If you’re familiar with the films by M. Knight Shyamalan than you know his main style of keeping his audience guessing to the very end. Movies like The Sixth Sense (1999), Signs (2002), and his recent Old (2021) are good examples of his cunning ability to distract while rolling out a plot so that the ending becomes a surprise. His newest release Knock at the Cabin keeps the same style and his subject matter is an apocalypse that can be averted, but at what cost.
Partners for life Eric (Jonathan Groff) and Andrew (Ben Aldridge) have decided to bring Wen (Kristen Cui), their adopted child, to a vacation in the woods where they can lay back and enjoy the family. Their cabin is adequate for the young girl who at 8-years-old seem ready for the adventure. What the three didn’t expect however, was a situation that finds them being forced by four strangers making an unreasonably shocking demand that they say could possibly save the world.
While I am not a huge fan of Shyamalan’s films, especially the lackluster movies After Earth, The Last Airbender and The Happening, this film does rise a bit above them. But, not enough to make it “Earth shattering”. However, I especially liked the performance by young Kristen Cui who delivers a smart aggressively defensive Wen who’s up to the challenge. Considering her age and lack of experience, I don’t know any star her age that could have provided a better character scripted here. She’s the glue to making the film entertaining and she sticks it all together to the revealing ending.
Knock at the Cabin has been rated R for violence and language. There are many brutal scenes that are shocking at times, but it’s not a “real” horror story. Don’t expect any ferocious beasts or vampires in this little ditty, as it’s all about the coming apocalypse. It’s not a “The Sixth Sense”, but it does entertain for mystery fans who will probably figure it out early on.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Rupert Grint, Abby Quinn, Kristen Cui
Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan
Genre: Horror Mystery Thriller
MPAA Rating: R for violence and language
Running Time: 1 hr. 40 min.
Opening Date: February 3, 2023
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Released in: Theaters
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
