Rian Johnson’s “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” has been selected as the opening-night gala presentation for the 69th BFI London Film Festival, marking its international premiere on 8 October. The screening will be held at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall and broadcast simultaneously to partner cinemas across the United Kingdom. The festival itself runs from 8 to 19 October. Daniel Craig returns as private detective Benoit Blanc in the third instalment of Johnson’s whodunit franchise, joined by Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis and other ensemble players. Johnson, who produces the picture through his T-Street banner with Ram Bergman, said, “We’re honored to be opening the BFI London Film Festival… it’s a thrill to be back,” noting the series’ previous ties to the event—“Knives Out” screened in 2019 and “Glass Onion” closed the festival in 2022. The film will debut worldwide on Netflix on 12 December 2025 following its festival run. The BFI will unveil the remainder of this year’s programme on 3 September.