Summary
Directed byBatmanactor Michael Keaton,Knox Goes Awayis an unusual crime thriller that’s bolstered by a solid ensemble cast of characters.Keaton, who also co-produced the film, stars as John “Aristotle” Knox, a book-loving contract killerwho’s estranged from his wife, Ruby Knox (Marcia Gay Harden), and his adult son, Miles Knox (James Marsden). John Knox’s best friend and hitman partner, Thomas “Tommy” Muncie (Ray McKinnon), becomes concerned when Knox suddenly leaves town on a personal errand. While away, Knox learns that he has a fast-movingform of dementia called Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.
With just a few weeks left to live, Knox makes arrangements to cash out and retire from the contract-killer business. However, before calling it quits, Knox takes one more job from the crime boss, Jericho. While on assignment with Tommy, John accidentally shoots and kills his partner. Knox’s circumstances only get more complicated when Miles shows up, frantic and afraid after killing the man who assaulted his teenage daughter. InMichael Keaton’s underrated thriller,Knox sets out to evade the suspicions of Detective Emily Ikari (Suzy Nakamura) and secure his retirement fundsbefore his disease takes over.
Michael Keaton As John “Aristotle” Knox
Date Of Birth: June 12, 2025
Character:Estranged from his wife and adult son, John Knox is a contract killer who’s diagnosed with a fast-moving form of dementia called Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, which prompts him to want out of his line of work inMichael Keaton’s action thriller with an 83%from Rotten Tomatoes' audiences.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Adrian Toomes / Vulture
Actor:Known for his leading roles in a wide variety of genre films, Michael Keaton is perhaps best-known for playing characters like Batman and Beetlejuice. An Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner, Keaton has been nominated for Oscars and a BAFTA. His more recent projects includeBirdman,Dopesick, andThe Flash— in which he played Batman once again.
James Marsden As Miles Knox
Date Of Birth: July 18, 2025
Character:Miles suddenly shows up on his father’s doorstep, tearfully asking for help because he killed a man who assualted his daughter (John’s granddaughter).
The Notebook
Lon Hammond
Actor:After guest starring in ’90s shows likeSaved by the Bell: The New ClassandParty of Five, James Marsden gained wide-spread fame for his portrayal of Cyclops in theX-Menmovies. Marsden has gone on to land roles in projects likeThe Notebook,Enchanted,Westworld,Dead to Me, and the more recent docu-comedyJury Duty, in which he plays himself.
Suzy Nakamura As Detective Emily Ikari
Date Of Birth: June 07, 2025
Character:A determined detective, Emily Ikari gets involved in two murder cases — one committed by Miles and the other by John Knox.
Dr. Ken
Allison Park
Actor:An acclaimed improv comedian and actor, Suzy Nakamura has had starring roles inDr. KenandAvenue 5, as well as guest appearances on sitcoms likeAccording to Jim,Half and Half,8 Simple Rules,Curb Your Enthusiasm, andHow I Met Your Mother. While Nakamura has also landed dramatic roles (The West Wing),Knox Goes Awayis definitely a departure from her traditional fare.
Ray McKinnon As Thomas Muncie
Date Of Birth: June 05, 2025
Character:Alongside Knox, Thomas “Tommy” Muncie is a contract killer employed by the mysterious crime boss Jericho. In many ways, he’s Knox’s best friend.
Dopesick
Jerry Mallum
Actor:A recognizable character actor, Ray McKinnon has appeared in big-name projects likeO Brother, Where Art Thou?,Apollo 13,The Blindside,Deadwood,Sons of Anarchy, andFear the Walking Dead, among many others. Alongside his wife, Lisa Blount, and actor Walton Goggins, McKinnon founded the production company behind the Oscar-winningThe Accountant.
Marcia Gay Harden As Ruby Knox
Date Of Birth: June 18, 2025
Character:Ruby is Knox’s estranged wife and Miles' mother, who has a minor role in the film’s ending.
Mystic River
Celeste Boyle
Actor:After her breakthrough role in the Coen brothers' filmMiller’s Crossing, Marcia Gay Harden won an Oscar for her portrayal of the artist Lee Krasner inPollock. Her other well-regarded and well-known projects includeThe First Wives Club,Mystic River,Mona Lisa Smile,The Newsroom, andHow to Get Away With Murder.
Al Pacino As Xavier Crane
Date Of Birth: June 23, 2025
Character:A former thief and friend of Knox’s, Xavier Crane helps John come up with a plan to set his family up for life and evade Detective Ikari’s suspicions for the murders.
Scent of a Woman
You Don’t Know Jack
Dr. Jack Kevorkian
Actor:An acclaimed stage and screen actor, the Oscar-winning Al Pacino has appeared in classics such asScent of a Woman,Serpico,The Godfathermovies, andScarface. For his TV roles inAngels in AmericaandYou Don’t Know Jack, Pacino won Golden Globes.
Knox Goes Away Review: Keaton Directs & Stars In Overly Ambitious Thriller
With great performances all around & a well-intentioned script that is creative & overly ambitious, Knox Goes Away is compelling in its own right.
Other Members Of Knox Goes Away’s Cast
Michael Keaton’s Crime Thriller Features A Large Ensemble
Joanna Kulig as Annie:An acclaimed actor in the Polish cinema scene, Kulig has appeared in the Academy Award-winningIdaas well as TV series likeHannaandMasters of the Air.
John Hoogenakker as Detective Rale:Hoogenakker has appeared in a wide variety of TV projects, includingChicago Fire,Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,Castle Rock, andDopesick.
Lela Loren as Cheryl Knox:Despite film roles inThe Hangover Part IIIandReign Over Me, Loren’s most well-known works includeAltered CarbonandPower.
Dennis Dugan as Philo Jones:Behind the scenes, Dugan is most well-known for his partnership with Adam Sandler, for whom he directed many films, includingHappy Gilmore,Big Daddy, andThe Benchwarmers, among many others.
Jay Paulson as Detective Gelfuso:A relative newcomer, Paulson appeared in George Clooney’s remake ofCatch-22as well as AMC’sMad Men.
Paul Perri as Dr. Burns:Best known for genre films likeHellraiser: BloodlineandManhunter, Perri has appeared in tons of TV projects too, fromGrey’s AnatomytoPrison Break.
Chad Donella as Jordan Moore:After getting his start on the stage, Donella appeared in TV classics likeThe X-Files,Smallville,CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,NCIS, andLost, though his more recent projects includeBlindspotandScandal.
As of July 2024,Knox Goes Awayis streaming on Max.
Knox Goes Away
Michael Keaton stars in and directs Knox Goes Away, a crime-thriller film that initially premiered in 2023 at the Toronto International Film Festival. John Knox, a hitman, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of dementia. After his new condition causes one of his contract jobs to go wrong, he decides to retire - until his son appears at his door, having committed a crime he has no way out of. Racing against time, Knox utilizes his skills and connections to save his son before dementia completely takes hold of his mind.
