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Thriller

Knuckleball (2018): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Knuckleball (2018) movie poster

Knuckleball is a 2018 thriller directed by Michael Peterson, starring Kathleen Munroe as Mary, Chenier Hundal and Michael Ironside. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
83%
Echo Score
70
Metascore
55
Knuckleball (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Director
Michael Peterson
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Knuckleball About?

The premise of Knuckleball without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Isolated in a rural setting, a twelve-year-old boy finds his childhood innocence threatened when a disturbed man begins stalking him. As fear escalates, the young protagonist is forced to use his wits and bravery to evade the persistent threat and fight for his survival in a desperate situation.

Knuckleball Themes & Keywords

· 33 tags
  • farm
  • winter
  • snow
  • trap
  • maniac
  • death trap
  • snowstorm
  • boy
  • 12 year old
  • 12 year old boy
  • grandpa
  • grandfather
+21 more
  • grandfather grandson relationship
  • baseball
  • estranged grandfather
  • heart attack
  • death of grandfather
  • death
  • neighbor
  • cat
  • boy wears pajamas
  • knife
  • poison in drink
  • boy stabs a man
  • man tries to kill a boy
  • police
  • baseball bat
  • murdered with a baseball bat
  • threatened with a baseball bat
  • chained up woman
  • chained woman
  • shotgun
  • gun
Where to watch

Where to Watch Knuckleball

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Knuckleball Cast & Characters

Kathleen Munroe leads the cast as Mary, with Chenier Hundal as Paul and Michael Ironside as Jacob. Directed by Michael Peterson; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Knuckleball

· 6 more
Ratings

Knuckleball Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Knuckleball 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

70 /100

Knuckleball Echo Score Breakdown

Knuckleball delivers a tense and atmospheric thriller marked by strong technical elements but undercut by occasional narrative stretches. The film’s visual presentation captures snowbound landscapes in a stark and immersive manner, and the lead performances provide convincing emotional stakes. However, pacing dips in the second act and some plot turns strain credulity. Overall, Knuckleball maintains suspense and delivers engaging twists, but it struggles to leave a lasting impact on viewers.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of cinematography, Knuckleball presents striking snowbound vistas and tightly framed sequences that enhance the film’s claustrophobic tension. The editing maintains suspense through measured cuts, while production design conveys a realistic rural environment. Direction prioritizes atmosphere over visual flourish, resulting in a cohesive aesthetic. Overall, the technical craft supports the film’s eerie tone.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character depth, performances in Knuckleball are largely convincing, especially the resourceful child protagonist and the seasoned supporting cast. Emotional stakes are heightened by subtle expressions of fear and determination, though some behaviors occasionally stretch plausibility. Chemistry between cast members underlines familial bonds and tension. Overall, the acting offers relatable emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 70

    When evaluating plot coherence and engagement, Knuckleball delivers several effective twists that sustain audience interest and build suspense. The lean pacing in the first half enhances tension, though a slow second act and an implausible late development occasionally undermine narrative momentum. Originality is limited by familiar home invasion tropes. Overall, the story engages through measured suspense but shows uneven flow.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience, the score contributes significantly to the film’s eerie ambiance, and sound design amplifies sudden shocks and violent moments. Visual style remains consistent with a muted palette that reinforces cold isolation. However, reliance on musical cues can feel pronounced, exposing moments where tension wanes without the score. Overall, the audio-visual mix largely bolsters suspense.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    When considering rewatch value, Knuckleball offers compelling twists that encourage a second viewing and provoke discussion around unresolved questions. The tense atmosphere and moments of ingenuity remain engaging on repeat. However, uneven pacing and limited narrative depth reduce enduring appeal. Overall, the film provides moderate replay enjoyment but lacks substantial lasting power.

Plot

Knuckleball Plot Summary

What happens in Knuckleball from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 17 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Mary and Paul, striving to attend a funeral far from home, decide to leave their son Henry in the care of his grandfather, Jacob, on his secluded Canadian farm. The moment Mary arrives, she finds herself captivated by the barn—a haunting reminder of her mother’s tragic end, which followed her discovery of Jacob’s infidelity.

Once his parents depart, Henry engages in chores around the farm under Jacob’s watchful eye, who also takes the time to teach him how to throw a baseball. However, the peaceful day takes a turn when Henry encounters Jacob’s peculiar neighbor, Dixon. Just as Henry begins to warm up to Dixon, Jacob intervenes, displaying a protective instinct by reprimanding Dixon after an unexpected confrontation causes Jacob to strike him.

Full summary

The whole story of Knuckleball, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Knuckleball Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Knuckleball.

KNUCKLEBALL 2018 | Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Knuckleball?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is Henry's main caretaker while his parents are away?

Details

Knuckleball Also Known As

5 alternative titles, including “너클볼” and “Наклбол”.

Also known as
  • 너클볼
  • Наклбол
  • 웰컴 투 헬 하우스
  • 凛冬秘辛
  • Sozinho com o Inimigo

Seen Knuckleball?

FAQ

Knuckleball FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings and post-credit scenes of Knuckleball, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Knuckleball?

Knuckleball runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was Knuckleball released?

Knuckleball was released on October 5, 2018.

Who directed Knuckleball?

Knuckleball was directed by Michael Peterson.

More films by Michael Peterson

Who is in the cast of Knuckleball?

Knuckleball stars Kathleen Munroe as Mary, Chenier Hundal as Paul and Michael Ironside as Jacob, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Knuckleball?

In the US, Knuckleball is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at Home Free and Fawesome and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How is Knuckleball rated?

Knuckleball has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does Knuckleball have a post-credit scene?

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

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