Knock at the Cabin Review: Memorizing & Tense!
M. Night Shyamalan is a filmmaker I have always appreciated and admired, regardless of my feelings about his films. He writes and directs original stories and strives to achieve his vision. I was introduced to Shyamalan when I was about nine or ten years old and watched The Sixth Sense for the first time. I was blown away by it at that age, and even now, and it was one of the first DVDs I bought with my own allowance money as a young child. I enjoyed his recent films, The Visit and Old (2021), but Knock at the Cabin reaches a new level of Shyamalan that I haven’t seen since his break-out 1999 hit and The Village.
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Knock at the Cabin follows Eric, Andrew, and their daughter Wen as they drive to a deserted cabin for a vacation to relax and bond. However, they are greeted by four strangers, led by Leonard (played by Dave Bautista), who enter their home and inform them that the world will end unless they make a difficult decision. Shyamalan masterfully builds tension in a film set in a single location with only seven characters. The story’s progression is wonderfully paced, taking its time to introduce Leonard and his gang, as well as flashbacks to Andrew and Eric’s backstory and how it led them to where they are today.
The time to decide. 2.3.23. pic.twitter.com/wHchm4WGaU
— Knock At The Cabin (@KnockAtTheCabin) December 27, 2022
Knock on the Cabin is a Shyamalan film that tells its story through its filmmaking, not just the script. He is known for his twists and turns, some of which are successful and others that are not, but this film takes a different direction. You can tell he is having a great time making it, with effective wide and close-up shots, as well as camera angles that build suspense. He masterfully creates tension among all of the characters as the film reaches its conclusion.
Dave Bautista shines in his role as Leonard, a soft-spoken antagonist whose every word commands attention. With many athletes and performers trying to break into acting, he stands out. He has a remarkable ability to convey his emotions and feelings through his facial expressions without dialogue. Bautista has certainly demonstrated his talent, and I can’t wait to see him in more movies. Knock at the Cabin is a trip you won’t want to miss.
‘Knock at the Cabin’ Rating – 3.5/5
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