ReelBob: ‘Knock at the Cabin’ ★★★
By Bob Bloom
M. Night Shyamalan’s “Knock at the Cabin” is a compelling psychological thriller that holds you tightly in its grip from beginning to end.
The movie, based on an award-winning novel by Paul Tremblay, is Shyamalan’s best movie in nearly two decades. Perhaps that is because it’s an adaptation of a well-received book and the script was adapted by Shyamalan and two other writers, Steve Desmond and Michael Sherman.
This straightforward feature is bereft of Shyamalan’s usual twists and surprises.
The film draws you in from the outset, abetted by Herdis Stefåesdóttir’s ominous score.
As the movie opens, a young girl, Wen (Kristen Cul), is in the woods collecting grasshoppers. She is approached by Leonard, a giant of a man, who speaks to her calmly and soothingly, yet his words frighten her.
Wen runs into the isolated cabin in which she and her two fathers, Eric (Jonathan Groff) and Andrew (Ben Aldridge), are vacationing. Hysterically, she tells them about Leonard and insists that they lock the doors and not allow Leonard, nor the three people she saw approaching behind him, into the cabin.
Eventually, Leonard (Dave Bautista) and his companions, Sabrina (Nikki Amuka-Bird), Ardiana (Abby Quinn) and Redmond (Rupert Grint — Ron Weasley from the “Harry Potter” movies) — force their way into the cabin.
They tie Eric and Andrew to chairs. Then, Leonard begins explaining their purpose: The four home invaders are strangers who have never met nor knew of each other. But they did share a singular vision of imminent events that portends an apocalypse that will destroy humanity.
The only way to prevent it, Leonard explains, is for one of the three to be sacrificed willingly by the other two.
To attempt proving to Eric, Andrew and Wen that they are not crazy, Leonard and his companions tell the three about themselves. Leonard is a second-grade teacher, Sabrina is a nurse, Ardiana is a cook and single mom and Redmond, well, he has a violent past.
Of course, Eric and Andrew are skeptical.
“Knock at the Cabin” is an elongated debate between the rationality and pragmatism of Eric and Andrew and the surety and blind faith of their captors.
I will not divulge other aspects of the movie, but as events in the outside world begin to deteriorate — as shown by various news bulletins from the cabin’s television — doubt creeps into the family’s certainty and events grow more violent and dire.
Shyamalan does a first-rate job of not tipping his hand too early. He keeps you guessing about the motives and sanity of the foursome. Are they cultists? Are they puppets being manipulated by some unseen individual or group? Are they simply crazy?
Most importantly, do they unequivocally believe in their shared vision and mission?
“Knock at the Cabin” is very sincere. Leonard and the others constantly apologize to the family for their actions, repeating their reluctance to do what is necessary. They truly see themselves as the instruments to save mankind by acting on the signs shown in their vision.
Bautista’s performance is the strength of the movie. His towering presence and menacing appearance are offset by his gentle and kind nature.
“Knock at the Cabin” keeps you off-balance for most of its 100 minutes, teasing you with expectations for a surprise twist or rational explanation of events.
The movie’s biggest shocker is that none is forthcoming.
I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, 4K UHD, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap and other print and online publications. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow me on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook at ReelBob.com or the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My movie reviews also can be found at Rotten Tomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.
KNOCK AT THE CABIN
3 stars out of 4
(R), violence, language