We should all know by now that a remote cabin in the woods is a far-from-ideal vacation spot, but Knock at the Cabin takes the classic horror trope and gives it one of its most disturbing twists yet.
Eric (Jonathan Groff) and Andrew (Ben Aldridge) are enjoying a break with their daughter Wen (Kristen Cui) when four armed strangers show up. Led by Leonard (Dave Bautista), the strangers break into the cabin and hold the family hostage.
While the strangers' weapons are fearsome, their ultimatum to the family is even more terrifying: sacrifice one of your own to save the world. It has to be a willing choice though, and one of the family has to do it, otherwise the world will end (that's just how the apocalypse rolls). It's an arresting opening that barely gives you time to digest your popcorn.
Knock at the Cabin is only just beginning to ratchet up the tension, though, as Eric and Andrew endure their worst vacation yet. But while they're having a terrible time, you'll be revelling in M Night Shyamalan's return to form.
While Shyamalan has been winning plaudits for his excellent Apple TV+ series Servant, reaction to his big-screen work has been more ambivalent. Split was well-received, but critics slated Split's direct follow-up Glass and Shyamalan's bonkers body horror Old.
He's been a divisive filmmaker since his breakthrough with The Sixth Sense, yet Knock at the Cabin feels his most straightforward thriller in a while — in a good way. We get to the concept immediately, with backstory left to intermittent flashbacks. Across a lean 100-minute runtime, the movie rarely pauses for breath.
Shyamalan knows that the setup (adapted from Paul Tremblay's book The Cabin at the End of the World) is strong and instantly compelling, so isn't in need of flourishes. It's just seven people in a cabin debating the potential apocalypse, with the stakes rising with each passing hour.
As in the book, the movie keeps you guessing as to whether Leonard and his fellow invaders are telling the truth. You'll likely consistently sway from one side to the other, as well as question what you'd do in the same situation (as you would when watching all the best contained, high-concept thrillers).
This stripped-back approach only really works as well as its cast, and Shyamalan has assembled an impressive ensemble. Dave Bautista is magnetic as Leonard, terrifying and also heartbreaking. Leonard could easily be a brute, but Bautista conveys the vulnerability and his struggle with the task he's been faced with.
As Leonard's companions, Rupert Grint, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and Abby Quinn don't get as many layers to explore as Bautista, but they still convince as devout believers driven to carry out a terrible mission. They all bring a different element, such as Grint's barely-suppressed rage, so they're a distinctive group.
Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge's Eric and Andrew are painted with similarly broad strokes — Andrew is the pragmatist and Eric the believer — but their chemistry overcomes the thin characterisation. It's also refreshing to see a mainstream thriller with a gay couple in the lead roles there's nothing big made of their relationship.
There is, however, a jarring flashback to a homophobic assault and its aftermath, intended to showcase why one of the couple is more able to fight back than the other. However, it's unintentionally cheesy, and the movie would have been better served letting the audience connect the dots. But it's a relatively minor critique.
Fans of the book could potentially criticise the changes Shyamalan makes to the story. The filmmaker has been open about his reasons behind the changes, going so far as to title the movie differently so it could be seen as separate to its source. However, these changes could well prove divisive.
Once a certain moment passes (you'll know it if you've read the book), everybody is in the same boat. Just as with the book, you won't be sure where the movie is going — boosted by the fact that Shyamalan is behind it and you're waiting a twist that may (or may not) be coming.
We obviously wouldn't spoil such things here, although we can say that whatever happens, Knock at the Cabin is a taut, propulsive thriller that has you in a vice-like grip practically from the first scene.
Eric and Andrew might be facing an impossible choice, but you've got a really simple one: Go and watch Knock at the Cabin.
Knock at the Cabin will be released in cinemas on February 3.
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