An unexpected movie review
Last night my wife and I watched the latest installment of the Benoit Blanc chronicles, otherwise known as Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery by Rian Johnson.
We really enjoyed the previous two films, and were excited to dive into the next installment featuring Daniel Craig as an over the top detective.
What I wasn't expecting was a deep exposition into the tenets of faith, belief, and cult-like figures misappropriating the religion of others and using it to their own ends.
This film was a masterpiece in that regard.
I can't recommend it if you're not into those kinds of movies—there's a lot of violence and profanity and it's not a clean two hour watch time. But the underlying message came through and has been in my mind ever since.
In the film (spoilers ahead), the protagonist is a Catholic priest sent to a new parish to support the flock of believers, but as an understudy to the lead priest1.
That lead priest, played perfectly by Josh Brolin, is everything you wouldn't want to see in a human, let alone someone professing to lead God's children. He's a misogynistic, homophobic, xenophobic, racist, conspiracy theorist—and by the end of the movie there's a real chance that he could take his platform mainstream, beyond the borders of his small local church.
The film contrasts that with the character of Jud Duplenticy as priest, played by Josh O'Connor. Jud's role was embodied perfectly by the actor, and written by someone who truly understands the tenets and struggle of faith. I felt myself resonating with his character as the movie progressed. He is trying to serve in his position as a follower of Christ, supporting the members of the church, while wrestling against the power hold Monsignor Jefferson Wicks.
As things heat up he attempts to raise fists against Wicks, going back to his human roots as a boxer—with the potential of violence begetting violence. But he doesn't. He pauses, thinks of the Christ he professes to follow, and ultimately withdraws from that desire for power.
At the height of the mystery, when he's on the cusp of solving who killed Wicks (to keep himself out of jail for the murder), he pauses everything to spend time with a woman who needs Jesus. This moment changes him. He remembers why he got into ministry, and that ultimately it's not his job to solve the problems of the world, but to represent Christ and love on His children.
And, because it's a movie, Wicks's killers uncovered, and Jud is ultimately able to lead the flock in a Christ-centered direction.
This tension, this struggle of faith over force, love over violence, is an evergreen topic. I don't think, given eternity, that we'll ever plumb the depths of Christ's love and what it means for us as His children.
I didn't expect this film to provide a reflection of my own faith, but it walked the line perfectly; exemplifying the struggle I feel as a follower of Christ.
I didn't view Wake Up Dead Man as an attack on Christianity, but rather a full fronted review of the false version of religion that people of power have used to abuse their position for their own gain.
The version of Christianity the film attacks isn't what I profess. Rather it's the false religion that I want no part in. I was so happy to see that, though Jud can't prove his faith, the film respects his belief, and rewards his heart with opportunity to share the love of Christ with others.
Benoit Blanc isn't a believer, but he's not offended by the belief of Jud.
And that, I think, is the opportunity each of us have—those who profess belief. By living the life that we believe Christ shared, we each have a tiny opportunity to make the world a bit more loving, a bit more kind, and take those moments to just be a listening ear for someone in need.
- Apologies to my Catholic readers. I'm not as familiar with there terms in Catholicism, so might get some of the details wrong.