Director: Eli Roth

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Lorenza Izzo, Ana de Armas, Ignacia Allamand, Aaron Burns, Colleen Camp

Rating: 18

Running Time: 99 mins

Release Date: June 27th, 2015

Never one to shy away from visceral horror, Eli Roth was at the forefront of the ‘Torture Porn’ genre back in the mid 2000s, when cinema had an influx of SAW or HOSTEL clones, all looking to show us the nastiest ways possible to die. Roth had made a name for himself with the equally grotesque but popular CABIN FEVER and HOSTEL, both films that are enjoyable in their own right and had become a calling card for Roth’s brand of cinematic nastiness. Lately, Roth has been quiet, focusing more on producing and taking bit parts in films. While his other latest film, the impressive looking THE GREEN INFERNO sits on the shelf, tied up in distributor woes, KNOCK KNOCK will have to quench the thirst of those eager to see Roth afflict hell on unsuspecting people. Except, KNOCK KNOCK is so much more than that and proves an interesting and exciting departure for the director.

Keanu Reeves is perfect as Evan, a loving husband and father who stays at home for the weekend while his two kids and wife travel up to the beach. On a particularly rainy night, there’s a knock at the door and there stands Lorenza Izzo and Ana de Armas, soaked from head to toe from the rain, innocently sneezing and shivering from the cold. They’re lost and Evan offers them to come in while he calls them a taxi.

The slow escalation of events are perfectly controlled here, the girls are clever to innocently settle into his house, becoming familiar with his rooms and pet dog. They flirt with Evan, placing their hands all over him and talking suggestively. Evan is flattered and obviously attracted to them, but Reeves peppers his performance with enough second glances and hurried movements that we know that Evan is uncomfortable here. It’s like a game of musical chairs, Evan tries to move away from the girls, they just follow him anyway and surround him. They’re relentless.

So naturally, when the inevitable happens and Evan has sex with both of them, you’re still on his side. Roth and Reeves have given Evan enough warmth and character thus far that you want him to do the right thing and just get away from these slightly sinister girls. Here is when the real fun sets in. The girls decide to punish Evan for being unfaithful and set out to teach him a lesson.

Izzo and Armas are suitably impressive here and at their best when their characters pretend to be sane, particularly the morning after Evans extramarital indulgence and a morning breakfast showcases both girls ability to go from cute to psycho in minutes. Most of the torture that befalls Evan is mostly psychological, the screenwriters; Roth, Guillermo Amoedo and Nicolas Lopez let the girls loose on the things that really matter in his life; his house, his family and his own affirmation that he is a good father/husband. There’s a wonderful scene where Evan calls the girls out on everything they’re doing, allowing Reeves to let loose and go on a tirade of anger but also posing the question at the center of the film; the girls believe that humans are hardwired to cheat and that no man is capable of saying no, so when presented with the scenario that Evan finds himself in, can a man really say no? If they don’t, does one bad mistake make them a horrible human being?

Sure, the premise sounds bleak but the film is darkly funny, especially an ending which manages to be both horrific and still get in two good punchlines. The film winks and nudges at you, taking you on a crazy ride through Evans punishment. It’s exciting to see Roth restrain himself and realise that he doesn’t have to press all the buttons to really scare his audience.

Verdict

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