Wake Up Dead Man Movie Review

Movie Review: Wake Up Dead Man (2025)

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.0 / 5)

The latest installment in the Knives Out murder mystery series is serviceable enough. With a charismatic cast and an engaging story, the film offers several funny moments in the beginning. However, as the mystery unfolds, the experience becomes a bit of a mixed bag.

THE PROS

• Daniel Craig remains affable and charming as Benoit Blanc.
• Josh O’Connor carries the film with an admirable, steady hand.
• A colorful ensemble that playfully chews the scenery.

THE CONS

• Twists feel designed solely to confuse the audience.
• Impossible to solve without extensive final exposition.
• The least favorite entry in the trilogy so far.

If you choose to simply sit back and absorb the film without trying to unravel the clues yourself, Wake Up Dead Man is an entertaining watch. Rian Johnson clearly still has a passion for this universe, and while the plot feels overly elaborate, the energy of the series remains intact.

"The story gives the viewer no real chance of solving the action without extensive, elaborate plot exposition help at the end. The twists and turns aren't particularly satisfying when the whole point seems to be just to confuse the audience."

Where to Watch Online:

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is currently available to stream exclusively on Netflix.

The Verdict

A "serviceable enough" mystery that relies more on confusion than cleverness. Entertaining for the cast alone, but it doesn't reward active clue-hunting as well as its predecessors.

READ THE ORIGINAL REVIEW ON LETTERBOXD

Sisu Road to Revenge

Movie Review: Sisu: Road to Revenge (2025)

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.0 / 5)

Sisu: Road to Revenge is a gleefully over-the-top and relentless action yarn. While it may be short on plot, it is filled to the brim with bloody, non-stop fighting and creative weapons violence. It’s a revenge movie in every sense of the word, content to live or die by the audience's craving for retribution and redemptive retaliation.

THE PROS

• Impressive set pieces and creative stunt choreography.
• Satisfying, non-stop redemptive retaliation.
• A strong contender for best action film of the year.

THE CONS

• Paper-thin, uncomplicated story.
• Lacks the freshness of the first film.

How It Compares to the Original:

While 2022's Sisu was a grounded, "person on the ground" thriller set in Lapland, Road to Revenge scales up significantly. It trades the original's gritty minimalism for "Motor Mayhem"—a vehicular chase style reminiscent of Mad Max: Fury Road, featuring planes, trains, and motorcycles. It may lack the first film's spark of surprise, but it compensates with much higher stakes and a more personal villain.

The film excels through its sheer momentum and technical execution. While the narrative is simple, the choreography holds your attention from start to finish. It works effectively as a middle or closing chapter, though I personally hope to see a third film to complete a trilogy.

"Sisu: Road to Revenge excels with impressive set pieces and creative stunt choreography. The only thing holding the film back from greatness is a paper thin, uncomplicated story."

Fun Fact: The One-Take "Blood Disco"

Director Jalmari Helander referred to one of the major set pieces as a "blood disco" because it was filmed in a single take. Due to the high cost and time required to reset the practical blood squibs, the crew only had one chance per day to get those explosive shots right.

Where to Watch Online:

Sisu: Road to Revenge is available to buy or rent on [Apple TV](https://www.apple.com), [Amazon Prime Video](https://www.amazon.com), and [Vudu/Fandango at Home](https://www.vudu.com).

The Verdict

An absolute blast for action purists. It doesn't overthink the plot because it doesn't have to; the non-stop choreography and brutal energy make it a satisfying, blood-soaked ride.

READ THE ORIGINAL REVIEW ON LETTERBOXD

Train Dreams

Train Dreams (2025)

★★★★☆

A Simple Tale of a Life Lived

Production Details

• Director: Clint Bentley
• Writers: Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar
• Starring: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones
• Featuring: William H. Macy, Kerry Condon
• Narrator: Will Patton
• Cinematography: Adolpho Veloso

Where to Watch

Streaming globally on Netflix.

