(L-R) Angela Sarafyan as Willow and Mathew Gray Gubler as Thorn in the horror/comedy KING KNIGHT, an XYZ Films release. Photo courtesy of XYZ Films.
Synopsis
Thorn (CRIMINAL MINDS’ Matthew Gray Gubler) and Willow appear to have it all as the revered high priest and priestess of a coven of new age witches. But a secret from Thorn’s past throws their lives into turmoil and sends them on a trippy, hilarious journey.
Few things are funnier than movies that take relatively simple problems deadly seriously, mining comedy gold out of seemingly mundane situations. And King Knight does just that. Written and directed by Richard Bates Jr., King Knight is a self-serious, gut-bustingly hilarious watch from start to finish. Featuring a pitch-perfect performance from Matthew Gray Gubler, a surprisingly relatable story, some trippy visuals, and an endless barrage of gags, King Knight offers a mystical journey of self-discovery that’s well worth a watch. It’s a little slow at first, and it’s definitely not gonna be for everyone, but those who love these kinds of quirky comedies will fall head-over-heels for it.
An Absurd Tale…
Thorn (Gubler) has everything he wants – his own business; a loving partner, Willow (Angela Sarafyan); and a devoted coven of fellow witches and wizards. But inside, he harbors a secret. A secret that could tear apart the very fabric of his life. In high school, Thorn wasn’t a social outcast at all. Instead, he was – gasp – popular! And when Willow discovers this secret, Thorn’s life is thrown into disarray, sending him on a journey of self-discovery. Who is he, really, and how does he reconcile his past with his present? As for the coven, can they allow themselves to be led by an abject liar? And if not, who are they without Thorn? King Knight is as enjoyable as it is ridiculous, despite getting off to a slightly slow start. It’s such a silly premise taken to its most absurd levels, but that’s what makes it work so well.
…That’s Surprisingly Grounded and Relatable
Bates Jr. makes the right call in treating such a bizarre and absurd premise with the utmost sincerity and seriousness. King Knight isn’t one of those movies caked underneath layers of sarcasm and cynicism. Instead, it proudly wears its heart on its sleeve, cheesiness and all. And somehow, it works really well. This comes down, in large part, to how well-written the characters are and how brilliant the cast is. Considering how farcical King Knight is, it would’ve been easy for things to go wildly out of control. But the other members of Thorn and Willow’s coven – Percival (Andy Milonakis), Rowena (Kate Comer), Angus (Nelson Franklin), Echo (Emily Chang), Desmond (Johnny Pemberton), and Neptune (Josh Fadem) – help keep things grounded. The entire cast is just so dedicated to playing everything as straight as possible, and that’s where a lot of the comedy comes from.
When faced with Thorn’s seemingly simple and inconsequential lie, everyone reacts as if the world is ending. Willow wails in agony after learning what sport Thorn played and most of the coven loudly calls for Thorn’s immediate banishment. But there’s not an ounce of sarcasm here, no winks to the camera. Only full-throated, genuine commitment to the bit. And it works brilliantly. There’s never a dull moment. Around every corner is some outrageous or understated bit of humor, but it never feels too over-the-top. It’s always grounded by these characters, all of whom feel real and relatable. While Thorn’s journey towards self-acceptance certainly takes up most of the film, every character has their own smaller journey. And it’s so satisfying watching them all come to terms with themselves.
A Relatable Story Doused in Trippy Visuals
At its heart, though, underneath the layers of ridiculousness, King Knight tells a really sweet, deeply relatable story about learning to accept all aspects of yourself – those bits you’re proudest of and those you’d rather do without. It’s a journey that’s hard to portray onscreen dynamically, given how inherently internal a conflict it is. But Gubler and Bates Jr. manage to bring that conflict to life spectacularly. As Thorn, Gubler perfectly straddles the line between realistic and over-the-top. He’s self-absorbed to a fault and takes everything way too seriously, which is what makes you root for him. Gubler’s natural charisma helps sell Thorn’s ability to attract these other people to his circle while his vulnerability sells Thorn’s character arc. Gubler’s performance is never maudlin or too cheesy, always striking that perfect note. And he’s delightful to watch.
Then there are Bates Jr.’s visuals. Much has been said about the film’s trippiness – I mean, the trailer even features a pull quote referencing them. However, I think it’s important to stress that this isn’t a movie focusing on mind-bending visuals and storylines. It just uses the occasional out-of-this-world imagery to emphasize Thorn’s journey towards authenticity. On his walk, Thorn hallucinates visions of talking pinecones (Aubrey Plaza) and rocks (Alice Glass), grumpy cops out to get him, and even an entire conversation with everyone’s favorite wizard, Merlin (Ray Wise). All of these moments are exactly as fun as they sound – and an absolute feast for the eyes. The script and the characters might be taking the plot seriously, but Bates Jr.’s visuals show a kind of playfulness that acts as a nice balance to that seriousness. And that combination works remarkably well.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, King Knight is a gut-bustingly funny, surprisingly touching film. It’s a celebration of authenticity, but one that’s unafraid to luxuriate in the humor that comes with such authenticity. Anchored by a ridiculous, often-witty script, some genuinely impressive performances, and some endlessly creative visuals, King Knight is sure to delight those drawn to such quirky, irreverent movies. After all, who doesn’t love a good, wholesome romp?
Rating: 4.5/5
King Knight premieres digitally and in select theaters on February 17.
Director: Richard Bates Jr.
Writer: Richard Bates Jr.
Producers: Rob Higginbotham, Colin Tanner, Richard Bates Jr.
Executive Producers: Brit DeLillo, Shaheen Seth, Leigh Poindexter
Starring: Matthew Gray Gubler, Angela Sarafyan, Andy Milonakis, Kate Comer, Johnny Pemberton, Josh Fadem, Nelson Franklin, Emily Chang
Rated: NR
Runtime: 1h 21m
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Part-time writer, part-time theatre nerd, full-time dork.
