“Knox Goes Away” is a shakeup to the formula that was set by Liam Neeson’s recent filmography and is rarely challenged.
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Plot Summary
Since leaving the army decades ago, John Knox has been an assassin. From what it seems, he and his partner haven’t killed good people, just drug dealers and human traffickers, and basically have done vigilante work for a person named Jericho.
However, with getting up in age, John finds himself not only dealing with a form of dementia but also his estranged son Miles revealing to him he just killed a grown man who got his teenage daughter pregnant. With that in mind, John does his best to clean up the incident, with the help of his friend Xavier, and push detective Emily A to believe the narrative he is setting up all within his final weeks of being lucid.
Character Guide
| Character’s Name | Actor’s Name |
| John | Michael Keaton |
| Miles | James Marsden |
| Xavier | Al Pacino |
| Emily | Suzy Nakamura |
Character Description(s)
John
John was a deep reconnaissance officer in the military, held two PhDs, and was even a professor at one time. However, his main source of income for years has been as a vigilante for a shadowy figure. But, with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, he isn’t the soldier he once was, and no sooner is he diagnosed, he learns he has weeks left of being lucid, so the man nicknamed “Aristotle” soon will barely be able to remember what happened ten minutes ago.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Birdman.”
Miles
Miles is John’s son, who has gone through a lot. He had a drinking problem but now is sober; for reasons unknown, he became vegan; and now he has killed a man, a neo-nazi of some kind, who got his teenaged daughter pregnant. So, despite years of silence, Miles goes to the only person he knows who knows how to handle dead bodies.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Female Brain.”
Xavier
Xavier is the man who recruited John to become a vigilante of sorts and is known as a thief in his industry. But, with him up in years, on a new marriage, and pretty much sitting down most of the time, Xavier doesn’t put in the work he used to, potentially by choice, to live up to his reputation.
Detective Emily
With a tiger mom on one side and members of her family being notable cops, Detective Emily is hardcore when it comes to her work. However, because of her strict upbringing, she has an eye and mind for details others don’t, which complicates John trying to make sure his son doesn’t go down for murder.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Dr. Ken.”
Review
Good If You Like
- Any movie Liam Neeson has released in the last few years
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Highlights
The Level Of Emotion You Don’t Expect From A Film Like This
Liam Neeson rebuilt his career as an older man who would pick up a gun, his fist, or any object to defend his family, himself, or whatever. This has made it so that you get certain expectations for when you see someone in his age bracket advertised to commit violence. The high is like Denzel Washington in “The Equalizer” trilogy, and the low is Liam Neeson.
I’d submit Michael Keaton raised the bar. Now, is this film as violent as anything seen in “The Equalizer?” No. However, it does bring a sense of drama, notable performances, and, best of all, a story that doesn’t seem like something retooled year after year.
Because of that, you get engaged, have the potential to get emotional, and feel like you got the balance between the violence advertised, a complicated journey thanks to the lead having dementia, and an unexpected amount of character development that makes it so “Knox Goes Away” deserves its own pedestal.
It Provides All The Necessary Details
Another thing “Knox Goes Away” does that a lot of films similar to it don’t is explain almost anything you may want to ask about. Whether it is Knox’s training, why Xavier got him into this line of work, what happened between Miles and his dad, John’s ex-wife, and him, it’s all there.
It’s a bit shocking since so many films like these have plot holes, and considering John has dementia, it is easy to imagine using that as a cover to avoid having to explain anything. Yet, while “Knox Goes Away” doesn’t go into excessive details, like what missions John did while in the army, they give you his title, what his title meant, and so on. Ultimately leaving you feeling that, in this movie pushing almost 2 hours, it wanted to use its time wisely, unlike many that clock in around the same.
Background Information
| Director(s) | Michael Keaton |
| Writer(s) | Gregory Poirier |
| Based On Work By | N/A |
| Date Released | March 14, 2024 |
| Where To Watch | In Theaters |
| Genre(s) | Action |
| Film Length | 1 Hour 54 Minutes |
| Content Rating | Rated R |
| Content Information | Dialog: Cursing | Violence: Gun Violence, Blood, Notable Fight Scenes | Sexual Content: Sexual Situations (Implied) | Miscellaneous: Drinking |
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Knox Goes Away (2024) Review
Summary
Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)
“Knox Goes Away” pushes the idea it isn’t wrong to expect more. The action heroes we’ve grown up with can still bring the combat that made them famous while presenting us with something meaningful. I’d even say that watching “Knox Goes Away” reminded me that “Logan” exists and that to have low expectations for films like this is something we got used to but don’t have to.
Overall
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It Provides All The Necessary Details - 83%
83%
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The Level Of Emotion You Don’t Expect From A Film Like This - 84%
84%
Highlight(s)
- It Provides All The Necessary Details
- The Level Of Emotion You Don’t Expect From A Film Like This
Disputable