65
Metascore
15 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80CineVueMartyn ConterioCineVueMartyn ConterioThe horror in Knocking isn’t supernatural or down to mental illness: it’s societal. The clever switch in perspective leaves a haunting impression and makes Kempff’s segue into fiction a triumph.
- 80The Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenThe Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenFirst-time feature director Frida Kempff embraces and revamps genre tropes, casting them in a trenchant feminist light and a character-specific poignancy. The action unfolds entirely through Molly’s perspective, and Cecilia Miloccco’s performance, by turns guarded and explosive, is gripping from first scene to last.
- 75The Film StageMichael FrankThe Film StageMichael Frank[Kempff] crafts a film that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go, one that’s equally absorbing in look and performance, despite a diminished importance mere hours after it ends.
- 70Film ThreatMatthew PassantinoFilm ThreatMatthew PassantinoKempff walks the fine line of being frustratingly vague and trusting the audience to grasp the film fully. Knocking, for the most part, lands in the latter category.
- 67ConsequenceJoe LipsettConsequenceJoe LipsettKnocking is an uneven film. Despite strong direction by Kempff in her feature debut and a daring, go-for-broke performance by lead actress Milocco, there’s just not enough weight in these hollow knocks and the payoff doesn’t feel earned or substantial enough.
- 65SlashfilmChris EvangelistaSlashfilmChris EvangelistaAs a sensory experience, Knocking is stunning. The heightened sounds mixed with a stuffy, collapsing ambiance create an unforgettable experience. Pity that the narrative in the midst of all of this fails to match that power.
- 60The New York TimesNicolas RapoldThe New York TimesNicolas RapoldThe film does strike one long, nerve-jangling note, but the style leaves Molly with nowhere to run.
- 58IndieWireKate ErblandIndieWireKate ErblandFew contemporary horror films start this strong to end so poorly, and with such a lack of ease. Molly deserves answers, but “Knocking” forgets what the questions were in the first place.