56. Knock At The Cabin; movie review

 

KNOCK AT THE CABIN

Cert 15

100 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong threat, violence, language, suicide

"I owe you an apology," I said to Mrs W after returning home from watching Knock At The Cabin at Derby Odeon.

She doesn't like horror films so I talked her out of seeing M. Night Shyamalan's movie having seen its trailer and its poster and noted its title.

I had presumed this would be some sort of blood and gore fest but, no... it is actually a riveting psychological thriller.

Of course, Shyamalan isn't to everyone's taste but only when I re-read my reviews of his films did I realise that I am something of a fan, especially of the likes of The Sixth Sense and Split.

It is interesting that some reviews suggest that Knock At the Cabin is too tame but I have always believed that fear is generated by the mind, not the eyes, so that is why it tickled my fancy.

Anyway, it stars Dave Bautista, who goes against his usual typecasting by playing a humble if determined primary schoolteacher.

He and three others (Abby Quinn, Nikki Amuka-Bird and Rupert Grint) turn up at the remote forest holiday home of a gay couple (Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge) and their daughter (Kristen Cui).

Because they appear fearsome and have weapons, the trio barricade themselves in but, eventually, when they come face to face, a terrible dilemma is presented.

One of the keys to Knock At the Cabin is its speed... after a gentle, if foreboding opening, there is barely a letup in the physical or psychological drama even though most of the action doesn't move beyond the cabin's confines.

I also thought the inclusion of a very bright child is a smart touch and Cui takes her part beautifully.

The denouement has come in for some criticism but again I disagree. For me, it tied things up neatly.

Anyway, go watch it and see what you think. I reckon it is tense and exciting but the more bloodthirsty could well be disappointed.

Reasons to watch: Tense and surprising thriller

Reasons to avoid: Those who are bloodthirsty will be disappointed

Laughs: Three

Jumps: Two

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: No

Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? M.Night Shyamalan wanted Unbreakable to be marketed as a comic book movie but Disney, the film's distributor, persuaded him not to, believing a comic book movie wouldn’t sell. It was marketed as a thriller instead. How times have changed.

The final word. “Our culture has moved toward individualism. Technology really accelerated that and then the pandemic was the final nail in the coffin. Now, here we are at the lowest point of our mental health as a species. Do we find purpose when we define ourselves not only as individuals but as part of a greater collective?” Time

Share this post