricatures at The Establishing Shot and Pipeline Artists.Check out Mark "The Movie Man" Krawczyk's The Spoiler Room Podcast.Get seated with The Blonde in Front!Follow David Fowlie's film criticism at Keeping It Reel.Get educated with Don Shanahan at Every Movie Has a Lesson…...And Film Obsessive...and the Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast.Keep up with Annie Banks at The Mary Sue....and We Got This Covered.Make Nice with Mike Crowley of You'll Probably Agree.And save your celluloid soul with Dave Canfield's Substack, "Creature Feature Preacher".

The world lost a great director this week, and its not gonna be the same without him. We've got two weeks of stories to cover, The Game Awards got swept, and also gave us to Star Wars game announcements. The Golden Globes are set, and will the Bear be dethroned by The Studio? The Warner Bros and Netflix saga has begun, despite Paramount's eagerness, CCXP brought the trailers, and Wake Up Dead man dropped on Netflix. Come take a listen.

This week, Louis is joined by stand-up comedian and comedy writer Dylan Adler to discuss Rob Reiner's Legacy, the new Rian Johnson film Wake Up Dead Man, and their top picks for the ultimate gay guy music video playlist. Walton Goggins also joins Louis to chat about the new season of Fallout, The White Lotus, and more. Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episodes, exclusive content, and other community events. Find us there at YouTube.com/@KeepItPodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the final On-Screen Live of 2025, we reviewed Rian Johnson's new Knives Out entry, Wake Up Dead Man, reacted to the teaser for the new Street Fighter flick, and even gave some capsule reviews of a few holiday films you may (or may not!) want to take in during this festive season, both from the Hallmark Channel and Netflix! We also announced the titles for the first three shows of our 2026 tour and even played a surprise round of the VHS Trailer Game! On-Screen Live will return in 2026... Throughout 2025, we'll be donating 100% of our earnings from our merch shop to the Center for Reproductive Rights. So head over and check out all these masterful designs and see what tickles your fancy! Shirts? Phone cases? Canvas prints? We got all that and more! Check it out and kick in for a good cause! Original cover art by Felipe Sobreiro.

We never wanna leave the Benoit Blanc Cinematic Universe, and apparently neither does Rian Johnson. Let's react to the third installment and compare it to the others as we get one last review in before Avatar 3. Support us on Patreon & become a MAM VIP! madaboutmoviespodcast.com/vip Donate @ madaboutmoviespodcast.com Follow: X: @madaboutmovies IG: @madaboutmoviespodcast Kent Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/kentgarrison/ Brian Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/briangill/ Richard Letterboxd https://letterboxd.com/richardbardon/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I am SO excited about this episode. I got to sit down with Rian Johnson to talk about Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, and honestly? This might be my favorite conversation I've had all year. Not just because it's a blast of a film (which it absolutely is), but because Rian brought so much theological depth and personal wrestling to this project. I'm always looking for that sweet spot where great storytelling meets profound questions about faith, power, community, and what it means to be human. This film? It's the jackpot. I literally told Rian I now have an excuse to show a movie I genuinely enjoy in class and call it “movie day.” You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube The Film: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is now streaming on Netflix. Watch it. It's spectacular. Rian Johnson is an acclaimed writer-director best known for creating the Knives Out mystery franchise, including Knives Out (2019), Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022), and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025). His work is characterized by genre-bending storytelling that weaves together intricate plots with deep thematic exploration. Johnson's other notable films include Brick (2005), a neo-noir set in a high school; Looper (2012), a science fiction thriller; and Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). He also directed several critically acclaimed episodes of Breaking Bad, including the Emmy-winning “Ozymandias.” Raised in the evangelical church, Johnson draws on his formative religious experiences to explore themes of grace, moral complexity, and the tension between reason and faith in his work. He cites influences ranging from G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown mysteries to Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell's work on storytelling and myth. Known for his meticulous approach to storytelling—he still writes his screenplays longhand in notebooks—Johnson creates films that function as both wildly entertaining genre exercises and thoughtful examinations of contemporary moral and social questions. ⁠Join us at Theology Beer Camp, October 8-10, in Kansas City!⁠⁠ ⁠UPCOMING ONLINE CLASS: The Rise of the Nones⁠ One-third of Americans now claim no religious affiliation. That's 100 million people.  But here's what most church leaders get wrong: they're not all the same. Some still believe in God. Some are actively searching. Some are quietly indifferent. Some think religion is harmful.  Ryan Burge & Tony Jones have conducted the first large-scale survey of American "Nones", which reveals 4 distinct categories—each requiring a different approach. Understanding the difference could transform everything from your ministry to your own spiritual quest. ⁠Get info & join the donation-based class (including 0) here.⁠ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 75,000 other people by joining our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 50 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before we start, we just wanted to say how shocked and saddened we all are by the news of Rob Reiner's death. Sonny wrote an obit here; if you'd like, the chat is open for subscribers to discuss here. The news broke literally as we were taping this, so we couldn't work it into this week's episode, but we plan on taping an extra podcast at some point this week to discuss his life and legacy. Stay tuned for that. --- We're trying something new with this week's episode: We have a special guest for cons and nons! The Entertainment Strategy Guy is here to break down what he loves and what he hates about the pending Netflix-WB deal. It makes sense for Netflix … but is it good for the industry as a whole? We break it down for your today.  And then Peter, Alyssa, and Sonny break down the latest Benoit Blanc adventure: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Yes, it's a murder-mystery, but it feels as though Rian Johnson is finally trying to do something a little deeper than settle petty political grievances.  Make sure to swing by Thursday for our bonus episode on ensemble movies. And stay safe out there. It was a weird weekend.

