The Toronto International Film Festival has long been a stage where cinematic brilliance collides with audience anticipation, each year setting the tone for what defines the cultural conversation in media. Amid the glittering premieres and critical spotlights, few franchises carry the kind of weight that guarantees both intrigue and box office spark. This year, the title pushing the excitement to a fever pitch appears to be Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man, the latest Knives Out mystery, which instantly added shimmer to the festival in discussion with its debut.

Unveiled at TIFF on September 6, Wake Up Dead Man quickly turned into the festival’s defining moment, igniting X with a wave of cheering. Critics and fans alike called it the best installment in the Knives Out franchise, with reactions pouring in at lightning speed. From its razor-sharp script and gripping plot to the ensemble cast and Rian Johnson’s masterful direction, every element of the offering drew admiration, making social media buzz with unrelenting praise for the film's brilliance.

For those unversed, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery once again follows Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc, this time entangled in a chilling mystery set against a gothic backdrop filled with dark secrets and unexpected betrayals. The ensemble cast includes Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Andrew Scott, and more, each adding weight to the film’s layered narrative. Netflix is set to release the much-awaited mystery globally on December 12.

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Audiences clutched seats, whispered theories, and left grinning — TIFF watchers could not stop raving about Rian Johnson's latest whodunit masterpiece.

TIFF reaction poured in with unrestrained enthusiasm on X, with many calling Wake Up Dead Man the heaviest chapter in the Knives Out saga. Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc continues to shine, they added, while Josh O’Connor equally stole the show. Viewers praised Rian Johnson’s sharp critique and the substantial impact of the offering. Fans agreed the mystery feels "refreshingly different," cementing Johnson’s reputation as a master of the modern whodunit.

Praise for Rian Johnson continued, with audiences branding him as someone who has perfected the formula, highlighting his ability to balance depth and entertainment, with fans insisting they loved each minute of the film.

As the curtains fell on its TIFF debut, Wake Up Dead Man proved more than just another franchise entry; it felt like a party. With Netflix betting a colossal budget on the film, the gamble appears richly rewarded so far, as critics and fans alike left with the sense that they had witnessed something both daring and definitive. If this chapter is any indication, Benoit Blanc’s mysteries are destined to grace the cinematic realm for long, where audiences return not just for answers but for delight.

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Has the reaction for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery got you excited about the film too? Let us know in the comments.