Article Key Points
Knock Knock, starring Keanu Reeves and Ana De Armas, is a panned home-invasion thriller with a chaotic story and lackluster performances.
The film has received widespread disapproval from both audiences and critics, earning a mere 19% score from the general audience on Rotten Tomatoes and 37% from critics. However, amidst the negative reception, Keanu Reeves found joy in the filming process and shared a memorable instance where his character earnestly pleads for his life.
Hollywood is filled with numerous popular stars, but two individuals who are adored universally are Keanu Reeves and Ana De Armas. Many people may wish for a movie featuring both of them, given their widespread appeal. However, it may come as a surprise to some that they have actually starred together in a movie before. In 2015, they appeared in the thriller film Knock Knock, which revolves around a home invasion.
This film might not be widely known, mainly due to its unfavorable reception from both critics and general audiences. The reason behind its obscurity lies in its disjointed and simplistic plot, performances that do not possess any extraordinary qualities, and a few peculiar twists. Ultimately, to form a proper opinion on Knock Knock, one must personally experience it.
What Is Knock Knock About?
Knock Knock | |
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Director | Eli Roth |
Writers | Eli Roth, Guillermo Amoedo, Nicolás López |
Cast | Keanu Reeves, Ana de Armas, Lorenza Izzo |
Release Dates | January 23, 2015 (Sundance) October 9, 2015 (United States) |
Runtime | 99 minutes |
Budget | $10 million |
Box Office | $6.3 million |
Knock Knock, despite being categorized as a home-invasion thriller, deviates from the conventional norm. Instead of portraying the typical scenario of fending off intruders, this tale explores the consequences of willingly permitting the wrong individuals into one's abode. Married man Evan Webber finds himself alone at home for the weekend, anticipating nothing more than a regular solitary Father's Day. However, his artist wife has taken their children on a beach weekend, and Evan is aware that he will have to confront some unexpected visitors in relation to one of his wife's sculptures.
To Evan’s surprise, his door is unexpectedly visited by Genesis and Bel, two young women who find themselves in the midst of a torrential rainstorm. Claiming to have been searching for a party, they seek temporary refuge in Evan's home while they determine their next destination. As events unfold, an air of peculiarity gradually permeates the atmosphere, culminating in the mysterious disappearance of the two girls, leaving behind fragments of their attire as evidence. Ultimately, Evan manages to locate the women, who proceed to entice him into a moment of passion involving all three individuals. However, this encounter marks the beginning of a complex situation. The girls exhibit destructive behavior within Evan's house, even vandalizing his wife's precious sculpture, all the while revealing a shocking revelation to Evan – both of them are actually underage.
Knock Knock is available to buy or rent on Prime Video
The emotional torment inflicted upon Evan by the women takes on nightmarish dimensions, as they subject him to a series of horrifying situations. Their threats to call his family force him into a corner, compelling Evan to summon the courage to fight back. Overwhelmed by the two girls' relentless assault, Evan finds himself bound to a chair when one of his wife's colleagues unexpectedly arrives to collect her sculpture. Initially, it seems as if this man will provide assistance, but tragically, he accidentally strikes his head and meets a fatal end. Adding to the twisted web of events, the girls frame Evan for the man's death, ensuring that he will suffer consequences long after they have vanished from his life. In a desperate bid for freedom, Evan makes another escape attempt, only to find himself held at gunpoint. It is then he discovers the diabolical intentions of the two women—to end his life at dawn the following day.
What Is Knock Knock’s Rotten Tomatoes Score?
Regrettably, both fans and critics have expressed strong disdain for Knock Knock. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has garnered a mere 19% approval rating from the general audience, solidly placing it in the realm of negative reviews. The primary grievance voiced by the general audience pertains to the inadequacy of the storyline, despite the film's visually appealing elements. Serving as a reimagining of the 1970s movie Death Game, many viewers who anticipated a similar experience with Knock Knock assert that sticking to the original would have been preferable. Furthermore, it is disheartening when a thriller is criticized for having a lackluster conclusion that ultimately fizzles out.
The film has received a slightly higher rating of 37% from critics. However, many of these critics share the general audience's opinion that the film is quite dull. This is despite the praise for the film's solid and intriguing opening, indicating that the plot failed to captivate a significant portion of viewers. Despite the critics' lack of enjoyment, Keanu Reeves expressed his enthusiasm for the film. In an interview with Collider, he discussed the fun he had and the memorable moments he experienced, such as a particular scene where his character, Evan, believes he is about to be killed and pleads for his life. Reeves found shooting this scene to be enjoyable, especially the opportunity to redo it at his request.
How Does Knock Knock End?
As the new day breaks, Evan finds himself trapped in a desperate situation. Helpless and bound, he is confined to a pit in the ground at the mercy of his captors - a group of women. The tension escalates as they threaten Evan's life and narrowly miss him with a large stone. However, their true motive soon comes to light. The entire night was nothing more than a twisted game for these women, who deceived Evan about their age and took pleasure in playing with married men.
Relieved that his life is not at immediate risk, Evan's relief is short-lived. The women inflict further harm by showing him a sexually explicit video they recorded, which they then uploaded onto the internet. With their cruel game finally over, they abandon Evan in his pit, leaving him to ponder the consequences of his choices. As "Knock Knock" reaches its conclusion, Evan's wife and children arrive home to discover the wreckage, completely unaware of the horrors their loved one has endured.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the movie "Knock Knock." On the one hand, I appreciate the film's unique take on the home-invasion thriller genre. The movie explores the consequences of willingly permitting the wrong individuals into one's abode, which is a refreshing change from the typical scenario of fending off intruders. The film's performances are lackluster, and the plot is chaotic and simplistic.
Overall, I would not recommend "Knock Knock" to other Gen Z netizens. There are many better home-invasion thrillers out there that are worth watching.