This week, we review the third film in the whodunnit series of Benoit Blanc mysteries: Wake Up Dead Man. After Knives Out and Glass Onion, director Rian Johnson returns to the reins of his favorite genre. We discuss the franchise's increasingly charismatic roster of secondary protagonists, the year of Josh O'Connor, and whether or not Johnson's penchant for heavy-handed topicality once again derails a Benoit Blanc tale.

Sean and Amanda begin the show by honoring the towering career of Rob Reiner following his devastating passing (1:22). Then, they open up the mailbag and answer your questions about the general panic and angst about the future of the movie business (7:48). Next, they cover Rian Johnson's new murder mystery sequel, ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,' starring Josh O'Connor and Daniel Craig (1:10:14). Finally, Johnson joins the show to discuss why he gravitates toward murder mysteries as a storyteller, how his personal relationship with religion and faith has evolved over time, and why he was blown away by O'Connor's performance (1:24:58). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Rian Johnson Producer: Jack Sanders Shopping. Streaming. Celebrating. It's on Prime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David, Devindra, and Jeff get out the vote for Ella McCay, head down the road to revenge with Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, and navigate a new world in Left-Handed Girl. Then they return to the scene of the crime with Rian Johnson's latest film, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. We're making video versions of our reviews! Be sure to follow us on the following platforms: YouTube Tiktok Instagram Threads Weekly Plugs David - New Travel Vlog: Q&A  Devindra - Engadget Podcast on Netflix/WB Jeff - Jeff's Cameo Page Shownotes (All timestamps are approximate only)    What we've been watching (~00:39:43) David - Left-Handed Girl, Sentimental Value Devindra - Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, Smiling Friends Jeff - Ella McCay, Song Sung Blue Featured Review (~01:16:44)     Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery SPOILERS (~01:40:01) Support David's artistic endeavors at his Patreon and subscribe to his free newsletter Decoding Everything. Check out Jeff Cannata's podcasts DLC and We Have Concerns. Listen to Devindra's podcast with Engadget on all things tech. You can always e-mail us at slashfilmcast(AT)gmail(DOT)com. Credits: Our theme song is by Tim McEwan from The Midnight. This episode was edited by Noah Ross who also created our weekly plugs and spoiler bumper music. Our Slashfilmcourt music comes from Simon Harris. If you'd like to advertise with us or sponsor us, please e-mail slashfilmcast@gmail.com. You can support the podcast by going to patreon.com/filmpodcast or by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.

