Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Writers: M. Night Shyamalan(screenplay by) Steve Desmond(screenplay by), Michael Sherman(screenplay by)
Stars: Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Rupert Grint, Abby Quinn, Kristen Cui
When it comes to the horror genre M. Night Shyamalan completely excels, and ‘Knock at the Cabin’, a creepy thriller based on Paul Tremblay’s novel, is another great example. Cleverly told and executed, it’s among the most effective films the director has made in the last few years. From beginning to end I was on the edge of my seat, watching as the gripping tale unfolded.
The film launches immediately into the plot, and follows a family while vacationing at a remote cabin, and a young girl and her parents are taken hostage by four armed strangers who demand that the family make an unthinkable choice to avert the apocalypse. With limited access to the outside world, the family must decide what they believe before all is lost.
The scenario that is presented to the family by the group leader Leonard (Dave Bautista) sounds insane, but some how M. Night manages to deliver it on screen with intensity, which keeps the viewers gripped to the screen. The supporting cast of this film I thought were a little bit underused, and is probably my biggest criticism of ‘Knock At The Cabin’. At the same time though their restrained performances fuel the tension of the story.
I know I’m not giving much away with ‘Knock At The Cabin’, but when it comes to M. Night Shyamalan films I feel the less the viewer knows the better, that way they can enjoy the twists and turns in all it’s glory. There’s never any instance where you don’t feel the horrors facing our hostages; made more believable by the superb acting from Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge.
‘Knock At The Cabin’ is a brutally stressful film, that is convincing and compelling all the way until the finale.
‘Knock At The Cabin’ is in cinemas now.
Email: neill@outloudculture.com
