New Crime Thriller On Max Gives Superhero Icon The Director’s Chair
He may be Batman to some, Birdman to others, and Beetlejuice to those who know him best, but Michael Keaton’s latest feature lands him the title of both leading star and director. Right now, audiences can check out the legendary actor’s sophomore feature-length directorial project as Knox Goes Away is streaming on Max. In yet another rough and tough role, Keaton appears in the action thriller as a retired assassin struggling with dementia who gets called back into the game when his son finds himself in deep trouble.
One Last Job … With A Twist
Starring Michael Keaton in the titular role, Knox Goes Away picks up with Keaton’s character after he’s bowed out of the messy and dangerous world of killing and is hoping to take some time for himself after receiving a life-changing dementia diagnosis.
The doctors say that his health is declining and that the disease is moving at a rapid pace, and Knox knows it by the way his memories are slipping away from him.
But when his son, Miles (James Marsden), approaches his estranged father and reveals that he’s fallen in with the wrong crew and needs protection, Knox picks up his gun and sets out to ensure his son’s safety – if it’s the last thing he does.
Unbelievable Casting
The rest of the cast of Knox Goes Away is a rather impressive one, but then again, when Michael Keaton comes to you to appear alongside him in a movie, there’s really no way to turn him down. Along with Jury Duty’s James Marsden, the film also features performances from Ray McKinnon (O Brother, where art Thou?), and Suzy Nakamura (Avenue 5), with Al Pacino also taking on a supporting part in the movie that parallels the greatest hits of his career like The Godfather, Heat, Scarface, and more.
Release And Reception
Celebrating a limited theatrical release back in March of this year, the movie celebrated its world debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023. While Michael Keaton’s performance and direction earned praise from critics, Knox Goes Away took a few hits due to its screenplay. On Rotten Tomatoes, the title sits with the so-so score of 63%, rather far down on the list compared to his work in beloved productions like Toy Story 3, Spotlight, and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
A Valiant Effort, But With Room For Improvement
Knox Goes Away is Michael Keaton’s second time sitting in the director’s chair and serving as the vision behind a feature-length production. The first time he took the reins and acted as the head honcho was with 2008’s neo-noir feature, The Merry Gentleman. Playing with a similar theme, The Merry Gentleman also saw Keaton take on the role of a hitman, this time one helping a woman (Kelly Macdonald) struggling with getting out from under the oppressive thumb of her abusive ex-partner.
The Merry Gentleman landed with critics just about as well as Knox Goes Away did, garnering similar reviews. Again, Keaton’s performance as the for-hire trigger puller and his work as the director was the winning combination with the screenplay receiving largely negative feedback.
Knox Goes Away Streaming On Max
Beyond Knox Goes Away, fans of Michael Keaton are gearing up to see him return to his iconic role as the afterlife’s grimiest character in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. While the sequel may not hit cinemas until September 6, you can catch Knox Goes Away right now as it’s streaming on Max.