Rian Johnson's new Knives Out film, 'Wake Up Dead Man,' is sparking conversations few mainstream movies ever touch — faith, forgiveness, power and what it actually means to follow Jesus in a polarized world.In this episode, we talk with the filmmaker about growing up in the Church, walking away from faith and why Christ's teachings — especially “love your enemy” — still shape the stories he wants to tell. Johnson opens up about wrestling with the us-versus-them mentality, the corrupting pull of power and influence, and why he wanted to portray Christian belief with empathy rather than caricature.Plus, the RELEVANT crew debates the best Christmas movie of all time in a chaotic bracket showdown, reacts to surprising year-end culture stories and discusses new research suggesting adolescence doesn't actually end until age 32.HIGHLIGHTS:01:40 – Why 'Wake Up Dead Man' Feels Like a Gospel Story04:00 – Serving vs. Fighting: Faith and the Culture War06:45 – Why Culture Is More Open to Spiritual Conversations09:20 – Is Wake Up Dead Man the Best Knives Out Movie?12:10 – Is Rian Johnson Done With Faith?13:10 – Christianity vs. Church Culture20:15 – RELEVANT Buzz22:00 – Forrest Frank Breaks Into Google's “Hum to Search” List26:30 – Theo Von and Morgan Wallen's Bible Study Revealed32:00 – Rian Johnson on Growing Up Evangelical34:00 – “Arms Wide Open vs. Fists Up” Faith Explained39:00 — SLICES39:20 – New Research Says Adolescence Lasts Until Age 3245:15 – AI Reality TV Is Here (Unfortunately)47:30 – Christmas Movie Bracket ChallengeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jacob Bertrand returns this week on Lone Lobos. He and cohost Xolo Maridueña discuss video games like Ultimate Chicken Horse and Mario Kart. Jacob and Xolo share their thoughts on the latest movies they've watched, including Rian Johnson's newest film, “Wake Up Dead Man,” available exclusively for streaming on Netflix. The duo then explores the meaning behind the trending 67. Finally, the team reveals their top artist of the year. Lobitos exclusivos can listen to an extended conversation with the guys, where they react to the Supergirl trailer directed by Craig Gillespie, set to release in theaters in 2026.Free Discord Access: https://discord.gg/KnDhbnBMCjJoin Supercast Today for the full episode: https://lonelobos.supercast.com/Follow Lone Lobos on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lonelobosFollow Xolo Maridueña on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xolo_mariduenaFollow Jacob Bertrand on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejacobbertrandFollow Jordan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmkm808Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialmonicat_We want your feedback! Please fill out the survey to help us improve our podcast https://tinyurl.com/LLPodcastFeedbackhttp://www.heyxolo.com/Jacobs Channel:  @ThreeFloating  

Here's a sneak peek at our all new full-length Patreon episode on Rian Johnson's third Knives Out film Wake Up Dead Man (2025).Like what you hear? Head on over to www.patreon.com/horrorqueers and become a Patron for more exclusive bonus content today!Theme Music: Alexander Nakarada Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received just as strong reviews as the first two entries in the franchise, "Knives Out" and "Glass Onion," with praise directed at Rian Johnson's direction, writing, and the performances of the cast. Johnson, along with members of the cast and crew, were all kind enough to spend some time speaking with Next Best Picture over the past few weeks, and you can listen to those conversations below. First, we have my interview with Rian Johnson and Josh O'Connor, followed by Dan Bayer's interview with Johnson and Benoit Blanc himself, Daniel Craig. Then we have Cody Dericks's interview with Academy Award-nominee and on-screen legend Glenn Close, followed by my chat with Mila Kunis and Cailee Spaeny, then Brendan Hodges's discussion with cinematographer Steve Yedlin, and finally my interview with composer Nathan Johnson. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to stream on Netflix, and is up for your consideration for this year's Academy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The boys are back and a murder is a foot! Join us as we review the latest from Rian Johnson's Knives Out franchise Wake Up Dead Man. Also in this episode we pay tribute to the late great director Rob Reiner 

On this episode of Project Big Screen, our full panel is back as we review two of the year's biggest releases: ‘WAKE UP DEAD MAN' and ‘HAMNET'. Where does the latest Knives Out Mystery rank in Rian Johnson's whodunnit franchise? And is Jessie Buckley less of a lock for Best Actress than we were led to believe? We also react to industry news, including the Golden Globe nominations — should we care? And we catch up on the movies and series we were watching for the past week… We finish the episode with a ranking of our Top 10 Movies That Make Us Cry — what do you think deserves to go #1? Make sure to like and subscribe — and if you want to be a part of our fan rankings, listen for Gooch's instructions in this episode on how to join! Timecodes: || Intro - (0:00) || Wake Up Dead Man Review - (2:37) || Wake Up Dead Man SPOILERS - (14:34) || Ad - (26:01) || Hamnet Review - (27:13) || Hamnet SPOILERS - (44:26) || Ad - (48:43) || Ella McCay Reactions - (49:55) || Golden Globe Nominations - (1:03:27) || Supergirl Trailer - (1:13:23) || The Drama Trailer - (1:19:08) || Warner Bros Update - (1:20:03) || Doomsday Marketing - (1:20:34) || Megalopolis Returns - (1:23:22) || What We're Watching - (1:25:05) || Top 10 Tearjerkers - (1:33:11) Follow us on Social Media: barstool.link/pbs X | Twitter | Letterboxd: @ProjBigScreen IG | Tik Tok: @ProjectBigScreen Our Personal Letterboxds: Jeff: @JeffDLowe Gooch: @Bobby_Gooch Kenjac: @Kenjac Klemmer: @ChrisKlemmer Kirk: @KirkMinihaneYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/lightscamerabarstool

