Quick Review on “Knock at the Cabin” (2023)
A Review by Victor DeBonis
“Knock on the Cabin” is shot with undeniable skill in several places, and the moments of uneasiness are often handled with timing that happens rather quickly but leaves a brutal effect from what occurs. Dutch angles and some of the close-ups establish an unnerving atmosphere and leave an undeniable sense of the ominous events in store for the family at the cabin. Some people tend to forget about Shymalan’s craftsmanship in regards to the camera and its ability to elevate the terror or awe of a moment, and, in this story, the director uses it to great effect as I sat back and found myself fairly stunned by the deliberate slowness of the horrifying situation and the rattled presence of the ones holding the family hostage. I appreciate when a story that takes place at mostly one setting makes the situation not dull, and the slow camera movements and close-ups of characters’ anxious faces added to an atmosphere that maintained my interest for what would happen next.
Dave Bautista is superb to watch, and he pivots from surprisingly calm to menacing with ease. Whenever he shows up in a scene, the terror heightens to a considerable degree. With his booming voice, he delivers haunting instructions and rules about what will happen if someone’s life from the family isn’t taken at this place, and he carries his weapon and performs specific actions of great horror with the astonishing patience of someone who doesn’t necessarily feel satisfied about what he’s doing but acknowledges the frightful situation surrounding everyone. I’m happy to see this talented actor taking chances at different types of roles and showing his vast range, and this is one of my favorite performances from him thus far.
Rupert Grint also leaves an unsettling impression with his scenes, and the actors playing the couple express a vivid vulnerability and sincerity in regards to their relationship with each other. Kudos to the young actress, Kristen Cui, as well, for her ability at showing her love for her family and a believable sense of horror at the strangers holding her and her family hostage. There are scenes in which she doesn’t say a word, and it is clear from how she holds onto her fathers that she greatly cares about them and wants an escape from this terrifying scenario. I hope to see more films involving these actors because they possess serious talent.
Occasionally, the movie will stumble into familiar territory, where the characterization is lacking, and people in the film, despite usually being acted well enough, are confined to repeatedly expressing what their job is and not giving further insight to who they are beyond that. It can be very distracting when these characters bring up their professions as often as they do.
Also, while I found the connection of the family that is held hostage credible, the script could’ve benefitted from some more exploration of what their connection is with each other beyond a few specific flashbacks. There are ideas in this movie regarding how much one would sacrifice for others in the midst of an immensely bizarre and threatening situation, and more focus on the family’s connection with one another would have pulled me further into feeling the intensity of what was happening.
With one or two more rewrites, I feel that we could’ve experienced a movie that benefitted the most from its unique premise.
As it is, I thought that this movie was solid. Writing overall needed some work in some areas, but the suspense and acting left me entertained enough and satisfied that I had seen it. There aren’t as many shots that made me scratch my head wondering what was going on with why it was set up, and the uneasy scenario of the hostage situation and how it’s presented is filmed with an understanding of the strange terror looming over this one place and the people holding this family hostage.
And, on a side note, I’m just happy that Shymalan is continuing to make movies that are outside of what some mainstream movies often feel like, regardless of whether they overall thrive or falter as a story. That takes guts, and, whatever one may say about him, he’s undeniably a courageous filmmaker who makes whatever he chooses to. I will always respect that. I’m always excited to see a new movie of M. Night Shymalan’s when it comes out, and titles, such as this, remind me why.
As far as this film by itself goes, it’s good, and I recommend it.
B