Ranking Every Knives Out Movie by Their Jaw-Dropping Final Acts
Rian Johnson’s Knives Out trilogy is all about the big reveals and emotional payoffs in the final act. From Benoit Blanc’s sharp mind to the series’ unforgettable twists, each film’s ending sets it apart. Discover how each movie’s third act stacks up in this in-depth ranking.
Rian Johnson’s trio of whodunits has redefined the modern mystery, with each film ’s final act serving as the true heart of the story. Benoit Blanc, the Southern sleuth with a razor-sharp intellect and a calm, collected presence, anchors every installment. Each movie stands alone, with a fresh cast, a new setting, and a plot that pays homage to the likes of Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle. But it ’s the last stretch—where secrets unravel and motives come to light—that truly sets these films apart.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025 )
The latest entry, Wake Up Dead Man, takes a bold turn for the franchise. The film holds back on introducing Blanc until nearly half an hour in, building tension before his arrival brings a much-needed sense of relief and humor. The story centers on Father Jud Duplenticy, a troubled priest played by Josh O’Connor, who finds himself under suspicion after a heated confrontation with the stern Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, portrayed by Josh Brolin, ends in Wicks’s death.
As the investigation unfolds, the secrets of the church and its congregation come to the surface. The real mastermind is revealed to be Martha Delacroix, Jefferson’s longtime assistant. After Jud pushes Martha to confess the truth about a legendary jewel called Eve’s Apple, Martha’s actions set off a chain of events that lead to murder and deception, all in the name of protecting the church. With help from Dr. Nat Sharp, she crafts an elaborate scheme, but for the first time in the series, the culprits confess rather than being exposed by Blanc. This shift, along with the film’s focus on religious power, gives the ending a heavier emotional punch, though it trades some of the franchise’s signature thrill for a more subdued finale.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
Glass Onion shakes up the formula with a major twist halfway through, forcing viewers to rethink everything they thought they knew. Benoit Blanc is invited to a lavish island retreat by tech mogul Miles Bron, played by Edward Norton, who gathers his wealthy friends for a weekend getaway. Among them is a former friend-turned-rival, played by Janelle Monáe, whose presence hides deeper secrets.
When Monáe’s character, Helen/Andi, is shot during the party, a conveniently placed journal saves her life. Blanc seizes the moment to fake her death and gather the group for a dramatic reveal. He uncovers that Miles orchestrated Andi’s murder to cover up the fact that he built his empire on her idea. The film’s commentary on the digital age and Monáe’s dual performance add layers to the story, but the lack of sympathetic suspects makes the mystery less tense, allowing viewers to focus on the unraveling truth rather than picking sides.
Knives Out (2019)
The original film remains the gold standard, delivering a tightly woven plot, sharp humor, and a finale that’s both clever and deeply satisfying. The story follows private investigator Benoit Blanc as he looks into the apparent suicide of famed novelist Harlan Thrombey. The emotional core is Harlan’s nurse, Marta Cabrera, who believes she’s responsible for his death after a medication mix-up.
Through a series of flashbacks and revelations, Blanc uncovers that Harlan’s grandson, Ransom, masterminded the entire plot after being cut out of the will. By manipulating events and switching medications, Ransom tries to frame Marta. The final act’s smart twists and airtight logic set a high bar for the franchise, establishing a blueprint that blends modern mystery with a star-studded ensemble. The film also shifts the focus from simply finding the killer to exploring how an innocent person navigates a web of danger, a theme that carries through the entire trilogy.