Don't Knock Twice

Don't Knock Twice is a 2016 horror movie directed by Caradog W. James and starring Katee Sackhoff, Lucy Boynton, and Richard Mylan. The film is about a troubled mother who tries to reconnect with her estranged daughter after years apart, but unwittingly becomes embroiled in a supernatural mystery that threatens to consume them both.

The movie begins with a brief introduction to Jess (Katee Sackhoff), a sculptor whose life has been plagued by addiction and personal demons. After years apart, Jess decides to reconnect with her daughter, Chloe (Lucy Boynton), who has been living in a remote house in the countryside with her adoptive parents. Chloe is initially hesitant to see Jess, but eventually relents and allows her to visit the house.

During her stay, Jess discovers that Chloe has become deeply involved in a strange urban legend surrounding a witch who is said to haunt the local area. According to the legend, if you knock twice on the door of the witch's old house, she will come for you and take you away forever. Despite dismissing the myth as mere superstition, Jess soon finds herself embroiled in a nightmare when Chloe disappears following a game of 'knock twice' with her friends.

As Jess delves deeper into the mystery of the witch, she uncovers a dark and disturbing truth behind the legend. The witch, it seems, is not just a myth, but a very real entity that has been terrorizing the local community for years. With the help of her estranged husband, Ben (Richard Mylan), Jess sets out to find Chloe and put an end to the witch's reign of terror before it's too late.

The movie is a classic horror tale of a mother's love for her daughter pitted against otherworldly forces beyond her control. It is a slow-burning affair, building tension and unease as the characters become more and more involved in the witch's malevolent plans. The performances are strong, with Katee Sackhoff in particular shining as the troubled but determined Jess. Lucy Boynton also impresses as Chloe, imbuing the character with a fragile vulnerability that only serves to heighten the tension.

The movie is well-paced, with plenty of scares and moments of palpable dread. The witch herself is a terrifying creation, a shadowy figure that seems to be everywhere and nowhere all at once. The cinematography is also impressive, capturing the eerie beauty of the British countryside while also creating a sense of claustrophobia and unease within the walls of the house.

Overall, Don't Knock Twice is a solid horror movie that delivers on the scares while also providing an emotionally resonant story of a mother's love and redemption. It may not revolutionize the genre, but it is a well-crafted and effective movie that will leave audiences spooked and satisfied.