New movie releases during this time of year can tend to suck. It’s somewhat difficult to care about new releases when moviegoers are riding high on the winter blockbusters and buzz of the award season. Yet, every now and then a new release slips through the cracks. A film that actually makes going to the cinema for a February release worthwhile. M. Night Shyamalan’s Knock at the Cabin brings to the table a thrilling, white-knuckled story that, in his typical fashion. Also in true Shyamalan tradition, it takes many unworldly twists and turns. Brilliantly performance-driven and skillfully shot, Knock at the Cabin is another Shyamalan win showcasing how he still has what it takes to make an amazing film.
Based on Paul Tremblay’s book The Cabin at the End of the World, Knock at the Cabin centers around a family held hostage by four strangers united by a cause.
These four strangers (Dave Bautista, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Abby Quinn, and Rupert Grint respectively) inform the family they must sacrifice a member of their family in order to prevent the apocalypse. Themes of religion, trust, and trauma elevate the film’s spiraling plot. The suspense does not necessarily come from whether or not the family will make this sacrifice, but why this family was held hostage in the first place. The four strangers working together made the uncomfortable choice to move forward with their plan, and it is their dynamic (or lack thereof) that makes the audience question whether or not their belief in the apocalypse is legit.
Dave Bautista continues to show that he’s deserving of respect as a great actor. From the moment he took to the screen in the opening scene, there was so much left to be desired by his mysterious character. It was chilling to see such a giant, intimidating man be anxious and terrified. There’s no doubt Bautista stole the show! The performances in this film were great. Most of the film is spent with the same seven people, so the cast’s ability to perfectly execute their respective roles keeps the film engaging. Despite this, Rupert Grint’s attempt at an American accent was a bit distracting.
Keeping with the praise, Knock at the Cabin looks wonderful. Shyamalan’s long takes and masterful blocking made for some thrilling shots and sequences.
That’s not to say the film is void of any flaws. At times, it suffers from strange and nonsensical dialogue. M. Night Shyamalan also has a cameo on a television program that I can’t help but think of as comical simply because it’s him. For those familiar with Shyamalan, it can be a bit distracting. Also, despite the film’s short pace, there are moments where the film suffers in its pacing. While it is mostly thrilling, some moments cause the film to drag. Also, there are strange editing choices that seem disorienting and disrupt the flow of the film.
We are introduced to the family as two dads, Eric and Andrew (Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge), and their daughter Wen (Kristen Cui). The film begins when the four strangers arrive at the cabin at which Eric and Andrew have taken their daughter on vacation. As the film progresses, flashbacks are shown to highlight the relationship between Eric and Andrew, highlighting the struggles they face as a gay couple, from family rejection to bigoted hatred from strangers. These flashbacks serve to flesh out their characters, thus guiding the audience to understand why they are behaving in this hostage situation the way that they are. All of that on paper sounds fine, yet the way it is executed makes it seem forced and inorganic.
I feel M. Night Shyamalan has been a punching bag on the internet for far too long.
Admittedly I haven’t seen his entire catalog. But most of what I’ve seen showcases that he has talent as a legit filmmaker (The Last Airbender notwithstanding). It goes without saying, Knock at the Cabin will likely get a lot of unnecessary hatred. Especially since it’s in the middle of award season. This is far from a perfect movie, and honestly, it will probably be forgotten as the year goes on. However, there’s no denying Knock at the Cabin has plenty to offer and is quite entertaining. I doubt you’ll get a surprise giant blockbuster or arthouse Oscar nominee. But you will get a quality film from a quality filmmaker. Knock at the Cabin delivers till the very end, leaving you with that familiar M. Night Shyamalan element of “What the hell did I just see?”
Knock at the Cabin is currently in theaters everywhere.