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Thriller

Knocking (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Knocking (2021) movie poster

Knocking is a 2021 thriller directed by Frida Kempff, starring Cecilia Milocco as Molly, Ville Virtanen and Emil Almén. It runs 1 hour 18 minutes and earned $237,491 worldwide. Critics gave it 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
80%
worldwide gross
$237.5K
Echo Score
69
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Knocking (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 18m (78 min)
Director
Frida Kempff
Genre
Thriller
Original language
Swedish
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Knocking About?

The premise of Knocking without spoilers.

Haunted by a tragic past, Molly seeks a fresh start in a new apartment. However, unsettling occurrences quickly disrupt her peace – persistent knocking and terrifying screams echo through the building. When she turns to her neighbors for assistance, they deny witnessing anything, leaving Molly isolated and forced to confront the escalating terror by herself in this suspenseful thriller.

Knocking Themes & Keywords

· 21 tags
  • sweden
  • drowning
  • death of a lover
  • psychiatric hospital
  • apartment block
  • moving house
  • neighbor
  • police
  • paramedic
  • apartment manager
  • noise in the night
  • fire
+9 more
  • beach
  • lesbian
  • lgbtq
  • obsession
  • noise
  • reality vs fiction
  • no one believes the protagonist
  • title directed by female
  • woman
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Cast & crew

Knocking Cast & Characters

Cecilia Milocco leads the cast as Molly, with Ville Virtanen as Kaj and Emil Almén as Police. Directed by Frida Kempff; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Frida Kempff

More films directed by Frida Kempff: The Swedish Torpedo, Dear Kid and Bathing Micky.

Full filmography
Ratings

Knocking Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Knocking 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 69/100, strongest in character & emotion (82) and weakest in story & flow (60).

69 /100

Knocking Echo Score Breakdown

Knocking delivers a visually inventive horror experience anchored by a compelling central performance, but its narrative stretch and occasional pacing missteps limit broader impact. Critics highlight the film’s atmospheric craft and thematic ambition, while user feedback underscores a sense of inefficiency and an unsatisfying climax. The combined assessments suggest a film that offers strong artistic moments yet struggles with consistent storytelling and lasting rewatch appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film showcases moments of inventive cinematography and confident composition! Critics note visual ingenuity and a strong stylistic imprint, indicating robust artistic execution. However, a few reviewers point to uneven pacing that blurs the visual rhythm. Overall, the artistic components are solid and largely effective, though not uniformly polished.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    When evaluating character work, the lead performance stands out as nuanced and emotionally resonant, drawing consistent praise from critics for its depth and intensity. The portrayal of suppressed trauma is recognized as a strength, enhancing audience immersion. Minor user criticism touches on limited rapport, yet the prevailing sentiment affirms a powerful and engaging central character.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Regarding narrative structure, the plot is praised for its originality and perspective shifts, yet many note a sluggish runtime that undermines tension. Critics describe the story as occasionally muddled and overly simple, while user reviews emphasize inefficient storytelling and an unsatisfying twist. Consequently, the story registers as mixed, offering intriguing ideas but uneven execution.

  • Sensory Experience 74

    The sensory experience, encompassing sound design and visual atmosphere, receives commendation for its eerie tone and cohesive style. Reviewers highlight a haunting auditory palette and effective use of visual tension. Some user comments mention jarring shot choices, but the dominant perception is that the sensory elements significantly contribute to the film’s mood.

  • Rewatch Factor 68
Box office

Knocking Box Office

Knocking grossed $237,491 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$237.5K

International
$237.5K
Videos

Knocking Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 teasers.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser Sundance Teaser
  • Teaser UK teaser trailer
Details

Knocking Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “La maldición del bosque” and “Не стучи”.

Also known as
  • La maldición del bosque
  • Не стучи
  • The Knocking: La maldición del bosque
  • 敲
  • Śmierć przychodzi z lasu
  • Evil Forest
  • A kopogás

Seen Knocking?

FAQ

Knocking FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Knocking, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Knocking?

Knocking runs 1 hour 18 minutes (78 minutes).

When was Knocking released?

Knocking was released on October 8, 2021.

Who directed Knocking?

Knocking was directed by Frida Kempff.

More films by Frida Kempff

Who is in the cast of Knocking?

Knocking stars Cecilia Milocco as Molly, Ville Virtanen as Kaj and Emil Almén as Police, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Knocking make at the box office?

Knocking grossed $237,491 worldwide.

How is Knocking rated?

Knocking has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic and 56% on TMDB.

Does Knocking have a post-credit scene?

No. Knocking has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Knocking in?

The original language of Knocking is Swedish.

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