John Knox, a hitman struggling with dementia, desperately seeks redemption. He partners with an individual of dubious character and must evade the law while battling his own declining mental state. His mission is to rescue his estranged son, who is caught in a cycle of self-destruction, before time runs out.
Does Knox Goes Away have end credit scenes?
No!
Knox Goes Away does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
Explore the complete cast of Knox Goes Away, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.
Michael Keaton
John 'Aristotle' Knox
James Marsden
Miles Knox
Al Pacino
Xavier Crane
Joanna Kulig
Annie
Anthony Molinari
Lela Loren
Cheryl Knox
Marcia Gay Harden
Jay Paulson
Detective Gelfuso
John Hoogenakker
Detective Rale
Kaleti Williams
Suzy Nakamura
Detective Emily Ikari
Chad Donella
Sarah Stark
Sasha Neboga
Ludmilla
Roberto Portales
Evan Shafran
Morgan Bastin
Marisa Echeverria
Discover where to watch Knox Goes Away online, including streaming platforms, rental options, and official sources. Compare reviews, ratings, and in-depth movie information across sites like IMDb, TMDb, Wikipedia or Rotten Tomatoes.
See how Knox Goes Away is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Knox Goes Away stands among top-rated movies in its genre.
Knox Goes Away presents a combination of assured performances and stylistic ambition anchored by Michael Keaton’s dual role as actor and director. While critics noted the film’s careful pacing and low-key tension, others pointed to narrative inconsistencies and sections where momentum flagged. Visually, its subdued noir palette and thoughtful production design create a distinct atmosphere, yet extended scenes occasionally lose focus. Character work, particularly Keaton’s layered take on a hitman facing dementia, remains a highlight. Overall, the film achieves moments of genuine intrigue but struggles to maintain sustained coherence.
The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Knox Goes Away
Art & Craft
In terms of direction and cinematography, Knox Goes Away displays moments of precise visual control under Michael Keaton’s guidance, with a deliberate noir palette and attentive production design. However, extended takes and subdued lighting occasionally dilute narrative momentum and create visibility issues. Editing rhythm varies between taut sequences and languid passages, leading to an uneven sense of pace. Overall, the film’s craft ambition is clear but inconsistently realized.
Character & Emotion
When it comes to acting and character depth, Michael Keaton delivers a layered portrayal of a hitman grappling with dementia, supported by strong contributions from Al Pacino and other ensemble members. Dialogue interplay often feels organic, and moments of emotional resonance emerge through nuanced performances. Yet some critics found character motivations underexplored and moral conflicts insufficiently examined. Ultimately, the cast’s strength elevates interpersonal stakes, though deeper arcs remain partially unresolved.
Story & Flow
In terms of narrative coherence and engagement, Knox Goes Away offers an intriguing premise that unfolds at a measured pace with thematic explorations of memory and redemption. While some applauded its twisty intelligence and emotional stakes, others pointed to plot inconsistencies and dissipating suspense. The mix of noir and drama is uneven, with certain segments feeling overextended. The story’s originality remains evident, but pacing and clarity issues undercut its potential.
Sensory Experience
When evaluating the sensory experience, Knox Goes Away embraces a subdued noir aesthetic supported by atmospheric sound design and strategic use of screen cards to denote time. The cinematography’s muted color palette and shadow-heavy framing enhance the film’s tension, though dim lighting sometimes obscures visual details. The score subtly underpins mood without drawing attention. Overall, the film’s audiovisual cohesion contributes to its contemplative tone, despite occasional visibility challenges.
Rewatch Factor
In terms of rewatch value, opinions on Knox Goes Away are mixed. Some viewers appreciate the film’s thematic depth and Keaton’s nuanced performance, suggesting enough intrigue for repeat viewings. Others find the pacing too deliberate and the suspense insufficiently sustained to warrant revisiting. The interplay of noir elements and character drama offers occasional rewards on a second watch, but narrative inconsistencies and slower sections may limit its lasting appeal.
