The Good: When I first saw Knock Knock, I recognized it as being a very bad, if not fun and frankly, titillating movie. It was "so stupid," and ridiculous that I couldn't help but find enjoyment from it. I still think this is the case: this movie is both intentionally and unintentionally funny. It has some awful dialog and questionable performances. There are a ton of logical issues (more on this later) that take away from it.
And yet, Knock Knock is fun as heck. Eli Roth knows how to direct a movie and the entire opening is a masterclass of efficient (if awkward) storytelling. When Bel and Genesis (dumb names, I agree) show up, the entire sequence is so well done. I love how gradually Evan (Keanu) loosens up and begins to realize the seduction taking place. I'm going to say out loud what most heterosexual men watching this probably thought: Armas and Izzo are incredibly sexy and do a fantastic job. At the climax (hehe) of the scene, we get an explosion of sex and lust that's good enough to go toe to toe with erotic thrillers of years before.
Frankly, Armas and Izzo (whom I thought were awful the first time I saw this thing) were actually pretty excellent. You can't really tell what they're deal is and they come off as completely unhinged, if not particularly scary. And yes, I cannot deny there's a bit of a sexy eye candy and a point or two for the nudity. Whatever, I'm a dude.
I think as a man, this movie really does speak to us in a different way. This isn't a movie to watch with your girlfriend or wife next to you, because let's be honest, uncomfortable questions arise. And, I think the film does a good job with the sexual politics: is Evan truly "wrong" here? Could anyone really resist this "free pizza?" (I think the movie kind of reveals its position on the question with this scene and the ending, btw) If no man can resist a moment of weakness when faced with temptation, are there truly any good men out there? I like thought provoking movies, and while this one is about as subtle as a sledgehammer, it's something to think about.
I also want to highlight Keanu Reeves here. Let's be honest: he's not a good actor. He seems like a fantastic human being, but there isn't going to be a "get Keanu his Oscar" campaign anytime soon. And while he's quite bad in portions of this movie, when he's campy, it's FANTASTIC. The aformentioned "free pizza" rant is possibly the best performance he's ever done. The end scene is so visually strange and complemented by his manic performance, that it had me in tears. This movie isn't meant to be taken all that seriously and if you can enjoy it on that level, it works.
The Bad: That isn't to say I can't understand why people flat out HATE this movie (more on that later). There are A LOT of logical inconsistencies here and unrealistic moments. Why would Evan believe the two of them are minors? Seriously? Where is everyone in this neighbourhood? You're telling me he can't overpower these two 100 lb girls? Really?
And, as much as I praised Izzo and Armas before, I can't deny they're masterful actors in isolation. Them, in combination with Reeves, create some truly hilarious moments of bad acting. Eli Roth isn't known for great dialog either and um...yes, that criticism stands.
The Ugly: Knock Knock is fun. It's a guilty pleasure, for sure, but I don't think the hate it gets is warranted. I suspect a lot of people dislike Eli Roth, for one, and American audiences tend to be very sex negative. A movie that explores psychosexuality, the male lust for young women, the morality of "free pizza" etc. Is not going to be a mainstream film.
But, I'd say give it a chance and I'm sure you'll be entertained. Just...maybe give it a pre-watch yourself before watching it with anyone else.
And yet, Knock Knock is fun as heck. Eli Roth knows how to direct a movie and the entire opening is a masterclass of efficient (if awkward) storytelling. When Bel and Genesis (dumb names, I agree) show up, the entire sequence is so well done. I love how gradually Evan (Keanu) loosens up and begins to realize the seduction taking place. I'm going to say out loud what most heterosexual men watching this probably thought: Armas and Izzo are incredibly sexy and do a fantastic job. At the climax (hehe) of the scene, we get an explosion of sex and lust that's good enough to go toe to toe with erotic thrillers of years before.
Frankly, Armas and Izzo (whom I thought were awful the first time I saw this thing) were actually pretty excellent. You can't really tell what they're deal is and they come off as completely unhinged, if not particularly scary. And yes, I cannot deny there's a bit of a sexy eye candy and a point or two for the nudity. Whatever, I'm a dude.
I think as a man, this movie really does speak to us in a different way. This isn't a movie to watch with your girlfriend or wife next to you, because let's be honest, uncomfortable questions arise. And, I think the film does a good job with the sexual politics: is Evan truly "wrong" here? Could anyone really resist this "free pizza?" (I think the movie kind of reveals its position on the question with this scene and the ending, btw) If no man can resist a moment of weakness when faced with temptation, are there truly any good men out there? I like thought provoking movies, and while this one is about as subtle as a sledgehammer, it's something to think about.
I also want to highlight Keanu Reeves here. Let's be honest: he's not a good actor. He seems like a fantastic human being, but there isn't going to be a "get Keanu his Oscar" campaign anytime soon. And while he's quite bad in portions of this movie, when he's campy, it's FANTASTIC. The aformentioned "free pizza" rant is possibly the best performance he's ever done. The end scene is so visually strange and complemented by his manic performance, that it had me in tears. This movie isn't meant to be taken all that seriously and if you can enjoy it on that level, it works.
The Bad: That isn't to say I can't understand why people flat out HATE this movie (more on that later). There are A LOT of logical inconsistencies here and unrealistic moments. Why would Evan believe the two of them are minors? Seriously? Where is everyone in this neighbourhood? You're telling me he can't overpower these two 100 lb girls? Really?
And, as much as I praised Izzo and Armas before, I can't deny they're masterful actors in isolation. Them, in combination with Reeves, create some truly hilarious moments of bad acting. Eli Roth isn't known for great dialog either and um...yes, that criticism stands.
The Ugly: Knock Knock is fun. It's a guilty pleasure, for sure, but I don't think the hate it gets is warranted. I suspect a lot of people dislike Eli Roth, for one, and American audiences tend to be very sex negative. A movie that explores psychosexuality, the male lust for young women, the morality of "free pizza" etc. Is not going to be a mainstream film.
But, I'd say give it a chance and I'm sure you'll be entertained. Just...maybe give it a pre-watch yourself before watching it with anyone else.