Knock at the Cabin

3.5 out of 5 stars

Uneven is one way to describe M. Night Shyamalan’s career, as he has had extreme highs and then seemed to lose his way for a time. When he returned to engaging storytelling and lower budget films, where he excelled, audiences began to believe in the brilliance seen through his filmmaking. Knock at the Cabin looks to be a quintessential Shyamalan suspense thriller despite harbouring a significant change for the director since the writing credit was inspired by Paul G. Tremblay’s novel, The Cabin at the End of the World. Yet, this genre allows this celebrated artist to remain faithful to all that has made him one of the most successful filmmakers of this generation.

As the title suggests, most of the storyline occurs within the walls of a remote holiday cabin rented by Eric (Jonathan Groff) and his husband, Andrew (Ben Aldridge). They have brought their adopted seven-year-old daughter, Wen (Kristen Cui), who loves capturing and studying grasshoppers. While she is out collecting insects in the fields surrounding their holiday home, the little girl is approached by Leonard (Dave Bautista), who seems to have no ill will for the child and only wants to become friends. Until he announces that he and his three counterparts are there to talk with the little girl’s family and ask them an important question that will have worldwide repercussions. After a moment of extreme duress for the family, the four visitors inform them that this small household must decide to sacrifice one of their family members to stop the impending apocalypse.

As you read along, this will all sound vaguely familiar to anyone who has engaged with films that address the end of the world, while M. Night Shyamalan does manage to add a fresh spin on this well-worn storyline. Most importantly, there is the awareness that this might be a ruse and the audience must determine if these individuals are merely purveyors of a local doomsday cult. The tension needed to keep viewers on board is established by the director as he manages to keep a heart-racing pace throughout the film. He allows each character to develop in their own way, injecting a bit of humanity into this otherworldly request. As the screenplay unfolds, these two elements bring people along on the journey, making most of this tale believable and entertaining.

Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge deliver the needed emotional attachments for their relationship to be embraced by all who are watching. Along the way, they unpack the underlying message of abuse experienced by the gay community. Although this is not the film's primary focus, this is a crucial component behind all that transpires throughout the movie. Interestingly, their performances are not the standouts of this project; this honour goes to Dave Bautista and the three visitors. Each has varied levels of screen time, but this foursome delivers a lesson in how to artistically embrace a character as an ensemble. All four are so believable in their roles, it becomes hard to separate the character from the actor. These performances bring this film to life in a twisted and dark manner that delivers an immersive atmosphere that works well.

This may not be the best M. Night Shyamalan film, but it allows him to show audiences why they love his work. Knock at the Cabin is ideally suited for those who enjoy the Hitchcokian-style of filmmaking that incorporates twists and subtly that make horror accessible and move it into the art form it can be to entertain while challenging the audience to think deeper about life.

Reel Dialogue: How will the world come to an end? It is a question of the ages.

One thing that stands out from the outset of this film is the idea that one person sacrificing their life could potentially save humanity. Books, films and religions all try to answer this query that plagues most people at some point in their lives. Like the messaging of this film, this question can bring out fear in much of the population and conspiracy theorists who merely have to provide plausible answers to cause people to continue to ask the question.

One might wonder what the Bible has to say about it all? Admittedly, the book of Revelation can be confusing and misunderstood. Still, it is worth engaging with this portion of the Bible with others as an informative text to clarify the end of the world as we know it. Also, it unpacks the topic of how the death of one person can allow all of mankind to be saved from itself, if they choose to follow the words of the Bible. Specifically, in the words of Jesus Christ readers find answers as he said, ‘When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said:

“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.’ (Revelation 1:17-18)

You do not have to be fearful or wait to find out the answers to the end of this world. Take some time to study through Revelation today or reach out to the team at Third Space to find out more.