Movie Review: ‘Knock at the Cabin,’ an intense ride that falls flat
“Knock at the Cabin” is the latest entry for c and is another failed attempt to capture the magic he once had all those years ago.
By Connor Webber
“Knock at the Cabin,” follows a family of three on a weekend getaway to a remote cabin. It seems like the perfect vacation until they are taken hostage by four strangers claiming the family must make a terrible decision that could stop the apocalypse.
The premise of “Knock at the Cabin,” presents itself to be exactly what you would want from an M. Night Shyamalan film, which for the better part of the film, it is, but Shyamalan has dug himself a hole that he is struggling to get out of.
No one owned the early 2000s like Shyamalan did, putting out films like “The Sixth Sense,” “Unbreakable,” “Sign,” and “The Village.” Each film was well received by audiences and each held either a massive twist or an insane ending to the film. Having done this four times in a row created not only a label for all of his future films, but an expectation. The expectation that by the end of whatever his newest film is, you will be “wowed,” or surprised. I feel this expectation is Shyamalan’s biggest downfall, and it isn’t for a lack of trying, in just about every film he has directed over the last 19 years he has attempted to add a twist or surprise ending, and every time it seems to fall flat. Unfortunately, “Knock at the Cabin,” also suffers from this.
To be fair “Knock at the Cabin,” is Shyamalan’s best-directed film since “Split,” (2016). He was able to create a tense setting for the vast majority of the film despite it mostly taking place in one room during the daytime. Shyamalan also manages to get some great performances out of his ensemble cast.
One actor shines brighter than the rest and that is Dave Bautista. The former wrestler-turned-actor whips together an incredibly genuine performance as Lenord, the leader of the group of strangers. Bautista’s performance and the tense directing make for a film that will easily hold your attention throughout the duration. But despite the great acting and directing, by the end of the film, you will ask yourself “what was the point?” It seemed that in the end, Shyamalan chose to take the easy way out, the film had great build-up that ultimately fell flat, and I left the theater wanting more.
Overall, “Knock at the Cabin,” was fine, but after the credits rolled I was left unsatisfied.
• “Knock at the Cabin,” is rated R and hits theaters worldwide on Feb. 3, 2023. There are no end credit scenes.
