The Knife
August 13th, 2025
MOVIE: THE KNIFE
STARRING: NNAMDI ASOMUGHA, MELISSA LEO, AJA NAOMI KING, MANNY JACINTO
DIRECTED BY: NNAMDI ASOMUGHA
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 ½ STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: R
RUN TIME: 82 MINUTES
In Freaky Friday, Jamie Lee Curtis’s character delivers that classic line: “Make good choices.” It’s an obvious statement, but it might just be the motto we all need to repeat to ourselves. I catch myself saying it to my son. And while I know it won’t always register, I say it anyway.
In first-time director Nnamdi Asomugha’s The Knife, that very idea—choice—is at the heart of the story. In an instant, a seemingly clear-cut situation can spiral into a complicated mess. It’s the choices certain characters make that shift the film’s direction, transforming it into a tense, thought-provoking drama that cuts deep.
The story begins with a family. Chris (Asomugha) is a devoted father, tucking in his two daughters—Kendra (Amari Alexis Price) and Ryley (Aiden Gabrielle Price)—telling them a bedtime story, putting the baby down, and calling it a night. His wife, Alex (Aja Naomi King), a nurse, is already asleep. Chris works in construction, and with both parents juggling long shifts while caring for an infant, exhaustion is a constant.
Then, a loud noise downstairs wakes Chris. He investigates and finds what appears to be a homeless person in the kitchen. There’s a confrontation—but what exactly happens remains unclear. What we do know is that the intruder ends up on the floor, stabbed, with a knife lying beside them.
What follows is the central tension of The Knife: the fallout of a split-second decision. Detective Carlsen (Melissa Leo, in a standout performance) arrives on the scene to assess the situation. Her investigation slowly divides the family. The screenplay, co-written by Asomugha and Mark Duplass, is less interested in the surface-level facts than in the murky depths of truth. For some viewers, the truth will seem obvious—but the script intentionally obscures it, encouraging debate and moral reflection.
It’s fascinating to watch how people behave in moments of fear and desperation. We’re placed in a heartbreaking scenario where one side feels like the obvious choice—until it doesn’t. The Knife becomes a compact, contemporary echo of 12 Angry Men, where the “right” answer might not be the easiest one to accept.
Beyond its sharp writing and powerful performances, The Knife impresses with its tight, claustrophobic atmosphere. The limited setting and modest budget are strengths, not limitations, evoking the feel of a stage play, with rooms serving as battlegrounds and characters emotionally cornered. From the start, it’s clear that Asomugha is a director to watch—regardless of budget, genre, or cast.
The Knife is riveting—an adult, intelligent thriller we don’t see enough of. It’s a film that lands with impact, lingering long after the final frame, and challenging us to consider what we would do when the stakes are at their highest.
3 ½ STARS
THE KNIFE IS PLAYING IN SELECT THEATERS FRIDAY, AUGUST 15TH, 2025.
Written by: Leo Brady
