‘Knock Knock’ reminds fans: Don’t open door
Director Eli Roth sticks to lowbrow films he’s known for.
‘KNOCK KNOCK’
Grade: D
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Ana de Armas, Lorenza Izzo Rating: R for violence, sexuality, nudity, language
Running time: 1 hour, 35 minutes Theaters: Alamo Lakeline
How does one begin to describe the banality of “Knock Knock”?
The premise of someone being taken hostage in a home by a couple of psychotic people was interesting back in 1997, when the quintessentially dark German director Michael Haneke tackled the idea. It was even passable 10 years later when Haneke decided to do an English-language remake with Tim Roth and Naomi Watts.
And there have been other decent home-invasion movies, going back to 1971’s “Straw Dogs” and 1964’s “Lady in a Cage.”
“Knock Knock” is a bit different, but not in any good way.
Keanu Reeves stars as the hostage in “Knock Knock.” He’s a happily married man with two children, and the movie opens with his being a wonderful husband and father, taking time out of his busy architectural-oriented life to play games and be the family “monster.” We know the family is really wonderful since Mom and Dad have matching Volvo station wagons. (Ahem).
But the wonderful dad declines to go on a weekend holiday vacation with the family, saying he has a project to finish. So he’s all alone one dark and stormy night when two rain-soaked babes in short shorts and clingy tops show up at his front door, pretending to be stranded and in need of help.
The wonderful dad lets them in, of course. And he’s not completely immune to the charms of Bel (Ana de Armas), who does a good Marilyn Monroe impression but not much else, and Genesis (Lorenza Izzo), who’s the leader of the sadistic duo.
There’s no point in giving away any of the details, for those of you who wish to see this movie. Let’s just say that poor Dad tries to resist, then gives in, then regrets he ever met the two.
Eli Roth is the director and co-writer of “Knock Knock.” He has never been known for highbrow films, having come up through the Hollywood ranks with “Cabin Fever” and “Hostel.” But even his fans will probably give his latest a thumbs down. Contact Charles Ealy at 512445-3931.