Knock at the Cabin (Mini-Review)

Knock at the Cabin is an adaptation of the book The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul G. Tremblay. A group of four strangers, lead by Leonard, invade a cabin and tell the family to make a choice. Eric, Andrew, and Wen must decide whether to save themselves or sacrifice one to save the world. But what if Leonard and the others are just crazy? Knock at the Cabin was released in 2023. It was directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It stars Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and Kristen Cui.

There are animations during the credits that imitate the disasters that happen throughout the movie. There is also a brief post-credits scene that is very eerie and makes sure you don't leave feeling safe.

I only learned that this movie is based off a book during the opening credits. When it goes onto a streaming service I'm going to really look at that opening credits as there's a bunch of stuff that I missed. Anyways...I watched a YouTube video that mentioned Wen had a much different ending in the book than she had in the movie. So I looked up the book on Wikipedia and read about what happened in it. So if you were scarred by that moment in the book, the movie will surprise you in a different way.

The movie reminded me of The Cabin in the Woods (2011). In that movie unsuspecting people are forced to participate in a ritual to save the world. One of the themes it deals with is if humanity deserves to live. Knock at the Cabin deals with that as well as whether or not the strangers are telling the truth. At one point Andrew says that humanity doesn't deserve to continue to exist. This due to how Andrew and Eric have been mistreated their entire lives just because of who they love. As someone in the LGBTQ+ Community, I'm bisexual and agender, I can understand this sentiment. I have to remain in the closet to some to stay alive and have a bearable life. But even though there are horrible people out in the world, there are those that deserve to live purely for their goodness.

Dave Bautista did an outstanding job as Leonard. He had a kindness to him even though he isn't a small man. At no point did I doubt he meant the best even if he was an insane person. His role in this movie reminded me of his role in Blade Runner 2049 (2017). I guess M. Night Shyamalan thought the same thing.

Knock at the Cabin deals with belief. There are twists and turns to make you constantly question what is going on. Is Leonard right or are all the events just coincidences? At one point Leonard turns on the news to show that what he's saying is true. But the disaster was recorded four hours before the strangers came over. Did Eric really see a man behind one of the strangers or was it just the effects of his concussion?

I would recommend Knock at the Cabin to fans of M. Night Shyamalan. I would also recommend Knock at the Cabin to those looking for a thought provoking horror movie.