Keanu Reeves stars in Eli Roth’s Knock Knock alongside a dangerous Ana de Armas.
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
If you mention a Keanu Reeves horror film, most people will think you’re talking about Bram Stoker’s Dracula. While few things are scarier than the British accent Reeves tried to pull off in that movie, the beloved actor also appeared in the Eli Roth horror film Knock Knock. This spooky movie is seriously underrated.
One of the first things you should know about Knock Knock is that it comes from one of the most controversial directors in all of horror. Before he directed this Keanu Reeves film, Eli Roth made a name for himself by directing (among other things) the first two Hostel films. Because of this, many blame Roth for helping to popularize the so-called “torture porn” genre of horror, but don’t worry: if that’s not your bag, Knock Knock is a horror film that relies as much on psychological terror as it does on blood and guts.
In this remake of the 1977 film Death Game, Keanu Reeves plays a married architect whose life is turned upside down when two young girls visit his home while his wife and child are away. At first, they ask for help finding a party, but it soon becomes clear that they have a more sinister agenda on their minds. Much like vampires, the single worst thing Reeves’ character could do was invite these girls into his home.
Something we can say about this creepy Keanu Reeves movie that we can’t say about many horror films is that it features some stunning local photography. The movie was filmed in Chile, which Roth has claimed is easier (read: cheaper) than filming in America. Whether you hated his earlier films or not, an honest moviegoer must admit that Hostel helmer Roth has a good eye for setting movies in exotic locations.
Relatively speaking, Knock Knock is a small film: it only has nine major characters, and that’s counting the adorable dog (named Monkey) owned by Keanu Reeves’ character. While giving the John Wick star yet another cute dog sidekick is a little on the nose, it’s always enjoyable seeing the doggo on screen. You’ll also love seeing Ana de Armas as one of the girls who ends up torturing and manipulating a man that simply wanted to help them out.
While Knock Knock is not a horror comedy by any stretch, it does feature the occasional bout of mild physical comedy. Given how dark things eventually get, you’ll be happy for even brief bits of comedy. Take the chance to catch your breath. New torments awaited Keanu Reeves.
When Knock Knock first came out, audience reception was mixed: on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rather bleak 37 percent critical score. However, it’s worth noting that professional critics are often harsh on horror, with film critic icon Roger Ebert himself admittedly hating much of the genre.
In contrast to standard critical ratings, many horror and genre outlets praised the film for finding ways to innovate the tired home invasion horror genre. Keanu Reeves gives a fantastic performance that ensures you won’t be able to look away from each new horrific turn and twist.
While neither Eli Roth nor Keanu Reeves would have any way of knowing this, I can’t help but think Knock Knock is a horror film that hits harder in a post-pandemic world. We all spent a good chunk of our lives holed up inside our homes, and it’s easy to think of this as a place where you are safe from the dangers of the outside world. Knock Knock helps remind us that not only are such dangers ever present, but often far closer than we imagine.
