Knock at the Cabin Movie Review
Nathan Swank
February 6th, 2023
M. Night Shyamalan is a writer and director who has had many ups and downs in his career. But I can say, I have genuinely appreciated all but two of his films. Rocketing to the top of Hollywood with the mind-blowing THE SIXTH SENSE in 1999, M. Night is not just a great storyteller, he is a terrific director. KNOCK AT THE CABIN is another in a long line of films that proves this filmmaker understands how to create tension and wonder better than nearly anyone.
I always think it’s best to go into films knowing as little as possible, but especially films from Shyamalan. His ability to find a certain twist or reveal of the unknown has become sort of a staple and for some, a joke. But I appreciate his craftsmanship and I believe there’s a certain sincerity in how he makes the unbelievable, believable. The simplest explanation to KNOCK AT THE CABIN is that four strangers approach a family in the cabin in the woods. They forcibly present them with a choice: Agree to kill one of yourselves and save the world or don’t and the Apocalypse will befall the world, killing everyone.
Based on the book by Paul Tremblay and a screenplay by Steve Desmond, Michael Sherman, and M. Night Shyalmalan, KNOCK AT THE CABIN has a simple concept with an original idea. It’s sort of a reverse home invasion nightmare film, where the captives are technically safe but have to witness horror and decide whether they should commit the unthinkable themselves. Do they believe what is happening to be true? Or is it all a trick? Either way, it’s pretty messed up. But it’s more about the journey than the answer and M. Night proves why he is such a technically great filmmaker and storyteller by creating tension and curiosity with interesting characters inside a confined space.
Everyone involved has their moments, but Dave Bautista is quite simply amazing as Leonard, the lead intruder. Leonard is a formidable giant, but is disarming with his kind demeanor and careful words. Bautista is so good, I’m not sure the film works without him. Quite frankly, he’s hypnotically magnetic and has turned in his best performance to date.
KNOCK AT THE CABIN is a brisk 100 minute thriller that is great in a minimalist way. It’s not perfect and I originally was hung up a bit with the execution. But that is only from the point that the horror and mystery aren’t scary in the traditional fashion. There aren’t really any frights nor is the mystery exceptionally surprising. But the journey through this scenario is horrific when you put it in the lens of questioning, “what would I do?”
M. Night sees me. Or perhaps, I see him. I’ve been a defender of his creations for quite some time. Nearly all of his films feel as though they are made for me. I love how he builds an extraordinary circumstance that requires a bit of faith to appreciate. And I’m never sure what is going to happen next. While he has slightly deviated from personal favorites like SIGNS, UNBREAKABLE, and THE VILLAGE, I hope we continue to get more enjoyable, unique, original thrillers like, THE VISIT, OLD, and KNOCK AT THE CABIN.
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