Netflix Bets a Colossal $210M on a Crime Thriller Starring Daniel Craig, Release Date, Plot and All About It

Published 08/24/2025, 1:53 PM EDT

In a bold move that signals its enduring appetite for high-stakes storytelling, Netflix is diving deep into the world of suspense and intrigue. With a narrative promising twists, deception, and heart-pounding tension, the streaming giant is set to redefine the crime thriller landscape like never before. And at the center of this gripping saga is none other than Daniel Craig. With the production cost for the title soaring to $210 million, the endeavor naturally has left fans wondering about its moniker, additional ensemble, plot, and more.

Which film marks Daniel Craig’s next high-stakes thriller? Should viewers expect a powerhouse lineup alongside him?

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The Daniel Craig movie in question is Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, making it the third installment in the iconic Knives Out franchise. With the aforementioned ballooned budget, first revealed by Jeff Sneider, it is reportedly set to become the world’s most expensive murder mystery film. The ex-Bond headlines the venture, while the likes of Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, and more join him as the additional ensemble, ensuring a gripping high-stakes outing.

Back to the budget of Wake Up Dead Man, the movie is reportedly five times more expensive than its previous two installments, which came out in 2019 and 2022, respectively. Both Knives Out and its sequel, Glass Onion, were made at a $40 million cost each. The sharp leap in spending highlights Netflix’s determination to make this installment the most ambitious. That, however, cannot be achieved by money alone; the plot of the film will also play a significant role in it.

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Benoit Blanc faces his most perplexing and dangerous case yet, with a crime unfolding perhaps with a biblical twist.

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Very little has been revealed about the mystery at the heart of Wake Up Dead Man; however, intriguing clues come from the title itself, which, like its predecessor, derives from a rock song. The U2 track from 1997 carries both biblical and apocalyptic undertones. Furthermore, Daniel Craig’s voiceover in the project’s announcement video is laden with scripting phrases such as “in the beginning” and “then behold,” suggesting a case steeped in religious symbolism, perhaps confronting messianic themes or a faith-driven enigma.

When does Wake Up Dead Man come out?

Netflix has officially announced that Wake Up Dead Man will hit screens on December 12, 2025, giving fans a concrete date to look forward to. Production of the movie is in full swing as of this writing, and, as can be drawn from the details listed above, nothing short of a well-crafted whodunnit experience is on its way.

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Slated for an end-of-the-year release, the film aims to capture the holiday audience and awards season alike. Ultimately, the movie is poised to turn the art of the murder mystery on its head, blending star power, epic stakes, and mind-bending twists into a spectacle audiences will not soon forget.

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Do you think Wake Up Dead Man will be able to justify its budget? Let us know in the comments. 

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Seema Sinha

268 articles

Seema Sinha is a journalist at Netflix Junkie, covering the celebrity culture and global cinema beats. With three years of experience at major Hollywood media verticals, she filters real news from the gossip and buzz. Her core focus is on pop culture narratives surrounding musicians—primarily Taylor Swift—with her reporting striking a fine balance between human insight and editorial clarity.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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