NATTY KNOCKS (2023)
Tagline: Nope.
(Horror, Thriller, Tell Me You Didn’t) [R]
Note: This movie never got an MPA rating, but definitely would have landed an [R].
In this one we are taken to the 1960’s Natty Knocks moves to Hollywood to become a B-movie star but never quite makes it and returns home. She ends up sleeping with a bunch of women’s husbands and ultimately she is burned alive after being locked in a shed. Fast forward to 2023 the night before Halloween, and Diane is just trying to raise her family by selling houses in the midst of a divorce. Her son Wyatt ends up witnessing a murder and it becomes clear that they are dealing with a killer who has ties to the spirit of Natty Knocks. Will anyone survive this Halloween?
First off, the last time I saw Danielle Harris (HATCHET II) in anything, it was actually a terrible film she directed called AMONG FRIENDS. She is definitely a better actress than she is a director. I liked her role in this, but she doesn’t get as much screen time as I would have liked. I think for horror fans who were looking for a lot of gore, this isn’t really that movie. This is more of an 80s-style throwback slasher. It actually comes from the director of HALLOWEEN 4: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS.
Pacing wise this thing works to an extent, but the middle does drag quite a bit. I think there was probably a way to cut 20 minutes out of this thing, but it is pretty short as is. We do get a lot of pretty cool horror elements. There is a haunted house, it’s got teens freaking out and running for their lives, it’s got Danielle Harris as I mentioned, and Robert Englund (A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET).
Acting-wise this film is largely carried by Charlotte Fountain-Jardim who is part of a group of up-and-coming scream queens (Shanley Caswell (DETENTION), Bailee Madison (DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK)). She plays Britt in this and does a really solid job. They set this up for a part II, so it’s possible Charlotte will be back at some point. Thomas Robie (Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D.) is also good in this. I won’t go as far as to say he’s great, but he’s good. This is a great outing for Channah Zeitung (HOW TO CRY ON COMMAND). She plays Britt’s younger sister Jolie. Jason James Richter (GHOST IN THE GRAVE YARD) is also decent. The rest of the cast is more than adequate, so this thing doesn’t come across as a cheap B-movie. It might have done well in theaters if they had ramped up the scares.
I think if there could have been any improvements for hardcore horror fans they could have played up the ghost-story element. There is a part of Mr. Meredith’s story that could have been left out and it would have creeped this up a bit more. We also see the killer right off the bat, and they just really aren’t that intimidating throughout. Just as an example. FRIDAY THE 13TH PART II is scarier than this movie and it doesn’t have a supernatural element. So for me, it’s like – “Why even throw that in this thing” if the backstory doesn’t highlight it.
NATTY KNOCKS gets a 4 out of 7. I think from the previews I expected a bit more, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a decent horror flick for your Halloween-Horror-O-Thon.
GRAPHICS ARE THE PROPERTY OF KNOCK KNOCK FILMS AND ARE USED FOR REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY.
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