Murder is in the air over at Netflix, and no one is safe — not even stars like Glenn Close and Gwyneth Paltrow.
At least, that’s what’s in store if you stream one or all of Watch With Us’ Netflix movie selections for the weekend.
Chances are, you’ll probably watch Wake Up Dead Man even without my encouragement — it is, after all, the third and latest entry in the beloved Knives Out series.
If that doesn’t satisfy your murder mystery needs, I recommend watching The Talented Mr. Ripley. And if you crave something completely different, you can’t go wrong with the campy musical, Burlesque.
‘Wake Up Dead Man’ (2025)
Everyone knows who Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin) is — he’s the controversial monsignor at an upstate New York church who likes the sound of his own voice. He’s not liked by all, and that becomes even more apparent when he turns up dead. But who hated him enough to commit the most egregious sin of all? Everyone thinks Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’ Connor) killed him because he had the motive and opportunity, but he claims he’s innocent. It’s a baffling mystery, one that can only be solved by one person: world-famous detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig).
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That’s the intriguing set-up for Wake Up Dead Man, the third entry in director Rian Johnson’s massively successful Knives Out franchise. Among the many suspects are Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close), Jefferson’s devout assistant; Lee Ross (Andrew Scott), a novelist with a bad case of writer’s block; and Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), the local doctor with something to hide. Any one of the aforementioned could’ve done the dirty deed, and it’s a testament to the movie’s cleverness that it keeps you guessing until the very end. The only flaw of the movie is that after you watch it, you’ll get depressed when you realize you’ll have to wait a few more years for the next installment.
Wake Up Dead Man is streaming on Netflix.
‘Burlesque’ (2010)
“Wagon wheel watusi!” With those three words, Burlesque became a modern camp classic. It helped that it’s Cher who delivered them. She costars as Tess, the wonder of a struggling L.A. burlesque nightclub. Salvation arrives in the form of Ali (Christina Aguilera), a fresh-faced Midwest transplant who doesn’t know a lot but has a powerhouse voice. Tess begrudgingly but wisely makes her the star of the show, and the nightclub is flush with new patrons and lots of cash. But the good times don’t last as Ali has to fend off a jealous rival, Natalie (Kristen Bell), while Tess considers selling the club to a shady real estate developer, Marcus (Eric Dane).
Is Burlesque in bad taste? Yes, yes it is. But is it bad? Not exactly. It’s well done for what it is — a superficial showcase for its two lead stars, with some room for a talented supporting cast that includes Stanley Tucci, Peter Gallagher and Alan Cumming. Aguilera isn’t much of an actress, but she’s a helluva performer, and her song-and-dance numbers are impressive. As Tess, Cher is, well, Cher — funny and sarcastic, imposing yet vulnerable, she’s the movie’s smirking spirit. She proves yet again that there has never been — and never will be— anyone quite like Cher.
Burlesque is streaming on Netflix.
‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ (1999)
Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) is everyone’s friend — pleasant to look at, always of use and never offensive. But there’s something off about him — he’s a little too helpful and a little too needy, especially with Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law), a spoiled American heir on permanent vacation in Italy with his beautiful girlfriend, Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow). When Dickie disappears one afternoon, Marge can’t help but suspect Tom has something to do with it. But how is that possible? No one loved Dickie more than Tom, and even if he’s a little weird, that doesn’t make him a bad guy, right?
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Those who know, know, but for the uninitiated, I don’t dare reveal the answer to that question or just why Tom Ripley is so talented to begin with. Instead, I’ll merely instruct you to start watching this stunningly beautiful thriller and soak in its sunny Italian visuals, its cast of impossibly gorgeous actors like Damon, Law, Paltrow and Cate Blanchett at the height of their youthful beauty and its urgent and rhapsodic score by Oscar winner Gabriel Yared. Beautiful and haunting, The Talented Mr. Ripley is one of the best thrillers made in the ‘90s, and one movie that will make you think twice about your loyal best friend.
The Talented Mr. Ripley is streaming on Netflix.