The Knife

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The Knife

R

Released Aug 15

1h 22m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Blending gripping suspense, emotional depth, and sharp social commentary, The Knife tells the story of a young family whose world is thrown into chaos by the unexpected arrival of a stranger in their home. As the tension builds over one harrowing night, a determined detective races to uncover long-buried truths and the far-reaching consequences of past choices.

Robert Daniels

RogerEbert.com

It’s a well-acted, competently filmed work that ends on a gut-wrenching note

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 15, 2025

Full Review

Beatrice Loayza

New York Times

With its twists and rug-pulls, “The Knife” makes for an absorbing drama, but it’s also deeply exasperating in that it feels less like a social commentary grounded in reality than an edgy play on emotions.

Aug 14, 2025

Full Review

Clayton Dillard

Slant Magazine

The overriding suspense here is largely created by watching truth become negotiable, and through the small, plausible distortions of the truth that people come up with when survival instincts kick in.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 10, 2025

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

Fish Jelly Films (YouTube)

The situational wounds inflicted in The Knife are revealed to be disappointingly shallow in retrospect, but high tension and palpable anxiety propel an interesting conversation piece, further enhanced by a scene-stealing Melissa Leo.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 22, 2025

Full Review

Eric Langberg

Everything's Interesting

While the limited scope and precise, talky dialogue make the movie feel like it could work as a play, Asomugha has chosen to shoot his film largely in closeup, and you simply can’t get the same effect on the stage.

Aug 22, 2025

Full Review

Louisa Moore

Screen Zealots

A thoughtful and deeply relevant exploration of race, class, and the blurred lines between truth and perception.

Aug 20, 2025

Full Review

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LC

Expected to see a horror film, and in a way, I was right! Had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

Full Review

Eric P

I have no doubt the situation in this film is an accurate illustration of what a family like this could face in this country I just don’t think this particular production ever gets off the ground. Wait until you can see it for free.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/20/25

Full Review

Juandi

I love that this movie feels very realistic. It also has the perfect running time not too long, not too short. The actors did a good job with setting the atmosphere.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/19/25

Full Review

CeCe

Too much talking not enough action and the ending part could've been better than what it was

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/18/25

Full Review

Lolita F

The movie felt incomplete. There unusual events that occurred throughout which did not seem realistic.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/17/25

Full Review

Chrissy G

I kept waiting for something to happen, and it never did.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/17/25

Full Review

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Nnamdi Asomugha

Director

Chijioke Asomugha

Director

Nnamdi Asomugha

Chris

Aja Naomi King

Alex

Melissa Leo

Detective Carlsen

Aiden Gabrielle Price

Ryley

Coast

62%

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Niki

44%

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Niki

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Dark Wind

80%

88%

Dark Wind

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Evor

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Synopsis

Blending gripping suspense, emotional depth, and sharp social commentary, The Knife tells the story of a young family whose world is thrown into chaos by the unexpected arrival of a stranger in their home. As the tension builds over one harrowing night, a determined detective races to uncover long-buried truths and the far-reaching consequences of past choices.

Director: Nnamdi Asomugha, Chijioke Asomugha
Producer: Nnamdi Asomugha, Jonathan Baker, Ami Werges
Screenwriter: Nnamdi Asomugha, Mark Duplass
Distributor: Relativity Media
Production Co: Iam21 Entertainment
Rating: R (Some Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 15, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 22m