They Come Knocking

They Come Knocking is an engaging supernatural horror film from 2019. The movie is directed by Adam Mason and is part of Hulu's Into the Dark anthology. The film features Clayne Crawford in the main lead, accompanied by Josephine Langford and Lia McHugh. This screen-fright guarantees a unique blend of suspense, drama, and mystery that will keep the audience at the edge of their seat while exploring the themes of loss, family bonds, and inevitability of facing the past.

The story revolves around Crawford who portrays the character of a recently widowed father, Nathan. Still grappling with the loss of his wife, he decides to take his two daughters, Clair (Josephine Langford) and Maggie (Lia McHugh), on a road trip to the desert, aiming to disconnect from their regular life and to rekindle their bond. His intention is to bring the family closer together, and cynical Clair, still grieving their mother, somehow agrees. Youthful Maggie, on the other hand, is unsuspecting and excited about the adventure that awaits them.

As they embark on their journey, they come across an abandoned trailer in the middle of the desert. Against his better judgment, Nathan allows the girls to explore around. This seemingly simplistic plot takes a drastic turn into the eerie when they start to receive knocks on their door and windows out of nowhere. The inexplicable knocking slowly progresses into something far more terrifying and supernatural. Soon it becomes clear that they are not alone and something ominous is lingering around them.

One of the movie’s strengths is how it manages to utilize the eeriness of the deserted landscapes and the confined space of the family's trailer to heighten the tension and unease. With power-packed performances, the actors distinctly portray their horrifying journey while coping with the emotional turmoil of their past. Clayne Crawford’s acting skills shine as he transitions from a grieving husband into a protective father, desperate to save his family from the unknown. Josephine Langford and Lia McHugh also give compelling performances, deftly portraying the transformation from naive children into fearless fighters while wrestling with their personal grief and fears.

What sets They Come Knocking aside from other conventional horror flicks is its devotion to layered storytelling. It combines the elements of horror and mystery with a poignant narrative of a family dealing with loss. While the narrative is undeniably spooky, the exploration of each character’s pain and resilience adds a profound depth to the story. At its heart, it’s a narrative on how we deal with loss, grief, and moving forward, which is brilliantly woven into the fabric of a horror film.

The direction of Adam Mason has left no stone unturned to create an oppressive sense of dread that allows suspense to build naturally rather than relying solely on jump scares. The cinematography is spectacular, managing to make the deserted landscapes feel both incredibly beautiful and incredibly haunting. The sound design and the score also add to the overall atmosphere and tension in the movie.

They Come Knocking is not simply a horror movie but a character-driven experience that unravels a story line darker and deeper than what appears at the surface. With convincing performances and a haunting atmosphere, the film keeps you hooked right until the end. It plays well with the elements of supernatural horror feeding off of the desolation of the desert location with a looming threat that remains unexplained.

In conclusion, They Come Knocking is a well-executed supernatural horror film that juggles the elements of suspense, drama, mystery, and familial emotions. If you appreciate a contemporary horror story mingling with strong emotional narrative then this film hits the right chord. Rest assured, this movie will have you gripping your seat, as you become immersed in their terrifying journey.