Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery ending explained: Identity of Jefferson Wicks' killer revealed

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is a standalone sequel to 2022’s Glass Onion and the third entry in the franchise. It’s written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Johnson along with Ram Bergman. The film was released on Netflix on December 12, 2025. Here’s the official synopsis as per Letterboxd:

When young priest Jud Duplenticy is sent to assist charismatic firebrand Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, it’s clear that all is not well in the pews. After a sudden and seemingly impossible murder rocks the town, the lack of an obvious suspect prompts local police chief Geraldine Scott to join forces with renowned detective Benoit Blanc to unravel a mystery that defies all logic.

Let's explore the film's ending.

What is the plot of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery?

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is about a Monsignor named Jefferson Wicks (played by Josh Brolin) who gets a new assistant priest named Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor). One day, Wicks is mysteriously murdered, and it prompts detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) and police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis) to investigate. While everyone believes that Jud did the k*lling, the two feel there’s more to this case.

How does Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery end?

Towards the end of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Blanc realizes that Wicks’ death was the result of a botched plan by Samson Holt, Nat Sharp, and Martha Delacroix. The story moves back to many decades earlier, when Wicks’ grandfather, Reverend Prentice Wicks, didn’t give his fortune to his daughter and Wicks’ mother, Grace. Prentice hid his wealth in one jewel and swallowed it before his demise. Martha knew about this for many years. When Wicks found out, he was planning to steal the jewel.

Subsequently, Martha plots to eliminate him by teaming up with her lover Holt, along with Nat. They poisoned Wicks and put fake blood on his body, which made it look like he was stabbed. Nat also stabbed him for real. Eventually, Nat and Martha dress Samson to look like Wicks and get him inside Prentice’s tomb to get the jewel.

They also plan to stage it as Wicks being resurrected from the dead. However, Jud sees them come out of the tomb. He then follows them into the forest, where he is knocked out by Nat, who then murders Samson. Martha then meets Nat and switches mugs, which results in his death. She then tries to make it appear as if a resurrected Wicks strangled Nat.

Blanc and Jud confront Martha, who confesses to the crime. She then drinks poison, as she is saddened by Samson’s death. In her last moment, she drops the jewel and dies in Jud’s arms. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery then takes a year-long jump, and Jud reopens the church. He has hidden the jewel inside a brand-new crucifix that he had built.