Knocking is a Swedish psychological horror film directed by Frida Kempff and starring Cecilia Milocco, Albin Grenholm, and Ville Virtanen. The film follows the story of a woman named Molly, who is released from a psychiatric hospital and moves into a new apartment in a quiet neighborhood. Molly initially seems to be doing well and trying to make a fresh start. However, she begins to hear a strange knocking sound that no one else can hear. The knocking is incessant, and it quickly becomes clear that there is something sinister at play.
As the knocking becomes more intense and frequent, Molly becomes increasingly convinced that there is someone or something in her apartment building. Despite her attempts to get help from her neighbors and the authorities, no one believes her. Molly must confront her fears and uncover the truth about what is happening before it's too late.
One of the most striking features of Knocking is the atmospheric setting. The entire film takes place in and around Molly's apartment building, which is slowly revealed to be dark and foreboding. The film uses sound design to great effect, with the constant knocking creating an oppressive sense of dread. Additionally, the cinematography is excellent, capturing the dilapidated and claustrophobic environment in which Molly finds herself.
The film is anchored by Cecilia Milocco's performance as Molly. Milocco brilliantly conveys the character's mounting desperation and paranoia, making it easy for the audience to empathize with her. Molly is a complex character, a survivor of trauma who is trying to rebuild her life despite the odds. Milocco brings her to life in a way that is both sympathetic and unsettling.
The supporting cast is also strong, with Albin Grenholm as a sympathetic neighbor who tries to help Molly and Ville Virtanen as a creepy building manager who may or may not be involved in what's going on.
Overall, Knocking is an effective and chilling horror film that is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The film's slow-build tension, excellent cinematography, and strong performances make it a standout in the horror genre. If you're a fan of psychological horror films that rely on atmosphere and character development rather than jump scares, then Knocking is definitely worth checking out.
Knocking is a 2021 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 65.