If you're taking time out of your day to scroll to the reviews section, chances are you are a Film Riot fan like myself. This man puts out great quality videos aimed to solely help filmmakers of all skill levels for FREE on their YouTube channel. This short has gorgeous camera movement.
I mean, take pity on this short, there is no underdogs here, there's big time equipment being used, men and women with high skill level, and they all have eyes set on them to deliver. But do they?
No, like Ballistic, it falls short.
It's wise to mention this a condensed version of a feature film they are aiming to make, rather get funds for. That's a great idea and it has worked for many projects in the past, I just think this project was too weak. It without a doubt reminded me of the Black Mirror episode Be Right Back (who did it unimaginably better, though also flawed). So to me then just translates to a been there done that scenario.
Let's get into the main piece of this short, the door. Our female lead loses a weird looking key down the bottom of this mysterious awesome looking door from inside her home while she's setting it up and is somehow unable to walk outside through another structure opening to retrieve it. (If this makes no sense, it's because it doesn't.) But don't dwell on it too much because the key reappears magically. Not to spoil anything, but the ending was cringe-worthy, anticlimactic, and obvious just like that god-awful hilarious title name. I wish these talented people the best of the best, they deserve big budget projects, I just hope this isn't one of them. I encourage new viewers to still watch this and all other works by this team including Justin Robinson's Guest of Honor which I am a big fan of. Shoot. Edit. Repeat. is their motto. Just gotta keep trying, with heads up.
15 Reviews
Succeeds in terms of atmosphere and story
Horst_In_Translation7 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
"There Comes a Knocking" is an American live action short film from 2019, actually only 10 days since its release. This has scored over 100k views already on Youtube since then, which is definitely a success. But not too surprising given the director is Ryan Connolly and has has proved for years that he is a rock-solid horror short film director and I wonder when he will finally get the offer to direct a Hollywood horror movie. Not now and as long as hhe is delivering quality stuff like this one here, all is good. It runs for under 10 minutes and 2 of these are closing credits, a bit much admittedly. Luckily, there are not too many weaknesses before that. The background story with the lost love works nicely and everything linked to the horror componnet does so too. I am of course talking about the mysterious door and the sounds that come from behind it. The fact that Connolly included the "get help by professionals) component as he has the main character call for help early on was also a good idea and helps the film to feel more realistic. Also while watching I thought that I am really glad I am not this woman because the scenario with these sounds is indeed really creepy. The loud noise from behind the door as she moves closer was a good addition too. It's not a cheap thrill. Nothing unspired. Not by any means luckily. The ending then with John (or whoever he really may be) returning and we only see his back in the chair I liked too. Actually, this is how it could have ended. Seeing this horrific creature instead did not do too much for me and if there is anything for me to criticize about this film, then this would be it. But it's all good. Not an outstanding movie, but a strong lead performance (she's a really good crier), a good script, nice sound effects and a haunting atmosphere as well as a nice sountrack turn this one into a good watch for every audience member that does not despise horror films. I think you should check this one out. I give it a thumbs-up.
Gorgeous Yet Lacking
otherdangers5 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoy the visual aesthetic of this short however it doesn't have any element to set it apart from the rest. The idea of a cursed door possibly creating another world on the other side is fun but the way it's executed falls flat. It doesn't take that concept in an interesting direction. I really enjoy the subtle character building of the protagonist being a divorced or abandoned spouse. She gets a lot of depth with only a few brief moments in this short runtime. The short ends up turning into another generic jump-scare that made me roll my eyes and sigh in disappointment.
Beautiful looking film, but the premise needs work.
irinakomarov-4845621 January 2024
This is not a bad short film. It's good. The cinematography and lighting were an easy 10/10 for me and this whole thing was clearly a high quality project.
However, my biggest gripe is with the narrative. First off, I know it's hard to create a lot of substance in nine minutes. But for me, this story is full of cliches that I've seen before and doesn't even try to present things in any new way.
It's just the whole "grieving character brings a creepy object into the house which makes scary things start happening" story has been done so many times before. Maybe I'm being too harsh and maybe the filmmakers were trying to do more than just that, but that's the general interpretation I got from it.
So overall, it's not bad. People also need to keep in mind that it's a proof of concept so it's unfair to be too hard on it. And to be honest, I don't think it deserves the 1/10 ratings that it's getting. I will be on the lookout to see if this gets turned into a feature someday.
However, my biggest gripe is with the narrative. First off, I know it's hard to create a lot of substance in nine minutes. But for me, this story is full of cliches that I've seen before and doesn't even try to present things in any new way.
It's just the whole "grieving character brings a creepy object into the house which makes scary things start happening" story has been done so many times before. Maybe I'm being too harsh and maybe the filmmakers were trying to do more than just that, but that's the general interpretation I got from it.
