Verdict: 3.5/5
It feels refreshing in many ways to sit down in a cinema and watch a stand-alone movie that isn’t part of a series or world and doesn’t require reflection on previous flicks.
‘Assassin’s Plan’ (known as ‘Knox Goes Away’ overseas) sees Michael Keaton portray hitman John Knox, who is diagnosed with an aggressive form of dementia.
His condition is so advanced by the time he speaks with a doctor that he’s given just weeks to get his affairs in order.
As Knox deals with the reality of what he’s about to confront, his estranged son Miles (James Marsden) lands on his doorstep, covered in blood and with a story to tell – he’s just killed the man who got his 16-year-old daughter pregnant.
And so begins Knox’s plan to help save his son, as he faces his own mortality.
From here, ‘Assassin’s Plan’ develops into a clever, at times witty examination of how far you’ll go for family, especially when you have nothing to lose.
The movie certainly has its shortcomings. There’s too much focus on the police investigation into the death of Knox’s partner early in the movie, and while there’s an attempted link as the flick unfolds, it’s almost an unnecessary addition.
It would have been decent to learn more about Knox’s back story. Instead the focus is on his end, and it’s hard to have any sort of feelings given the character development is so poor.
A decent thriller, perhaps a little long, but nothing spectacular.
See this movie at Hoyts Penrith.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.