Michael Keaton’s Underrated Thriller From 2023 Is Now Streaming & One Detail Makes It A Must Watch

Summary Knox Goes Away, starring Michael Keaton, is an underrated thriller with an 84% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film blends drama, action, and dark comedy, exploring themes of identity and redemption through its protagonist Knox.

Keaton's dual role as actor and director adds depth to the film, showcasing his versatility and storytelling capabilities.

Knox Goes Away is an underrated 2023 psychological thriller starring Michael Keaton now trending on Max, and one behind-the-scenes detail makes its arrival even more exciting. While the film's critical reception may be fairly middling, Keaton’s thriller boasts a high audience Rotten Tomatoes score – 84%. The story is about a contract killer diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a severe form of dementia., showcasing Keaton's dramatic as well as action credentials.

The film doesn’t fit neatly into the noir or thriller genres, with moments of dark comedy throughout (“Even if I hated you for telling me, I’d forget soon enough,” jokes Knox in one scene) – its moments of levity may explain its status as a misunderstood masterpiece. While there are some pacing issues, Knox Goes Away is an ambitious thriller and a compelling drama, with the memory loss theme adding to its urgency. Although the movie is somewhat divisive, it's an intriguing addition to Keaton's resume – not least because of his involvement behind the camera as the movie's director.

Related Michael Keaton's 10 Best Movies, Ranked Michael Keaton has been in some great movies over the years, and his best ten films are among the most impressive and varied of all Hollywood stars.

Michael Keaton's Knox Goes Away Is Now Trending On Max

The Seasoned Actor Plays An Equally Seasoned Hitman

Knox Goes Away is as much a psychological portrait as it is an action movie. A hardened assassin confronting the twilight of his life is faced with a stark choice – succumb to a severe, merciless form of dementia within weeks or seize a final opportunity for redemption. When his estranged son's life hangs in the balance, he must reconcile his violent past with a desperate future. The film's title encapsulates Knox's character as a departing father, convicted criminal, medical patient, and deteriorating identity. Keaton’s character, Knox, bodies the often misunderstood nature of identity, guilt, and redemption.

While modern audiences are inundated with superhero epics and franchise installments, a film like Knox Goes Away stands out as a refreshing departure. It echoes the suspenseful atmosphere of psychological thriller classics like Shutter Island, where the line between reality and faulty memory is blurred. In an interview with JoBlo alongside his costar with James Marsden, it’s pointed out that filmmakers are much more “risk-averse” – Keaton’s willingness to take risks and explore uncharted territory is a testament to his artistry, especially when compared to the industry’s reliance on familiar IP.

Knox Goes Away Is One Of Michael Keaton's Best Performances In Recent Years

Keaton Gives A Career-Best Performance In This Tense Drama

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While the supporting cast delivers commendable performances, the film undeniably belongs to Keaton.

Michael Keaton is renowned for his dynamic portrayals of characters on the edge, such as the manic Riggan Thomson or the brooding Batman. He undergoes a transformative shift in this film. His portrayal of a man grappling with the rapid encroachment of dementia is a masterclass in understated intensity. Keaton deftly navigates the character's complexity, conveying Knox's proactive defiance against his deteriorating mind. While the supporting cast delivers commendable performances, the film undeniably belongs to Keaton. His nuanced exploration of a man determined to shape his son’s future is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

Keaton has consistently challenged archetypes throughout his acting career, showcasing his ability to evolve. Directors often cast themselves in familiar roles, limiting their range and preventing them from exploring new characters. He can’t be accused of this. His portrayal of a character grappling with the inevitability of his memory loss is a testament to his versatility. By venturing into this challenging territory, Keaton demonstrates a willingness to explore the complexities of human nature. This performance solidifies his chameleon status, capable of inhabiting any role with layered intensity.

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Michael Keaton Directing Knox Goes Away Makes It Even Better

Keaton's Actor-Director Blend Enhances Its Tone

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Keaton’s directorial debut, The Merry Gentleman, was a gritty, neo-noir thriller with a focus on crime and suspense. It was characterized by a dark, atmospheric tone and a penchant for unexpected twists. In Knox Goes Away, Keaton ventures into more emotionally complex territory. The film has noir elements but is a character-driven drama that requires a delicate touch. He balances the heartbreaking elements of dementia with the underlying thriller plot. This is a testament to Keaton's directorial maturity, as he demonstrates a broader range in his storytelling. He showcases his ability to navigate different genres while maintaining a strong directorial voice.

He described directing Knox Goes Away as playing a game of Jenga (Indiewire). This is where his acting experience comes in. Keaton's connection to his character prioritizes authenticity, capturing the character's internal turmoil. His directorial hand is evident in the film's deliberate pacing, which mirrors the rapid decline of Knox's memories and reflexes. By maintaining a tight focus on character and atmosphere, Keaton crafts a tense and emotionally charged movie that elevates his own performance. This blend of actor and director creates a two-fold appeal – Knox Goes Away is both deeply personal and cinematic.

Sources: JoBlo, IndieWire