---

Original Review on Letterboxd →

"A simple, yet poignant story about the fragility of life, the painful passing of time, and a humble search for meaning and connection in a changing world."

Train Dreams is a cinematic poem content with catching moments of pure sincerity and capturing the pain, frustration, and peaceful acceptance of longing. This isn't meant to be a complex examination on the purpose of life, or a redemptive story on the merits of trauma or suffering. It is a simple tale of a life being lived.

"The emphasis of the story focuses on the simple joys in the world, as well as trying to gracefully ride the chaos and unpredictability of life and time."

Depending on one's mood, it could be a frustrating watch if the viewer is looking for traditional action, drama, or riveting entertainment. But it's still a mesmerizing watch.

In terms of visuals and style, people may point to similarities to some of Terrence Malick’s work. It's a fair comparison, but Train Dreams has its own vibe—it feels more like the recounting of a sentimental and profound life memory. This is more of a humble short meditation than an epic, sprawling tale.

The movie features a grounded, affable, and heartfelt performance from Joel Edgerton, as well as a charming, brief supporting performance from William H. Macy. It's a movie that deserves to be considered and sat with as it washes over the viewer with contemplation.

The Good

• Stunning, naturalistic cinematography
• Joel Edgerton’s career-best performance
• Poetic, patient storytelling
• Faithful adaptation of Denis Johnson's work

The Bad

• Deliberately slow pace (not for everyone)
• Brief runtime may feel abrupt to some

💡 Fun Facts

• Source Material: The film is an adaptation of Denis Johnson's 2011 novella, which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist.
• Sonic Roots: Narrator Will Patton also voiced the official audiobook for the novella, bringing a familiar gravitas to the film.
• Visual Philosophy: Cinematographer Adolpho Veloso used exclusively natural light for exterior scenes to mimic the "golden hour" aesthetic.
• Sundance Hit: Netflix acquired the film for a reported eight-figure deal following its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

Frankenstein

View Full Review on Letterboxd

A Glorious Disappointment

Del Toro's Frankenstein: A Breathtaking Tragedy of Generational Trauma

Film Brief

Director: Guillermo Del Toro

Where to Watch: Netflix

Initial Rating: ★★★☆☆

Director Guillermo Del Toro finally unleashes his classic monster movie adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Reportedly a passion project many years in the making, the film is a unique take on the material, focusing more on the tragedy of passed-along generational trauma than a traditional horror thriller.

In terms of aesthetics, this adaptation is simply visually stunning. The gothic style, set design, costumes, and makeup are breathtaking. However, the film is simply not scary. It lacks the thrills or true horror that a Frankenstein movie should have. The creature is extremely sympathetic and almost heroic, which arguably undermines the original story's effectiveness.

The Spark ✅

• Jacob Elordi’s standout, soulful performance as the Creature.
• Impeccable, world-class gothic production design.
• A bold, unique focus on parental cycles of abuse.

The Flatline ❌

• A complete lack of horror or traditional thrills.
• Narrative pacing drags, particularly for book fans.
• Oscar Isaac’s balancing act doesn't always land.

Behind the Scenes

Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein

Jacob Elordi as The Creature

Mia Goth as Elizabeth Lavenza

Christoph Waltz as Dr. Pretorius

Movie vs. Original Novel

Feature	Mary Shelley's Novel	Del Toro's Adaptation
The Ending	Bleak Arctic tragedy and death.	Reconciliation and trauma-breaking.
The Creature	Vengeful and articulate killer.	Victimized and heroic figure.
The Victim	The innocents surrounding Victor.	Victor himself (via his father).

The Final Verdict

It’s a hard one for me. I am a fan of the original novel and a huge fan of Del Toro’s work—specifically Crimson Peak and The Shape of Water. While this film is interesting and thought-provoking, it feels like a "glorious disappointment" that lacks the teeth of a true nightmare.

View Full Review on Letterboxd