Ranking Every Actor's Performance in Knives Out 3
From Daniel Craig's restrained detective work to Josh O'Connor's career-defining turn as a priest, we break down how each star measures up in the latest whodunit mystery.
The third installment in Rian Johnson's beloved mystery series brings together an impressive ensemble cast for what might be the franchise's final chapter. With Daniel Craig returning as the sharp-witted Detective Benoit Blanc, the film assembles a stellar group of performers including Josh Brolin, Andrew Scott, Jeremy Renner, and Cailee Spaeny in a gothic murder mystery set within religious walls.
The Supporting Players
At the bottom of our rankings sits Thomas Haden Church, whose gardener character Samson Holt provides the film's eerie folk horror atmosphere. Despite limited dialogue scenes, Church creates an effectively mysterious presence lurking in the background of wide shots, though his stoic nature prevents him from joining the explosive confrontations that define other characters.
Kerry Washington delivers a solid but underutilized performance as lawyer Vera Draven. While she showcases her range in one powerful argument scene with her stepson, early reviews noted that such a talented actress deserved more substantial material to work with.
Mila Kunis brings star power as Chief Geraldine Scott, the local police chief who develops skeptical chemistry with Craig's detective. Her modern energy and fast-talking delivery clash somewhat with the film's atmospheric tone, though her meta-humor moments provide genuine laughs.
The Middle Tier
Cailee Spaeny portrays Simone Vivane as the vulnerable heart among the suspects. Her character's physical limitations add clever layers to the locked-room mystery, and Johnson uses this element brilliantly in a mid-film set piece. However, like several others, she gets somewhat lost within the large ensemble cast.
Andrew Scott, known for his electrifying Moriarty in BBC's Sherlock, plays a washed-up science fiction writer who serves as walking satire of internet outrage culture. While his social commentary provides some of the script's funniest lines, the talented actor feels underutilized compared to his usual commanding screen presence.
Jeremy Renner takes a quieter approach as a devastated, alcoholic doctor. His most effective moment comes in a silent morgue scene that feels grounded and different from his Marvel superhero work. The character is intentionally underwritten as a red herring, giving Renner fewer opportunities for dramatic fireworks.
The Top Performers
Josh Brolin commands attention despite limited screen time, mostly appearing in flashbacks as the murder victim Monsignor Jefferson Wicks. His magnetic, terrifying sermons create the perfect despicable victim that makes audiences root for nearly every suspect. Though fans wished for more present-day interactions, Brolin makes every moment count.
Glenn Close devours her role as Martha Delacroix, the devoted yet slightly frightening church assistant. Her frantic, hysterical confession scene manages to be simultaneously darkly comedic and heartbreaking. She's the only suspect who truly matches Daniel Craig's screen presence, though her character takes time to build momentum in the first act.
Daniel Craig delivers a more restrained version of Benoit Blanc compared to previous films, not appearing until the first act concludes. His buddy-cop dynamic with Josh O'Connor provides the series' most emotionally weighted moments, particularly in scenes exploring faith versus logic. While still excellent, this iteration feels slightly more serious than his earlier outings.
Josh O'Connor claims the top spot with his career-best performance as Father Jud Duplenticy, the former boxer turned priest who serves as protagonist for the opening 45 minutes. His ability to seamlessly shift between frantic panic and quiet, soulful prayer creates the franchise's most human character to date. The good cop/bad cop dynamic he shares with Craig builds the story's foundation while exploring themes of good versus evil.