On July 21st, Vertical released "Natty Knocks," a horror film that marks the return of director Dwight H. Little to feature-length horror for the first time since 1988's "Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers." This movie boasts a cast of well-known horror names, including Robert Englund, Danielle Harris, and Bill Moseley. However, while "Natty Knocks" attempts to weave various horror tropes into its narrative, it often falls short of its intended goals.
The film's premise centers around a small town's legend of an accused witch's lynching in the 1970s, catalyzing a series of nasty events almost half a century later. An unsuspecting, dysfunctional family becomes entangled in the unfolding danger. The ve Read more...
On July 21st, Vertical released "Natty Knocks," a horror film that marks the return of director Dwight H. Little to feature-length horror for the first time since 1988's "Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers." This movie boasts a cast of well-known horror names, including Robert Englund, Danielle Harris, and Bill Moseley. However, while "Natty Knocks" attempts to weave various horror tropes into its narrative, it often falls short of its intended goals.
The film's premise centers around a small town's legend of an accused witch's lynching in the 1970s, catalyzing a series of nasty events almost half a century later. An unsuspecting, dysfunctional family becomes entangled in the unfolding danger. The very foundation of the story, which revolves around witch burnings in small-town America during the 1970s, feels implausible. Nevertheless, viewers are asked to accept it as the driving force behind the story.
One of the significant issues with "Natty Knocks" is its inability to evoke genuine fear. Additionally, the dialogue often needs more depth. Nonetheless, the film manages to salvage itself through the chemistry displayed by the central family unit. Single mother Diane (played by Danielle Harris), her older son Wyatt (Thomas Robie), and young daughter Jolie (Channah Zeitung) are the central characters. Their interactions with babysitter Brit (Charlotte Fountain-Jardim) add charm to the otherwise uneven narrative.
The movie's tonal shift leans heavily towards a teen horror film rather than a genuinely serious horror story, often reminiscent of something akin to "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" Predictable twists and a somewhat underwhelming payoff contribute to the movie's slow pacing, ultimately frustrating audiences.
Nevertheless, "Natty Knocks" does boast a saving grace in its casting and performances. Bill Moseley, known for his intimidating presence in films like Rob Zombie's works, excels in a mostly speechless role. His non-verbal acting skills add a layer of genuine creepiness to the film, and his ability to switch from menacing to inconspicuous town cop is commendable. Horror legend Robert Englund makes a supporting appearance, offering much-needed exposition to the storyline. Danielle Harris, who had previously worked with director Dwight H. Little in "Halloween 4" 35 years earlier, delivers a solid performance as the struggling single mother. These seasoned actors elevate the film, making it more watchable than it would have been with a lesser cast. Indian television actor Amit Sarin also provides strong support in his limited screen time.
In the end, "Natty Knocks" struggles to find its identity. It attempts to blend elements of a ghost story, slasher film, and teen horror movie, but it needs to excel in these categories. A more substantial commitment to one specific genre or a more campy approach to complement the film's youthful protagonists may have resulted in a more cohesive and enjoyable experience. While it's not a terrible film, it also falls short of being considered good. It owes much of its watchability to the talented actors who could elevate the material. Given all this, "Natty Knocks" gets an acceptable "would reccommend" rating from All Horror.
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6.0
