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John Wick has a run-in with herpes. Um, I mean, harpies! Or … well, probably both. In Episode 040 of Horror Movie Weekly, your three late-night Horror hosts, Jay of the Dead, BillChete, and Lady Phantom bring you a rousing review of an arousing film called Knock Knock (2015)! Be sure to watch this one with grandma! During this review Phantom discusses how this film’s Horror threat isn’t intended to harm the victim physically. Instead, the malicious intent is to altogether destroy his life and his happiness. BillChete provides an excellent insight about how the hallway depicted in the house amounts to a character with its own arc. Fascinating! Join us!
Note: This episode contains mild spoilers for Eli Roth’s “Knock Knock” (2015). It was recorded on May 10, 2020, and it was released on May 31, 2020.
On Horror Movie Weekly, your late-night Horror hosts Jay of the Dead, BillChete and Lady Phantom bring you one recent Horror movie review every Sunday. (We’re defining “recent” as any Horror movie released within the last five years.) And we always reveal next week’s pick at the end of every show, so you can watch along with us and be prepared for the following episode. Join us, and thanks for listening!
SHOW NOTES:
Introduction
– HMW’s first official voicemail: Star Nerd (aka Tonee Smith)
— You can call our voicemail line, too: (801) 215-9704.
— BillChete’s pick for this week: Knock Knock (2015)
Note: This review contains mild spoilers.
[ 00:07:30 ] – Knock Knock (2015) — Genre Classification: Drama / Thriller / Mystery / Horror
Premise:
Keanu Reeves plays Evan, a family man who is home alone on Father’s Day, when two attractive young women knock on his door to ask for help. One thing leads to another, and as the young girls try to seduce Evan, the events of the evening lead to upsetting and destructive consequences.
Ratings and Recommendations: Knock Knock (2015)
Jay of the Dead = 7.5 ( Strong Rental )
BillChete = 7 ( Buy it! )
Lady Phantom = 8 ( Buy it! )
Next on Episode 041: Upgrade (2018) — Lady Phantom’s pick!
HMW website feature: Categories by Year
– 2020 Horror
– 2019 Horror
– 2018 Horror
– 2017 Horror
– 2016 Horror
– 2015 Horror
– 2014 Horror
— Don’t forget to call and leave us a voicemail: (801) 215-9704
Podcast artwork: Lady Phantom
Original podcast theme music: Jay of the Dead
Links for this episode:
— BillChete and Lady Phantom’s new show:
MOVIES IN 4K
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Listen to Movies in 4K:
Ep. 001: Ready Player One
Ep. 002: 3 From Hell
Ep. 003: Lucy
Ep. 004: Incredibles 2
Listen to the latest Considering the Cinema episodes:
Ep. 027: The Lodge (2020) with BillChete and Lady Phantom
Also, check out Ep. 028: Film Challenge: Three Decades of Theatrical Horror (1990 – 2019)
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Website: Horror Movie Weekly.com
Follow Lady Phantom on Twitter: @LadyPhantom74
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For my very funny joke, look at Twitter. Hehe
Lady Phantom,
I like when you tell Knock Knock jokes. We should have a contest sometime on Horror Movie Weekly — like a showdown, to see who can tell the better Knock Knock joke. I already know you’re a way better singer, Karen. (Did you get that double-sided joke right there? ha ha) But can you take me at Knock Knock jokes? -J
I’ll take the Carpenter side of the joke; I refuse to acknowledge the other one. As for knock knock jokes, I could never beat you. You are a dad. lol
Ha ha ha ha Dammit! You just vanquished me right there! I was actually going to play that “I’m a Dad with Dad Jokes” card on you, but you just Eminem / 8 Mile rap-battled my material out from under me… Touché. -J
P.S. Yeah, you’re no “Karen,” though you sure can sing like K.C. herself!
Haaaaahaha!! Thank you, thank you… *bows*
I try my best, my friend.
Hi back lady Phantom. I figured my voicemail had disappeared into the void but nope here it is on horror movie weekly. I’ve had the Morgan freeman example in my head for a long time so glad i could finally tell it to someone & jay love that movie & I have the dvd as well. Wish I could give my voice an upgrade *next episode reference* lol anyway my horror peeps thanks for the shout outs & for another good episode. Looking forward to you 3 together again on the latest episode of CTC. You 3 have a great week !
Tony “Star Nerd” Smith
You have a wonderful week too, Tony. Thanks for your voice mails! It’s always cool to hear from you.
Tony! (aka “Star Nerd,” aka Alternate Reality GregaMortis, aka Freddy Krueger)
Jay of the Dead here! I’m sorry I’ve been misspelling “Tony” for so long… Isn’t your Twitter handle something like Toneee? ha ha That’s what confused me.
I loved that you’re so familiar with the Morgan Freeman movie, “Lean on Me” (the O.G. precursor of “Freedom Writers,” “Dangerous Minds,” etc.). I remember the Bat Man quote that you cited, but what I’ll never forget about that film is the horrific violence at the opening (almost Horror-level violence), where the unruly school kid bashed that teacher’s head on the ground several times! Yikes! I’m a Horror fan, and that scene still makes me cringe.
Say, would you be willing to tell us where you got the handle “Star Nerd”? I’m guessing you’re either a big Star Wars or Star Trek fan. Yes? No? -J
I think it goes both ways. He was a victim but he still had sex with them so he is to blame as well. They came to his house but he wasn’t raped. Like you said Jay, there were warning signs and red flags and he could have stopped it early on if he really wanted to.
Yup. Like I said, he kept making decisions that to him looked like the right thing to do at the moment, but they weren’t. And of course, he gave in. Worst decision ever… although I doubt he was thinking at the moment.
Good to hear from you, Andrew. Thanks for the comment. It might seem like we were splitting hairs or even beating a dead horse with this debate, but I think the nuanced fine line between guilt and innocence, victim and willing participant are important factors when considering the Horror of this film.
To me, the most effective Horror films are those in which the “victims” are truly “victims” due to some degree of vulnerability, especially one that comes as a result of an infirmity, a weakness, bad luck, tragedy, or being dealt some bad hand in life. Like I always say, “Horror (often) happens to those who deserve it least.” And in this case with Keanu Reeves’ Evan character, I definitely don’t think he deserved to be targeted as a presumably monogamous family man. -J
I love Ti west movies, my favorite being innkeepers. Haven’t been disappointed yet by any of his movies.
Knock knock was a very anxiety driven movie. I have a hard time watching movies involving adultery because that’s a devastating realism and horrifying in and of itself. And the women were quite monstrous. But I do agree that Keanu’s character is a victim AND at fault with his decision making. I’m sure he would have much rather them not be there Even if they were just looking for a good time and weren’t tortuous.I would have done what Bill did and bring a phone out to them.
Really looking forward to Upgrade! It is one of my favorite movies. Perfect Sci-fi/crime/revenge movie with amazing special effects and a great twist. Although, I do feel it is Not horror, but horror adjacent for sure. This is where I agree with J about the crime aspect.
A victim and at fault. Exactly. I like the way you put it, Sam!