Why do so many people choose to be religious? What draws people to embrace belief? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with filmmaker Rian Johnson, his new film "Wake Up Dead Man" and the themes of faith his movie brings up. References and resources Global religious population: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/06/09/how-the-global-religious-landscape-changed-from-2010-to-2020/   American religious population: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2025/12/8/us-religious-decline-stalls-as-new-pew-data-shows-stabilization-even-among-young-adults Jon Stewart on faith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSmrEVjQdG8 Arthur Brooks on faith: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/public-leadership-management/happiness-may-be-decline-we-can-all Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmestudios.com Rian Johnson: https://x.com/rianjohnson

Josh O'Connor has four films out this year. In Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Rian Johnson's latest whodunnit, he shape-shifts into a boxer turned priest. O'Connor talks about how working with a stacked ensemble cast didn't take away from the community and collaboration he craves, calling it “a beautiful thing.” He also reveals the moments on set with Daniel Craig and Glenn Close that left him in awe. Plus, The Crown actor dishes on what preparation was like ahead of hosting SNL, how his very late introduction to TikTok came about, and the current state of his beloved frog pond. Video episodes are available on the Still Watching Netflix YouTube Channel. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.

Hot on the heels of submitting their Chicago Film Critics Association ballots, Adam and Josh share their favorite performances of the year, plus some thoughts on Rian Johnson's WAKE UP DEAD MAN and Chloe Zhao's HAMNET. This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:03:26) Performances of ‘25: Supporting (00:03:27-00:31:15) Filmspotting Family (00:31:16-00:35:40) Performances of ‘25: Lead (00:35:41-01:09:03) Wake Up Dead Man (01:09:04-01:17:51) Hamnet (01:17:52-01:29:11) Brickspotting (Boys Go to Jupiter, If I Had Legs…) (01:29:12-01:35:41) Notes / Massacre Theatre (01:35:42-01:46:19) Polls (01:46:20-01:54:07) Credits / New Releases (01:54:08-01:57:17) Links: -Chicago Film Critics Association https://chicagofilmcritics.org/ -Poll: Film of the Year https://poll.fm/16367252 -“Black Actresses Are Carrying One Battle After Another” | Vulture https://www.vulture.com/article/black-actresses-are-carrying-one-battle-after-another.html -”Wagner Moura's moment is now.” | L.A. Times https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2025-12-03/wagner-moura-brazil-secret-agent-kleber-mendonca-filho Feedback: -Email us at ⁠⁠⁠feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠⁠. -⁠⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. ⁠⁠⁠http://filmspottingfamily.com⁠⁠⁠ -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop. ⁠⁠https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠ Follow: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm⁠⁠  https://www.instagram.com/larsenonfilm  ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul and Amy step into the shadowy hallways of Brick, exploring how Rian Johnson fused hard-boiled noir with high school drama to create one of the most striking debuts of the 2000s. They also delve into Johnson's meticulous planning, the film's tight-budget and ingenuity, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt's transformative performance. You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul's Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6 Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/ Paul's book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer Episodic Art by Kim Troxall: https://www.unspooledart.com/ Learn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and on Instagram @unspooledpod, and don't forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest today is director Rian Johnson, which is exciting for me, because I've been a huge fan of his ever since seeing his first feature film, ‘Brick,'  in 2006. Since then, he's made six more feature films, including ‘Looper‘ in 2012; ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi‘ in 2017; the murder mystery ‘Knives Out‘ in 2019; and his most recent movie, another in the 'Knives Out' series, ‘Wake Up Dead Man,‘ which is already out in theaters, and comes to Netflix on December 12. I talked to Rian about a piece of music that had a profound impact on him, which was the overture to ‘Das Rheingold‘ by Richard Wagner. For more info, visit songexploder.net/rian-johnson.