Okay, let’s be honest. Those who have watched Unbreakable, Split and Glass, know M. Night Shyamalan’s potential. However, in the recent years he’s been going through a low phase and “Knock at the Cabin” is his latest attempt to keep us guessing. But hold onto your popcorn because this time, the only thing he’s knocking is his own reputation. In this apocalyptic thriller, he tries to shake things up, but we’re left wondering if he shook a bit too hard. If you’re expecting Shyamalan’s classic twisty narrative, you’re in for a disappointment, because this one goes in a straight line – and not necessarily in the right direction.
Plot
Picture this: a remote cabin in the woods, a family on vacation, and four strangers crashing the party. It sounds like the perfect setup for a heart-pounding thriller, right? Well, not quite. These intruders claim they’re here to save the world from the apocalypse and need to sacrifice a family member to do it. Twist? Nope, they’re dead serious. As the captors and hostages play a deadly game of cat and mouse, you’d think the tension would be palpable, but it’s more like a balloon slowly losing air. Even with all the scary weapons lying around, it’s hard to feel the fear. They throw in some mind games, but it just doesn’t work. The only real excitement comes from the flashbacks revealing the captive family’s past, but even those can’t save this sinking ship. You can see the movie is trying to be all tense and serious, but wo feel aati hi nahi hai somehow.
Performances
Dave Bautista, aka Leonard, tries to flex his acting muscles, and it’s not all bad. He’s determined, and he’s got that tough-guy thing going for him. His act, much opposite to Drax, feels mature and restrained, adding depth to the film. And he’s prolly the only WWE superstar who can actually act (sorry if I offended you). Kristen Cui, who plays young Wen, delivers some genuinely touching moments in her scenes with Bautista. She’s the real star of the show without a doubt. But the rest of the cast? Well, while they are not necessarily poor, they sure do fail to leave a lasting impact. And that’s hardly got anything to do with the abilities of the actors. It is just the sheer lack of character development and depth, that leaves them no choice.
Direction and Writing
Shyamalan takes a detour into apocalyptic territory, but it feels more like a scenic route that leads to a dead end. It’s a daring move by Shayamalan, but unfortunately does not yield compelling results. If you’re a fan of Shyamalan’s signature twists, you won’t find them here. Instead, you’ll get a one-location setting that’s supposed to scream “end of the world,” but it’s more like a cozy weekend getaway spot. The psychological mind games are hinted at but never really take off. It’s like getting a cake with no frosting – it’s just not the same. What a bummer, sigh.
Screenplay and Cinematography
This film is based on Paul G. Tremblay’s award-winning novel, “The Cabin at the End of the World”, but the screenplay leaves more questions unanswered than a riddle without a punchline. Why this family for the sacrifice? Who are these invaders, and where did they come from? Your guess is as good as mine. On the bright side, the movie looks pretty (or should I use the more popular term– aesthetic?) The cinematography captures the beauty of the wilderness, and the ’90s lenses give it a vintage thriller vibe. However, these visual elements do not compensate for the shortcomings in the plot and character development.
“Knock at the Cabin” might not put you to sleep, but it won’t keep you on the edge of your seat either. Shyamalan’s attempt to reinvent himself falls flat, and the lack of his trademark twists is sorely felt. It’s like ordering a pizza and getting a plain cheese instead of the pepperoni and extra cheese you were expecting. Sure, it’s still pizza, but it’s just not as satisfying. So, if you decide to open the door to this movie, be prepared for a mid and extremely forgettable experience.
