“Knox Goes Away”

Genre: Crime drama/thriller/neo-noir

County: United States

Directed by: Michael Keaton

Written by: Gregory Poirier

Starring: Michael Keaton, James Marsden, Suzy Nakamura, Joanna Kulig, Ray McKinnon, John Hoogenakker, Lela Loren, Marcia Gay Harden, Al Pacino

Rated: R for violence and language

Run time: 1 hour, 54 minutes

Release date: Made debut at Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 10, 2023; in limited theaters March 15, 2024

Where I saw it: Republic Studio 10 Cinemas in Shelbyville, Ind., on a Tuesday evening, $7, three other people in the theater

What it’s about: Aging hitman John Knox (Keaton) is diagnosed with a rapidly evolving form of dementia. When his last job results in two unintended deaths, Knox decides to liquidate his assets and “go away.” He’s about to execute his exit plan when his estranged son (Marsden as Miles Knox) shows up at his house after having committed murder. Miles Knox wants his father to cover his crime, giving John Knox two situations to deal with before he loses his ability to function.

What I liked about: I went to see this simply because Keaton stars in it, and I wasn’t disappointed, at least not because of the writer/director’s efforts. While this might not be classic Keaton, his performance is typically edgy but also nuanced. He’s perfect for playing a man who sees killing as his job (he prefers not to know the awful things his targets have done to deserve being hit) but has depth (Knox is an ex-Army reconnaissance officer who is well-educated and well-read), is lonely (he has a standing weekly date with a hooker, Kulig as Annie) and is at least a little troubled by his past, including a failed marriage and falling out with his son. Keaton has proven time and again that he can go bonkers but dial it back when need be, and here he’s mostly reserved. His is a solid performance. … The premise is an interesting one, and it keeps the audience on its toes (but also creates some plot issues; see below). Has Knox, a meticulous killer adept at covering up the crime, become sloppy because of his condition? Or is he being sloppy with a purpose? … The crime procedural scenes, while off tone with the rest of the film, make for nice, lighter breaks in a serious movie, as the mismatched investigators – Nakamura as Det. Emily Ikari and Hoogenakker as Det. Rale – quip with each other and seem baffled by the two cases they are looking into but are nipping at Knox’s heels. Or are they?

What I didn’t like about it: Beyond a few visual effects meant to simulate Knox’s deteriorating condition, this is standard filmmaking, with a mildly suspenseful story that is not especially thrilling. You can view the sets, costumes, framing, etc., as a throwback to more classic noir-type movies, but you can also view them as rather ordinary. With a character like John Knox, this would have benefited from a more aggressive and inventive approach. … While the big plot twist is a keeper, another was telegraphed and a groaner. … Knox’s condition (he is given only weeks to live in his diagnosis) and advanced age (Keaton is 72 now) make it unlikely he could fend off three much younger armed bad guys within a few feet of him. But, hey, Liam Neeson (71) and Denzel Washington (69) do that all the time. Also, and maybe it was his dementia, but would a killer as skilled at coverups as Knox have left living a witness who knew his story?

Who it will appeal to: Fans of Keaton, the 55-and-up crowd

My score: 65 out of 100