Daniel Craig’s deadpan delivery of “Scooby-dooby-doo” in ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ is the best line read of 2025

Daniel Craig somberly saying “Scooby-dooby-doo” in his Benoit Blanc voice is not something I ever knew I needed in my life. But after hearing him do just that in Wake Up Dead Man—the third Knives Out movie, which began streaming on Netflix today—I now know I could never live without it.

This third film in the Knives Out murder mystery franchise is once again written and directed by Rian Johnson, and stars Daniel Craig as the brilliant but silly private detective, Benoit Blanc. This time around, Blanc is investigating an “impossible crime” in a small New England town, where a local priest (Josh Brolin) was murdered. The prime suspect? The young, new, (hot?) priest in town, Rev. Jud, played by Josh O’Connor. But Rev. Jud is innocent, and Benoit is determined to find the real killer.

Benoit has always been a beloved character, ever since Craig first debuted that cartoonish, Froghorn Leghorn-esque southern accent back in 2019’s Knives Out. Every line read in Benoit’s voice is a treat for the ears, but some highlights over the years include “It makes no damn sense! Compels me, though,” from the first film, and “No! It’s just dumb!” from the second.

Now, in Knives Out 3, Benoit has blessed us with a new delightful ear worm: “Scooby-dooby-doo.”

The context leading up to this line is simple: Benoit Blanc, now sporting a new long-hair look, is investigating the priest’s murder alongside the cop assigned to the case, played by Mila Kunis. Given that the title of this film is Wake Up Dead Man, I don’t think it’s a spoiler to tell you that there is a moment when someone thought to be dead appears to come back to life. Mila Kunis comments that this case is turning into “some real Scooby-Doo shit,” complete with ghosts.

Benoit, while ruminating on the puzzle of how a corpse exited its coffin and stone tomb, replies to Kunis’s comment with a simple, grave “Scooby-dooby-doo.”

Most people uttering the famed catchphrase of this cartoon dog would do so with gusto. It’s the sort of phrase that you shout in a high-pitch voice, or, if you’re really feeling it, maybe in the low, raspy style of the kooky canine himself. Either way, you’d definitely say it with an exclamation point in your voice.

That’s why Benoit’s flat, serious delivery is so hysterical. Wake Up Dead Man takes on a darker, more realistic tone than the first two films, but Johnson still finds room for comedy. The “Scooby-dooby-doo” joke is by far my favorite, both because of Craig’s flawless deadpan delivery, and because it’s such an unexpected moment of pure silliness in the midst of a more serious film.

Also, this joke implies that Benoit has watched at least one episode of Scooby-Doo, or perhaps the 2002 comedy starring Matthew Lillard. (You know Benoit is Team Lillard!) Perhaps he and Hugh Grant saw that one in theaters together. Benoit Blanc, I see you, and I know you’ve got some work to do now.