Eli Roth on Creating an 'Old-School Sexual Thriller'
https://youtu.be/HrXykl03RuI
Eli Roth promises his latest directing project "Knock Knock" is unlike anything currently in theaters.
"I wanted to make that old-school Adrian Lyne, Roman Polanski ... kind of sexual thriller," Roth tells Made in Hollywood. "I wanted to write a film that was more contained and shows what happens if you don't leave your own house."
Among the "major inspirations" for the Keanu Reeves-starring film was the Colleen Camp-produced "Death Game," from the late '70s.
"[Colleen] plays a masseuse in the film," Roth says. "It was a terrific psycho-sexual thriller."
In "Knock Knock," seemingly happy Evan Webber (Reeves) opens the door to two incredibly sexy young women who happen to be stranded during a weekend he is home alone. From there, sex and danger ensue.
"Evan has a choice," Roth explains. "Everyone has a choice in the matter. The thing about Evan is he seems like he's happily married. But if you look closely, there's cracks in the facade. His wife isn't having sex with him. He tries to confront her, but he's afraid to confront her. And the kids are making fun of him and it's Father's Day, and her book shows up and her artwork dominates the house. He's kind of relegated to his little corner working."
The timing of the girls' arrival could not have been more perfect, according to Roth.
"All-of-a-sudden these girls show up, and they're like, you are hot, your records are cool, we like your long hair, you are sexual," he says. "He's not really treated that way by anyone else in his family."