With John Wick he reminded everyone he’s a convincing action lead, post- Matrix, but this is a real backslide as he struggles to find the camp, lurid tone Roth’s aiming for. It’s a shame, then, to see that Reeves isn’t up to the task.
Such a role requires more emotional range than we’re used to seeing from him, as he’s presented as a devoted husband, loving father, and talented professional (not only an architect, but an erstwhile D.J). It also doesn’t help that taciturn Reeves is woefully miscast here. To them, this is all a game a viewpoint that should come off as unnerving, but feels more silly than anything. De Armas and Izzo are easily the best thing about Knock Knock, bouncing around the house like destructive forces of nature with perfect comic timing, but the film does nothing to suggest they’re anything other than sociopaths. Even as they throw accusations at Evan - both about his wealth and how easy it is to make any man cheat - it never feels like the film has any interest in fully exploring those ideas. Bel and Genesis may have sinister plans for Evan, but the film doesn’t do much to convey exactly why they’re doing this. Roth and his co-writers Guillermo Amoedo and Nicolás López concoct something that’s endlessly provocative, yet completely pointless. While Knock Knock is shocking, it’s not a particularly sophisticated piece of work. However, it’s not until the next morning (and after certain vows have been forgotten) that the sick joke really begins to unravel… and the spunky duo begin playing disturbing mind-games with their married host. Soon enough their intentions to bombard him with outrageously sexual stories and unsubtle seduction (their clothes are wet, so of course they have to throw them in the dryer) become all too clear. Nice guy that he is, Evan of course lets them in. That night, Bel (Ana De Armas) and Genesis (Lorenza Izzo) turn up on his doorstep in need of help.
(It seems nonsensical, but the film suggests he’s got a lot of work to finish and needs peace and quiet). It’s Father’s Day, and he’s home alone as his wife and kids go holidaying to the beach.
You can guess what tempts him about his beautiful unexpected visitors you can’t guess just how twisted and perverse it all gets.Įvan’s an architect married to an artist, with two children. Set in Los Angeles, the plot has family man Evan (Keanu Reeves) welcoming two drenched party-going girls into his home during a thunderstorm, so they can call a taxi and dry off. With Knock Knock, director Eli Roth ( Hostel, Cabin Fever) progresses from “torture porn” to psychological torture, but with a premise straight out of porn.