Josh Brolin Credits Sobriety for His Role in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out 3

The actor calls Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery a turning point in his career and a testament to his growth as a performer.

Josh Brolin has revealed that Rian Johnson’s upcoming Knives Out sequel, Wake Up Dead Man, marked a pivotal moment in his career. In an interview with Variety, the veteran actor shared how the role pushed him to confront self-doubt and embrace new challenges, particularly as part of his sobriety journey.

“This script was on another level,” Brolin said. “When I read it, I thought, ‘Am I good enough for this? Can I authentically convey all these layers?’ That fear pushed me to prepare like never before. Without sobriety, I don’t think I could’ve delivered.”

Brolin’s personal struggles with alcohol, detailed in his memoir From Under the Truck, have informed his approach to acting in recent years. He explained how sobriety has unlocked a deeper connection to his craft. “It’s not that I wasn’t professional before,” he admitted. “But being sober has allowed me to find new levels in my performances and to live with greater purpose.”

The star-studded ensemble for the highly anticipated Netflix film includes Josh O’Connor, Kerry Washington, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, and Jeremy Renner, alongside Daniel Craig, who reprises his iconic role as detective Benoit Blanc.

The Knives Out franchise, launched in 2019, has redefined the murder mystery genre. Following the success of 2022’s Glass Onion, Johnson’s third installment continues his two-sequel deal with Netflix, reportedly worth $450 million. While the streaming giant has yet to confirm the release format for Wake Up Dead Man, Daniel Craig expressed hope for an extended theatrical run.

“Fans want the cinema experience,” Craig told Variety. “I hope Netflix gives them that.”

Set to premiere in 2025, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery promises to be another intricately woven whodunit, with Brolin’s transformative performance at its heart.