Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Knocking Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 5, 2021

Director Frida Kempff doesn’t simply want to revive the Hitchcock experience with “Knocking,” though she doesn’t turn down any opportunities for suspense. It’s a simple premise concerning a woman haunted by unexplained noises in her apartment, but Kempff and writer Emma Brostrom strive to make a meaningful study of trauma and manipulation from a feminine perspective with “Knocking,” adding as much subtext as possible without sacrificing the escalating tension of the picture, which is an effective offering of freak-out cinema.

Molly (Cecilia Milocco) has just been released from a psychiatric hospital after suffering a personal loss, forced to return to a life she hasn’t been in contact with for over a year. Moving into a new apartment during a sweltering summer, Molly tries to settle in, only to be jolted awake by a persistent knocking noise coming from somewhere close. Getting nowhere with her investigation, Molly finds the noises intensifying, returning her to the verge of madness as everyone around her denies knowledge of a situation she’s convinced is real.

Viewers are with Molly throughout “Knocking,” watching the character reunite with daily life and decline when the noises begin. It’s an intimate study of the lead character, who’s trying to get back on her feet after dealing with extraordinary emotional pain, only to find her rehabilitation refreshing uncertainty about everything. “Knocking” offers a tour of residents and the superintendent, watching Molly deal with outsiders who deny making any noises, putting pressure on her to prove something isn’t right. Kempff develops this mystery with care, blending doubt and fear into the mix as Molly starts to question her own sanity again, returning to the moment in her once comforting life where everything went wrong.

Knocking Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.60:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Knocking" preserves the feature's moody atmosphere, with apartment life utilizing stylish lighting to set an unnerving atmosphere. Yellows and reds are present to develop the heat of the moment and the presence of blood. Cooler, more claustrophobic hues are found in bathroom and hallways scenes. Occasional visits to the beach bring brightness and a fresh air appearance. Skintones are natural. Fine detail is present with facial surfaces, as "Knocking" spends a lot of time in close-ups on Milocco. Textures are preserved as well, which is a key part of the viewing experience. Delineation is acceptable. Artifacting is an issue throughout the film, with banding present.

Knocking Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 Dolby Digital mix deals with active sound effects, offering subtle knocks and voices. Dialogue exchanges are sharp and emotive, and silence is just as distinct, with atmospherics contributing to pressure points of the film, reaching into the surrounds. Scoring is crisp, with distinct instrumentation. Low-end isn't challenged, but some harder physical and structural hits register with weight.

Knocking Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (10 pages) contains an essay by Anya Stanley.

• Intro (1:51, HD) features director Frida Kempff, who details her artistic approach to "Knocking" (including a glimpse of BTS footage) and points out the material's thematic layers.

• "Sundance Q&A" (27:24, HD) is a video conference discussion of "Knocking" with director Frida Kempff, producer Erik Andersson, cinematographer Hannes Krantz, and actress Cecilia Milocco.

• Short Films (HD) from director Frida Kempff include 2009's "Bathing Micky" (13:49) and 2016's "Dear Kid" (12:16).

• And a Teaser Trailer (:44, HD) and a Theatrical Trailer (1:55, HD) are included.

Knocking Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Knocking" has the advantage of being short, never lingering on superfluous subplots or performances. Milocco also carries the picture with ease, contributing a subtle sense of horror and grief as Molly deals with her issues while confronted with something potentially evil happening around her. Not all of Kempff's visual choices connect as intended (extensive body-mounted camerawork is a distraction, not a dramatic amplification), but she gets the feature to levels of suspense that work wonderfully, also identifying bigger ideas about the female experience along the way, giving "Knocking" a bit more texture than a straightforward thriller would allow.