The Knife (2024 film)
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| Directed by | Nnamdi Asomugha |
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| Cinematography | Alejandro Mejia |
| Edited by | Dana Congdon |
| Music by | Kyle Townsend |
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Running time | 82 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Knife is a 2024 American psychological drama film produced and directed by Nnamdi Asomugha (in his directorial debut) and co-written by Asomugha and Mark Duplass.[2] The film stars Asomugha, Melissa Leo, Aja Naomi King, and Manny Jacinto.[3] It follows a family over the course of one night after an intruder breaks into their home, leading to a tense, mind-twisting investigation.[4]
The film premiered in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 9, 2024, where it won awards for Best New Narrative Director and Best Cinematography and was nominated for the Founders Award for Best U.S. Narrative Feature.[5][6] It had its European premiere on September 11, 2024, at the Deauville American Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize and was nominated for the festival's Grand Prix.[7]
On November 4, 2024, Asomugha was honored with the Breakthrough Director Award at the Denver Film Festival.[8]
Cast
- Nnamdi Asomugha as Chris
- Melissa Leo as Detective Carlsen
- Aja Naomi King as Alexandra
- Manny Jacinto as Officer Padilla
- Amari Price as Kendra
- Aiden Price as Ryley
- Shannon Corbeil as Officer Snell
- Lucinda Jenney as Mary Duvall-Thompson
Production
On January 18, 2022, it was announced that Nnamdi Asomugha would direct his first feature film from a script he co-wrote with filmmaker Mark Duplass.[9] It was also announced that Academy Award-winning actress Melissa Leo would star alongside Asomugha, and production would take place in Los Angeles, with iAm21 Entertainment and Duplass Brothers Productions producing.[10] Aja Naomi King and Manny Jacinto were also added to the cast.[11]
Reception
Critical response
The film garnered critical praise following its premiere at the 23rd edition of the Tribeca Film Festival, with many critics citing it as a "remarkable and powerful directing debut," as well as lauding the "strong and poignant performances" from the ensemble cast.[12][13][14] Film critic Will Bjarnar, in his review for Next Best Picture, said that "the film was as engaging a work of suspense as I've seen this year."[15] Lovia Gyarkye, a critic for The Hollywood Reporter, highlighted the film's "chilling and visceral frankness" and called it "not just a story of horror, but of heartbreak."[16]
Release
The Knife is scheduled to be released in the United States on August 15, 2025.[17]
References
- ^ "Tribeca Film Festival (2024".
- ^ "SBIFF 2025 Review: 'The Knife' Effectively Twists For Black Family Tension". We Live Entertainment. February 9, 2025. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ "The Knife | 2024 Tribeca Festival". Tribeca. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ Bergeson, Samantha (June 10, 2024). "'The Knife' First Look: Mark Duplass and Nnamdi Asomugha Co-Write Home Invasion Thriller". IndieWire. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ Lewis, Hilary (June 13, 2024). "'Griffin in Summer' Tops Tribeca Festival Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ "Nnamdi Asomugha - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ Croll, Ben (September 15, 2024). "'In the Summers' Takes Top Prize as Deauville Festival Charts New Course Post #MeToo". Variety. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ "Awards - DFF47". Denver Film. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (January 18, 2022). "'The Knife': Melissa Leo, Aja Naomi King, Manny Jacinto & More To Star Alongside Nnamdi Asomugha In His Feature Directorial Debut". Deadline. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (January 18, 2022). "'The Knife': Melissa Leo, Aja Naomi King, Manny Jacinto & More To Star Alongside Nnamdi Asomugha In His Feature Directorial Debut". Deadline. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ Asomugha, Nnamdi (June 9, 2024), The Knife (Drama), Nnamdi Asomugha, Aja Naomi King, Melissa Leo, Iam21 Entertainment, retrieved February 17, 2025
- ^ Saito, Stephen (June 13, 2024). "Nnamdi Asomugha's "The Knife" - Tribeca 2024 Film Review". The Moveable Fest. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ Papaioannou, Alex (June 13, 2024). "Movie Review (Tribeca 2024): 'The Knife' Examines Choice and Consequence | InSession Film". Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ "The Knife | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ Bjarnar, Will (June 12, 2024). ""THE KNIFE" - Review". Next Best Picture. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ Gyarkye, Lovia (June 10, 2024). "'The Knife' Review: A Nightmarish Evening Upends a Black Family's Sense of Safety in Unnerving Debut". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (June 27, 2025). "Relativity Media & Inaugural Entertainment Set Theatrical Release For Nnamdi Asomugha Thriller 'The Knife'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2025.