So overall, it's not bad. People also need to keep in mind that it's a proof of concept so it's unfair to be too hard on it. And to be honest, I don't think it deserves the 1/10 ratings that it's getting. I will be on the lookout to see if this gets turned into a feature someday.
You will want more!
charlesebb29 October 2019
You will finish the short and want there to be more after a major cliffhanger. I don't want to spoil it. It's not very scary so I think this would be good for people who like non scary things. It is very well written (No surprise because its Ryan Conley.) and acting was very good as well.
A plotless technical exercise
jamesgcaselli2 December 2019
It's a shame to see someone like Ryan Connolly, after years of videos teaching low-budget/accessible filmmaking methods, make such an empty vessel of a short. Is it shot nicely? Oh yes, very. You can tell a lot of effort was put into the technical aspects of this short, from camera work to lighting, to the set dressing etc. However the story was absolutely lacking in content. I'm still squeezing my brain trying to get anything out of it. It's the most bare bone "ghost horror" short one could come up with. It's baffling to think there's a whole team of people out there who believe this is strong enough to be made into a feature film. All style, absolutely no substance.
In essence, it's no more than a technical filmmaking test.
In essence, it's no more than a technical filmmaking test.
Visually beautiful, lacks story
EthanHickey528 October 2019
Film Riot has been my literal film school for the past few years, and I love them to death. I'm so proud of what Ryan and the team are doing, and I can't wait to see what they do next! This film, looks, sounds, and acts all like a Hollywood film. But, it lacks a story. I know it's a proof of concept, but that's not a reason to not have a good story. I've seen this with other Film Riot films. I'd suggest Film Riot looks to the Blacklist to find a really good script and make that, as they already have everything down pat in the production and post side of things!
Classic Film Riot
drewcollins-8919528 October 2019
Folks, its classic film riot. Looks great. Story lacks. I understand it's a concept for a feature but Ive seen film students tell better stories then There Comes A Knocking. Full of cliches. Nothing new or refreshing. Well made however, looks like something you would see in a theater.
Left Me Wanting More
bdhill-5521928 October 2019
Ryan Connolly's latest film is his most potent and captivating to date. Incredible visuals, enthralling sound design, and a great performance left me wanting to explore more of the story. This proof of concept has promise and I would gladly pay to see a feature film based on this.
Lacks story
marcusjturnbull23 January 2020
As much as I love Film Riot, I can't say I'm a fan of this one. While visually it looks fantastic, it's extremely cliche and lacks any real story. Hopefully their next project has a really good story. But I'm still a fan of them, regardless of what I say here!
Interesting!
HadiAriyan0731 October 2019
This is enjoying!
bheemkhongnoh29 October 2019
I couldn't tell if it's better than any of the previous projects done by Ryan but this one is short & straight to the point, though it's well directing & written but it lacks the scares because this is a horror short film instead it's more depends on suspend story to a character as well to the story but hey this is a really good film I've enjoyed it in anyway so i praised to Ryan & his team for this great short film.
A short film of awesomeness
charactereight28 November 2021
Visually Beautiful and Emotionally Attaching
camcaliph9 June 2021
Whoever rated this film anything below an 8 out of 10 is out of their minds. This film is literally amazing. Yea, I've seen a few horror films with similar concepts but this film actually make me like the genre of horror because of all of the elements of film working together to portray the mood necessary to hook the viewer. This film makes those other horror films seem like try-hard-wanna-be's. This is the real deal. The visuals are just gorgeous, along with the execution of the film. It is Class A. It deserves to be in theaters and on the big screens. It's not just any old cliche horror movie... it's a must-see emotional roller coaster. There's Science Fiction, then there's Ryan Connolly Science Fiction. He adds such of a realistic tone and texture to each of his films, especially in the last 5 years, that it feels as if you can reach out touch the characters in the film and as if he's filming reality. I absolutely love the dark and gritty yet heartwarming feel that he brings to each of his films. He is a GREAT visual storyteller and one of my biggest inspirations. I can't wait to see the feature film, I've been waiting for 2 years now, and I'm really ready to see it!! Ryan Connolly deserves to be directing Big Budget DC Movies. I would love to see a Ryan Connolly Dark Superhero Film. I would love to see the twist that he gives to all of his films on a story like Batman or Robin. That would be a dream come true. Ryan Connolly, you are truly one of the greatest of our times, we are lucky to have someone like you.
There comes a block buster hit!
MichaelEric02047 October 2020
Ryan Connolly has outdone himself with this proof of concept
Chilling and eerie with great cinematography and amazing directing
I'll be anxiously awaiting the feature and anyone interested in suspenseful thrillers should too
Chilling and eerie with great cinematography and amazing directing
I'll be anxiously awaiting the feature and anyone interested in suspenseful thrillers should too
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