When Rian Johnson announced a third Knives Out film, the buzz was instant. But at TIFF 2025, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery isn’t just another star-studded puzzle — it’s a gothic murder mystery that puts questions of faith, family, and power right at the center.

And who’s holding the BCC spotlight? Kerry Washington as Vera Draven and Daryl McCormack as Cy Draven.

Washington — an icon we know from Scandal and Little Fires Everywhere — steps into a role that feels both sharp and layered. She brings the weight of history and the complexity of faith into a story that could have easily been all spectacle.

Next to her, McCormack (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande) continues his rise as Cy Draven, carrying the role with a mix of loyalty, conflict, and raw presence. Together, the Dravens feel like the heartbeat of this film.

Of course, Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc is back with his southern charm, alongside Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Andrew Scott, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis, Cailee Spaeny, Thomas Haden Church, and Josh O’Connor. But for us? It’s Kerry and Daryl pulling the threads.

Why Black Canadian Creators Should Care:

Representation at this scale matters. Seeing Kerry Washington headline a Knives Out movie reminds us that Black actors can — and should — be leading in global franchises, not just niche spaces.

For Black Canadian creators, TIFF is home turf. This is our backyard, our stage. Watching Washington and McCormack carry this mystery here in Toronto is both inspiring and a challenge: if our city can host these global stories, why aren’t more Black Canadian actors, writers, and directors being given the same spotlight here?

Covering Wake Up Dead Man lets us celebrate the wins while also naming the gaps — because Black Canadian stories deserve to stand just as tall.

Red Carpet Moments Captured

Black Canadian Creators was live on the ground at TIFF50, capturing the energy and elegance of the Wake Up Dead Man red carpet. Photographer Tye Rashad (@tyerashad) brought our community’s lens to the festival — documenting Kerry Washington, Daryl McCormack, and the star-studded cast in Toronto.

📸 Want to relive those red carpet moments? Scroll through the full gallery right here:

Where to Catch It at TIFF

You can catch Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery at these TIFF 2025 screenings:

• World Premiere: Saturday, September 6 at 6:00 PM — Princess of Wales Theatre
• Morning Screening: Sunday, September 7 at 8:30 AM — TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 1 (with live-captioned onstage components)
• Accessibility Screening: Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00 PM — TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 4 (with open captions)

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery 2025 ‧ Mystery/Crime ‧ 2h 21m, is scheduled for a theatrical release on November 26, 2025, followed by a Netflix debut on December 12, 2025.

Tags: tiff 2025, knives out, wake up dead man, kerry washington, daryl mccormack, black canadian creators, film coverage, movie premiere, gothic mystery, daniel craig, red carpet, tye rashad