Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Father Jud was transferred to Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude in Chimney Rock after he punched a rude deacon at his previous church. Although some congregation members supported his actions as righteous, church authorities decided to remove him to avoid a scandal and shipped him to the small-town parish.

• father jud
• chimmer rock
• deacon
• transferred
• boxer turned preacher

Eve's Apple is a valuable diamond that was hidden in a family heirloom box. The diamond was originally buried with Grace Wicks' estate and later revealed to be concealed inside the chest of a Christ statue, making it the central treasure that motivated multiple murders and betrayals throughout the story.

• eve's apple
• diamond
• grace wicks
• statue
• treasure
• box

Nat Sharp was the actual killer of Monsignor Wicks, though Martha Delacroix confessed to the crime. Nat spiked Wicks' drink with pentobarbital, planted a sword-like device in his back, and used a squib to simulate a supernatural return. His body was later dissolved in an acid tub in Nat's basement.

• nat sharp
• monsignor wicks
• killer
• murder
• killed
• confession

Nat Sharp killed Wicks by first spiking his drink with pentobarbital to incapacitate him. While Wicks was in the pulpit room, Nat planted a ceremonial knife with a devil's head into his back. He then used a squib (small explosive) to create a dramatic effect that made it appear Wicks had returned from the dead, adding to the supernatural mystery.

• nat sharp
• pentobarbital
• knife
• weapon
• staged
• supernatural

Father Jud became the prime suspect because Martha Delacroix immediately accused him of the murder after discovering Wicks' body. Additionally, Jud had been in conflict with Wicks, confronting him about manipulating people, and he had hidden a flask from the flock which raised questions about his honesty and possible motive.

• father jud
• suspected
• flask
• martha accusation
• prime suspect

After Nat Sharp killed Wicks, he disposed of the body in his basement by dissolving it in a tub of acid. The arms were burned and the body was completely dissolved as part of Nat's attempt to cover up the murder and create confusion about what actually happened.

• wicks body
• acid
• basement
• nat sharp
• dissolved
• disposed

Martha Delacroix orchestrated Wicks' murder because she harbored a long-standing grudge against Grace Wicks (Monsignor Wicks' mother), whom she blamed for ruining her life. She also wanted to seize control of the church and the valuable diamond (Eve's Apple) for herself. She worked with Nat and Samson Holt to make Wicks' death appear as part of a failed resurrection plot.

• martha delacroix
• grace wicks
• grudge
• diamond
• control
• orchestrated

Jud confronted Wicks about his manipulative behavior, specifically how he exploited vulnerable church members like Simone for his own gain. The confrontation became physical when Wicks struck Jud, and Jud declared he would 'cut Wicks out like a cancer.' This confrontation was secretly recorded by Cy and became crucial evidence.

• jud
• wicks
• confrontation
• conflict
• manipulate
• physically struck

Cy Draven recorded the flock's private Palm Sunday meeting with Wicks, which captured tensions and the confrontation between Jud and Wicks. He threatened to release the video unless the others cooperated with him, using it as leverage to potentially expose the church's secrets and possibly gain an inheritance.

• cy draven
• video
• palm sunday
• recording
• threaten
• release

At the end of the movie, Eve's Apple (the diamond) remains hidden inside the chest of a Christ statue. This secret is known only to Father Jud, who reopens the church as Our Lady of Perpetual Grace. The diamond stays concealed as a reminder of the church's darkest chapter.

• eve's apple
• diamond
• christ statue
• hidden
• ending
• jud

Nat Sharp was manipulated by Martha Delacroix and Samson Holt, who orchestrated a supposed resurrection scheme to discredit the flock and help Wicks gain political power. Nat was used as the actual killer, but he and Samson also killed each other in the process, Nat was later found dissolved in his own acid tub, while Samson was apparently killed by Nat as part of the cover-up.

• nat sharp
• samson holt
• manipulated
• resurrection
• political scheme
• cover up

Grace Wicks was Monsignor Wicks' mother, known in town as 'The Harlot Whore' due to her lifestyle that conflicted with the church's values. When her father Rev. Prentice Wicks died, she inherited the estate containing the mysterious 'Eve's Apple' box with a Christ figurine. She died violently at her father's tomb, and her death and legacy became central to the mystery of the diamond.

• grace wicks
• harlot whore
• inheritance
• father tomb
• christ figurine
• legacy

Martha Delacroix finally confessed because the weight of her guilt became overwhelming. She revealed that she had orchestrated the murders with Nat and Samson to fuel Wicks' political rise while also seeking revenge against Grace. When Blanc and Geraldine confronted her with the evidence, she broke down and admitted her crimes, allowing the diamond to fall from her grasp as she collapsed.

• martha confession
• guilt
• diamond
• collapse
• reveal
• orchestrated

The Eve's Apple box appeared empty of value because the real treasure was never in the box itself. The diamond was actually hidden inside the chest of a Christ statue, making the box a decoy. This misdirection was part of the family's secret, and only Martha knew the diamond's true location until she revealed it during her confession.

• empty box
• decoy
• christ statue
• hidden location
• treasure
• misdirection