#MovieReview: Knock at the Cabin is a tense but overwritten thriller

Part contained thriller, part biblical allegory, Knock at the Cabin is another uniquely odd piece of work from M. Night Shyamalan.

Shyamalan, best known for movies that contain a big central twist or reveal a la Sixth Sense, Unbreakable or Signs, is back with another high concept premise that is mostly effective.

He remains the king of a logline that creates interest and is still able to create high-tension situations that will keep you glued to the screen.

‘A couple and their adopted daughter are on holiday in a remote cabin when suddenly they are trapped by four mysterious visitors.’

It is simple, scary and a perfect place from which to kick off the events.

Unfortunately, Shyamalan still has a dialogue problem and gives into the temptation to over-explain the premise rather than trust his audience.

His direction has never been better however, with every frame ratcheting up a discomforting undercurrent as the story heads to an unavoidable point of no return.

Given the huge success of his output, Shyamalan is able to make exactly the movies he wants by self-funding and later selling the distribution thereof.

In a movie landscape dominated by intellectual property and box office sure-things, you cannot help but respect someone for continually betting on themselves and succeeding.

Whether Knock works will be person-dependent, but there is no denying it is unlike anything else you will see in the cinema this year.

Spoilers to follow

The film opens on same-sex couple, Andrew (Ben Aldridge) and Eric (Jonathan Groff) who have taken their adopted daughter Wen (Kristen Cui) to a remote cabin in the Pennsylvania wilderness.

While catching grasshoppers alone, Wen is approached by Leonard (Dave Bautista) in a stranger-danger situation that makes you instantly uneasy.

He seems friendly enough however, until he is joined by three other adults, all of whom are wielding homemade weaponry.

They later break into the cabin and take the family hostage, leaving you to wonder whether it is strange cult activity or homophobia-based torture.

Presented with a world-changing choice, the trio have to decide whether to trust the invaders or try and escape.

As time ticks down, that choice becomes unavoidable – but what will the family do…?

Knock struggles with an exposition problem throughout but is never boring. Watch it to see for yourself.

Rated 18 for Violence and Language, but low on actual gore, would be suitable for ages 15 and up.
3/5.

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