‘Knock at the Cabin’ brings suspense to spring
“Knock at the Cabin” is directed by M. Night Shyamalan, and is based on the 2018 book “The Cabin at the End of the World” by Paul Tremblay. While on a family trip to a remote cabin in the woods, young Wen and her parents are taken hostage by four armed strangers (Abby Quinn, Rupert Grint, Nikki Amuka-Bird and Dave Bautista) who demand the family make a choice; one that will decide the fate of humanity. Isolated and alone the couple and their daughter (Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge and introducing Kristen Cui) find themselves fighting for their freedom and questioning not only their beliefs but what matters to them most.
This film is a testament to how much growth Dave Bautista has had as an actor who is seemingly getting better with age and perfecting his craft becoming a chameleon in the entertainment industry. From a six-time world champion WWE superstar to comedic roles like “Stuber”, “Glass Onion: A Knives out Mystery” or heroic ones like his MCU character Drax the Destroyer; Bautista is showing any doubters that he is a legitimate actor and this film is him showing Hollywood not only has he been here all along, but that he’s no longer settling for typecasted roles and has the acting chops to back it up.
The biggest difference between the book and the film comes from the storyline of the couple’s young daughter Wen played exceptionally well by Kristen Cui in her theatrical debut. Cui at only age 9 is the prime example of why dynamite comes in small packages, she absolutely explodes out the gate and grabs your attention, crushes all of her scenes and exudes the confidence on-screen of an actor well beyond her years. Her character Wen has so much depth, and the subtle nuances Cui gives her make her character feel lived in and natural.
While the film draws its core concept from its source material (“The Cabin at the End of the World”), Shyamalan forges his own path and story diverting from the book in ways that make both mediums enjoyable and will make audiences question why they haven’t read the book already. The film and book are both so powerful in their questions and overall themes, readers and audiences alike will have conversations about the film long after they’re viewed with such thought-provoking themes it would be nigh impossible not to put yourself in the shoes of the family and wonder, what would you do in a situation where your choice could save or end mankind as we know it.
It should be no surprise the direction by M. Night Shyamalan was well done and expertly crafted from new camera techniques not seen in a large budget film such as this, to the overall beautiful cinematography of the real-life cabin in New Jersey where principal photography took place. Shyamalan never fails to make a good-looking film but where critics are divided on his works mainly come from some of his past story endings, but this film’s story and its conclusion are both completely enthralling and satisfying, making it one of the best films ever made by Shyamalan and a must watch for the nail-biting tension and gorgeous visuals alone.
