Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.5

Knight Chills Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 29, 2023

2001’s “Knight Chills” hunts to find the horror in the world of role-playing games. Unfortunately, such genre intent is only part of the viewing experience, with the screenplay by Jeff Kennedy, Juanita Kennedy, and D.J. Perry more interested in the ways of romantic obsession and police nonsense, limiting the fantasy aspects of the picture. “Knight Chills” hopes to be something of a valentine to gaming, offering time with a group of friends and their Saturday evenings of “Dungeons & Dragons”-style imagination adventuring, sharing such concentration with viewers. The rest of the shot-on-video endeavor isn’t quite as lively, with director Katherine Hicks unable to merge elements of fright and insanity into a more compelling feature.

Saturday nights are a big deal at Jack’s (Tim Jeffrey) house, offering a basement “dungeon” to game club gatherings, welcoming friends to enjoy some fantasy role-playing entertainment. For Zac (D.J. Perry), Brooke (Laura Tidwell), Hanee (Nathan L. Thomas), Nancy (Sarah Klein), and Russell (David Borowicz), the gatherings are a chance to have fun, drink beers, and enjoy gameplay, with Jack organizing an in-depth effort to engage his warriors. For John (Michael Rene Walton), the experience is everything, losing himself in the action, where he transforms into “Sir Kallio of the Red Rose Order.” John is fixated on Brooke, trying to win her attention, and he’s bullied by Hanee and Russell, having a tough time with the gang. When reality proves to be too much, John dies in a car accident, soon transformed into Sir Kallio, seeking revenge on those who’ve been mean to him, also continuing his quest to win Brooke’s heart.

Interplay among the players drives the first half of “Knight Chills,” examining John’s place in the group. He takes the game very seriously, determined to get involved in Jack’s campaigns, but the real pressure isn’t in the dungeons, but inside the basement, where Hanee and Russell go to town on John, mocking his general way of being and roasting his efforts to connect with Brooke, who’s dating Zac. Time is also spent on gameplay, with “Knight Chills” exploring Jack’s leadership, working with miniatures and quick thinking to provide a war zone for the characters, who do battle with mazes and monsters, and even one another, as John challenges Hanee in the match when he can’t do it in real life. The picture reaches its potential in these moments, offering an overview of camaraderie and fantasy action, supplying a full sense of club dynamics and highlights.

“Knight Chills” eventually takes a turn into genre happenings when John is killed, using his final moments to set up his new role as a knight on horseback, armed with aggression towards those who’ve wronged John in the past. There’s some effort to understand the characters, as Hanee is a second-generation Christmas tree salesman with no future, and Russell works overnights at a convenience store, inspiring their anger issues. Slasher elements arrive when Sir Kallio seeks revenge (leaving a red rose as his signature), and he’s also a protector of sorts, freaking out Brooke when he kills a man looking to assault her in a bar parking lot. Fresh complications oddly come for Jack as well, who’s immediately targeted by angry cops for John’s death, making for some unintentional comedy as law enforcement officials are ready to put the teacher on death row for a crime he clearly didn’t commit.

Knight Chills Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) remains in line with other SOV endeavor. Fine detail isn't available, but a general sense of frame information is present with characters. Gaming room elements are also understood. Color retains age, but there's a basic sense of hues, including the red of the rose and primaries on style choices. Winter activity also registers reasonably well. Source is in acceptable condition.

Knight Chills Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix battles inherent limitations in sound technology, as even the subtitles can't catch a few lines during the listening experience. Intelligibly is generally acceptable, doing okay with argumentative behavior and processed knight threats. Scoring offers passable synth support.

Knight Chills Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features actor/co-writer/producer D.J. Perry, co-writer/co-producer Jeff Kennedy, and co-writer Juanita Kennedy.

• "Running the Campaign" (11:39) is a video conference interview with actor/co-writer/co-producer D.J. Perry, who's celebrating the 25th anniversary of "Knight Chills." The interviewee recalls his early years of acting, soon diverting into screenwriting, forming a company with Jeff Kennedy. Striking out in Hollywood, Perry and Kennedy elected to go out on their own, using their history with role-playing games to inspire their screenplay, setting out to play into "Dungeons & Dragons" hysteria they experienced during their formative years. The casting process is examined, along with the choice to shoot on video, with budgetary concerns driving the format choice. Memories from the freezing shoot are shared, and Perry is somewhat open about distribution failures, making little money on a film that was a popular rental in video stores.

• "Finding Sir Kallio: Recollections of 'Knight Chills'" (4:55, HD) is a video conference interview with actors Michael Rene Walton and Stuart MacDonald. Casting stories are shared, with the men excited to be part of a movie production. Characterization is offered, along with memories from the shoot.

• Archival Dungeon Tour (7:20, SD) is hosted by co-writer/co-producer Jeff Kennedy, who built a home for gamers inside his basement back in 1989, using the location for "Knight Chills." The interviewee provides a tour of props, awards, and miniatures used during gaming time.

• Local News Coverage (2:36, SD) is a brief look at the making of "Knight Chills" (known then as "Winter Chills"), with director Katherine Hicks sharing her approach to production demands.

• "'Knight Chills': Special Effects" (7:40, SD) is B-roll from the shoot, highlighting work that went into the crashing of an automobile, which was soon set ablaze for the camera.

• "Building of a Bad Guy" (2:04, SD) is BTS footage, exploring the work involved with knight and horse action.

• "Cast & Crew at Work and Play" (7:19, SD) is another BTS offering, this time highlighting cast and crew camaraderie during the shoot, and the creation of takes are included as well.

• "Knight Chills II" (24:18, SD) is listed as a "camera test," sharing lighting and costume choices for a proposed sequel.

• Image Gallery (1:05) collects BTS snaps, film stills, and comic book panels.

• "Of Satanic Panic and Red Roses" (15:13, HD) is a video essay by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.

• A Trailer is not included on this release.

Knight Chills Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Knight Chills" really loses something when it switches over to deadly happenings, as the script fumbles detective elements with Zac, who's out to discover what's going on…when he gets around to it. Police work is ridiculous as well. "Knight Chills" really connects when it stays away from horror interests, examining the realm of role-playing games and its influence on certain minds eager to lose themselves in the depths of fantasy, giving them power they wouldn't otherwise possess. It's a juicy psychological study that's much more interesting than the murderous wrath of an incel aiming to slaughter those who weren't nice to him, or clearly rejecting his advances for good reasons.