54
Metascore
6.2
User Score
66%
TOMATOMETER
84%
User Score
7.0 /10
IMDb Rating
3.3
From 9 fan ratings
4.25/5
From 4 fan ratings
Challenge your knowledge of Knox Goes Away with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.
What is John Knox's profession?
Read the complete plot summary of Knox Goes Away, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.
As John Knox navigates the dreariness of his life as a contract killer under the command of the ruthless crime lord Xavier Crane, he grapples with a moral compass that seems increasingly out of alignment. His struggles intensify due to the fractured relationships with his estranged wife, Cheryl Knox, and son, Miles Knox. In the midst of this turmoil, he finds a fleeting refuge in Annie, a Cracovian immigrant who shares his love for literature, offering him a sliver of hope amidst the chaos.
However, life takes a grave turn as Knox receives a diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a relentless brain ailment that compels him to fast-track his exit from the contract killing world, preparing for an early retirement while wrestling with the reality of his dwindling days. Before he can make his escape, he is pulled into one last job alongside his partner, Thomas Muncie.
This fateful assignment spirals into catastrophic failure when Knox’s mental state, clouded by the onset of dementia, leads him to unwittingly eliminate both his target and Muncie. In a frantic effort to conceal the incident, he meticulously stages the scene and vanishes from the location. It is on this fateful night that he encounters Miles, who reveals he has taken a violent stand against a man who assaulted his daughter, Knox’s granddaughter.
Affected by his son’s anguish, Knox urges him to remain silent about the crime and subsequently returns to the scene, where he calculates each move to erase any trace that could implicate Miles. In this process, he cleverly pockets vital evidence for future use, showcasing a cunningness that starkly contrasts with his deteriorating moral fabric. Meanwhile, Detective Emily Ikari is relentless in her pursuit of justice for the two murders, determined to uncover the truth behind the chaos.
As Knox’s grip on reality continues to disintegrate, he embarks on a desperate quest for redemption, seeking assistance from Xavier Crane to ensure his family’s financial security while simultaneously distancing from his criminal past. As the detective’s investigation intensifies, she links the two murders to Knox and interrogates him, but he remains evasive.
In a breathtaking twist, Knox orchestrates a devious plot that leads to Miles being arrested for the murder of his daughter’s aggressor. During a charged meeting in prison, Knox accuses Miles of betraying him in a tax evasion case from years ago, amplifying his sense of paranoia and desperation.
As Knox’s mental decline deepens, he wanders through his family’s old cabin, searching for a stash of diamonds. Lost and disoriented, he is finally rescued by Crane, who brings him back home, where Knox finds himself amidst a dizzying array of burglars and a disturbed Annie, who now believes him to have abandoned her due to his dementia. In a chaotic fit of violence, Knox eradicates the threats but shocks Annie by chillingly stating she would have gotten her share of valuables anyway.
As Crane manipulates the unfolding events, he tips off Detective Ikari regarding Knox’s sinister deeds, culminating in Knox’s arrest. The investigation subsequently reveals the disconcerting possibility that Knox may have framed his own son, planting seeds of doubt in Miles’s mind.
When questioned, an introspective Miles recalls his father’s earlier accusations during their prison encounter and is consequently released. Weeks later, he visits Knox in prison, only to discover that his father’s mental state has deteriorated to the point where he fails to recognize him. As Knox approaches the end of his life, he is transferred to a medical facility, leaving in his wake a legacy riddled with deceit and treachery.
In the aftermath, Miles and his mother share Knox’s illicit wealth, ensuring they benefit from his convoluted retirement strategy. Annie inherits Knox’s extensive library, opening A Tale of Two Cities with a blend of curiosity and apprehension. The film concludes with a poignant image of a catatonic Knox gazing out into the world from his window—a powerful reminder of the chilling ramifications of unchecked dementia and the corrosive grip of avarice.
Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Knox Goes Away. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.
Explore all cars featured in Knox Goes Away, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.
Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Explore Our Movie Platform
New Movie Releases (2025)
Famous Movie Actors
Top Film Production Studios
Movie Plot Summaries & Endings
Major Movie Awards & Winners
Best Concert Films & Music Documentaries
© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.