King Knight (2022): Cast, Ratings & Plot
King Knight is a 2022 comedy horror film directed by Richard Bates Jr., starring Matthew Gray Gubler as Thorn, Angela Sarafyan and Johnny Pemberton. It runs 1 hour 21 minutes. Critics gave it 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 30 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 21m (81 min)
- Director
- Richard Bates Jr.
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- XYZ Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is King Knight About?
The premise of King Knight without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A darkly comedic horror film, King Knight follows Thorn, a charismatic leader whose life with his partner Willow is unexpectedly disrupted by a hidden truth from his past. As a long-buried secret resurfaces, the couple finds themselves on a bizarre and humorous journey where the boundaries of reality and the supernatural become increasingly blurred, testing their relationship and challenging everything they thought they knew.
King Knight Themes & Keywords
· 2 tags- past
- secret
King Knight Cast & Characters
Matthew Gray Gubler leads the cast as Thorn, with Angela Sarafyan as Willow and Johnny Pemberton as Desmond. Directed by Richard Bates Jr.; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director Richard Bates Jr.
-
Matthew Gray Gubler as Thorn -
Angela Sarafyan as Willow -
Johnny Pemberton as Desmond -
Josh Fadem as Neptune
Also Starring in King Knight
· 8 more- Kate Comer Rowena
- Andy Milonakis Percival
- Nelson Franklin Angus
- Emily Chang Echo
- Barbara Crampton Ruth
- Ray Wise Merlin
- Swati Kapila Alexandra
- Ronnie Gene Blevins Grant
More from Richard Bates Jr.
More films directed by Richard Bates Jr., best-rated first: Tone-Deaf, Trash Fire, Suburban Gothic and Excision.
King Knight Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave King Knight 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 30 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in character & emotion (55) and weakest in sensory experience (40).
King Knight Echo Score Breakdown
King Knight presents a patchwork of ambitions that ultimately struggle to coalesce. The film offers occasional moments of quirky charm, particularly in Ray Wise's performance and its low-budget audacity, yet these are eclipsed by uneven pacing, clunky dialogue, and a narrative that feels aimlessly stretched. While some viewers detect a heartfelt ode to authenticity, the overall experience remains inconsistent, leaving the movie more forgettable than memorable.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 45
In terms of direction and visual execution, the film feels undercooked and uneven. Critics note a meandering structure and overlong sequences that suggest a lack of disciplined editing. The low-budget aesthetic contributes to a raw, sometimes amateurish look, though occasional inventive shots surface. Overall, the craftsmanship feels modest, limiting the film's artistic impact.
- Character & Emotion 55
When it comes to character work, performances oscillate between earnest and flat. Ray Wise receives praise for his quirky presence, and the central themes of authenticity resonate for some viewers. Conversely, dialogue is described as imbecilic and casting choices confusing, undermining depth. The net impression is a mixed character landscape with moments of genuine emotional resonance.
- Story & Flow 45
The story’s coherence suffers from scattered comedic set‑pieces and a lack of narrative thrust. Critics highlight meandering diversions and an overlong sitcom‑like feel, while a few acknowledge an underlying concept about kinship and spirituality. The pacing is uneven, and the plot rarely sustains momentum, resulting in a largely unsatisfying storytelling experience.
- Sensory Experience 40
Sensory elements receive limited attention, with the soundtrack and sound design barely noted. The low‑budget production yields a modest visual style that some find oddly delightful, yet overall the sensory polish is thin. The film’s auditory and visual cohesion does not significantly enhance the viewing experience.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Rewatch value is mixed; a subset of viewers find the film’s quirky humor and heartfelt moments enjoyable on repeat viewings. Positive remarks about its “weird delight” and occasional laughs suggest some replay appeal. However, many argue the movie lacks lasting impact and narrative depth, reducing its incentive for multiple watches.
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IMDb 5.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 75% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 33%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 30 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 56% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.0 /5
5 ratings
See on Letterboxd
King Knight Plot Summary
What happens in King Knight from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As the esteemed leaders of their Wiccan coven, Thorn and Willow form a harmonious duo, offering couples therapy to a diverse group of members, such as Desmond and Neptune, Percival and Rowena, as well as Angus and Echo. However, Thorn’s unyielding desire to start a family often clashes with Willow’s hesitations regarding parenthood, resulting in a delicate balance in their relationship.
Full summary
The whole story of King Knight, scene by scene
King Knight Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.
- Teaser King Knight - Official Teaser
How Well Do You Know King Knight?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What type of spiritual group does Thorn lead?
King Knight Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Король-рыцарь” and “킹 나이트”.
- Also known as
-
- Король-рыцарь
- 킹 나이트
- 王之骑士
Seen King Knight?
Movies Like King Knight
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Knight Chills, Stagknight and King in the Box.
King Knight FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of King Knight, each answered in a sentence.
How long is King Knight?
King Knight runs 1 hour 21 minutes (81 minutes).
When was King Knight released?
King Knight was released on February 17, 2022.
Who directed King Knight?
King Knight was directed by Richard Bates Jr.
More films by Richard Bates Jr. Who is in the cast of King Knight?
King Knight stars Matthew Gray Gubler as Thorn, Angela Sarafyan as Willow and Johnny Pemberton as Desmond, among 12 credited actors.
How is King Knight rated?
King Knight has 5.1/10 on IMDb, 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, 30 on Metacritic and 56% on TMDB.
Does King Knight have a post-credit scene?
No. King Knight has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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