"Knock At The Cabin": Movie Review
Written By Alex Greenbaum
Directing at the Hollywood level has to be a considerable challenge. We've seen directors who made classics at the beginning of their careers receive supreme recognition then hollow out, e.g., Robert Zemeckis and M. Night Shyamalan. Shyamalan and Zemeckis created can't-miss films in their heyday, which paved the way for many current directors. But since he released the classic "Signs" in 2002, Shyamalan has arguably made some of the worst big-budget films in the 21st Century, including "The Last Airbender" sitting at an abysmal 5% on Rotten Tomatoes. But I'm elated to convey that after 20 years, Shyamalan is back with his new film "Knock At The Cabin", an exhilarating blast of energy that has started 2023 on the right track.
If you saw the trailers, it's unfortunate. It does give away too much of the plot, considering there aren't the endless twists and turns you'd expect from the Shyamalan formula. But the engaging characters and star in the making, Dave Bautista, steal the show. The four cohorts that break into the couple's home are eery in their motivations, and Bautista's booming persona adds to an uneasy atmosphere. Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge also play a couple believably, yet I did find their young adoptive daughter to be hit or miss in her acting.
The sound design is also surprisingly excellent, as the invader's hand-crafted weapons scratch and rattle their way across the wooden floors. That ominous sound is so meticulously executed that the ensuing violence becomes much more visceral.
Beyond some questionable acting and half-baked plot devices, "Knock At The Cabin" is a breath of fresh air. If you're looking for that deep, psychological character study on how individuals cope with a home invasion, watch Michael Haneke's "Funny Games". But if you want to kick your feet up one afternoon to enjoy an entertaining thriller, you've hit bingo.
Comments
Post a Comment