On our list of “actors who we’d like to have a beer with,”Michael Keatonis pretty close to the top. The legendary star not only undoubtedly has someinsanestories to tell about his time in the industry working with a multitude offamously eccentric names, but he also just seems like the kind of guy who you could sit down with at a dive bar and order the beer and shot special and have a good heart-to-heart. Along with the likes ofNicolas CageandJeff Goldblum, we’d consider Keaton to be a national treasure, which is why we’re thrilled to see his latest directorial effort,Knox Goes Away, is currently sitting at the #1 spot at Max.
Holding onto a63% on Rotten Tomatoes, there’s a lot to like about the crime thriller in which Keaton also stars. The movie also features leading performances fromJames Marsden(Jury Duty),Suzy Nakamura(Dead to Me),Joanna Kulig(She Came to Me),Ray McKinnon(Sons of Anarchy),Al Pacino(The Godfather),John Hoogenakker(Waco: The Aftermath), and more.
Keaton’sJohn Knox is ready to retire from the game- the game being contract killing. He based his life on taking the lives of others, but now he’s ready to enjoy his twilight years doing things thatnormalpeople do, like crocheting or whatever. But, the cruel twists of life aren’t quite done with Knox yet, as he’s diagnosed with a rapid case of dementia. To make matters worse, his adult son is in some trouble with the worst kinds of people, forcing Knox to snap into action, pick up his gun, and get back to work even as his memory fails him. Not only does the movie feature Keaton as a hired killer, but it also putsPacino back to his criminal drama rootsas well.
Michael Keaton’s Filmmaking Background
Knox Goes Awayisn’t the first time that Keaton’s stepped behind the camera to take a swing at forming a creative vision. Sure, some time has passed between 2009’s neo-noir flickThe Merry Gentlemanand his new crime thriller, but some might say that directing is like riding a bike — especially when your main character in both projects (whom you’re also playing)is a hit man. We’re seeing a theme building here.
Beyond his appearance inKnox Goes Away, the Keaton fandom is dying with anticipation day after day for the release ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, which puts the actor back in the role of the grubby little demon in a sequel more than three decades in the making. Reunited with his old palsWinona RyderandCatherine O’Hara, as well as some new-to-the-story faces likeJenna OrtegaandJustin Theroux, Keaton dons his black and white suit all over again when the film slithers into cinemas on September 6.
Check out Keaton in all of his hitman glory asKnox Goes Awayis now streaming on Max.
Knox Goes Away
When a contract killer has a rapidly evolving form of dementia, he is offered an opportunity to redeem himself by saving the life of the adult son with whom he had been estranged.
