By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.25 cats
Director: Nnamdi Asomugha
Starring: Aiden Gabrielle Price | Aja Naomi King | Amari Alexis Price | Manny Jacinto | Melissa Leo | Nnamdi Asomugha
Year: 2025
Running time: 80
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16233642/
Michael says: “There’s a lot about THE KNIFE that impressed me. A complicated tale of a young, black family doing their best to climb the ladder and live the American dream. That dream turns into a nightmare when the patriarch of this five person family is awoken by the sound of an intruder in their house. Home invasion? Or something else? When the rest of the family wakes up to a loud noise, they are confronted by a panicked father, an unconscious an bleeding white woman on the ground, and their dad’s knife, which he picked up to defend himself when investigating the sound, about a foot away from the woman’s outstretched hand.
“Cue the police, and particularly Detective Carlsen, played beautifully by Melissa Leo, who goes after the truth like a dog after a bone. As the night wears on, we spend about 45 minutes of discomfort while Carlsen interrogates father, mother, and two young daughters, seeing if their truthful stories match up.
“Co-writer (with Mark Duplass), lead actor, director, Nnamdi Asomugha, does an admirable job in his directorial debut, leaving just enough unrevealed that the conclusion will either leave you in moral outrage, or deep disappointment, depending on which way you interpret the film. I love films that can be viewed differently by different viewers. Looks great too. 4 cats”
Julie says: “I loved this one! I agree with Michael’s last comments ‘leaving just enough unrevealed that the conclusion will either leave you in moral outrage, or deep disappointment, depending on which way you interpret the film. I love films that can be viewed differently by different viewers.'”Melissa Leo def will get a best supporting nom from me and also best original screenplay. 4.5 cats”