This movie has been out for a while, but I finally got around to watching it. One of the newest horror movies I’ve seen, it has some really nice, modern touches, but also suffers from a lack of imagination outside of the basic plot setup. Which is definitely a theme with this director, including his movie Old that I reviewed.
Is it worth watching? Do the unknown actors pull through? Let’s dive in!
A Strong Start
“Knock at the Cabin” is a movie that starts off strong with a super creepy beginning that sets the tone for the rest of the film. Dave Bautista plays his role perfectly and carries the movie, especially through this early part. The first 30 minutes are really untouchable, but there’s definitely a drop-off after that. It feels like a movie where the creators had an awesome set-up but not a good plan to close things off.
The kid played by Kristen Cui and the father played by Ben Aldridge are excellent. They did the best with the hand they were dealt. With the adults in the movie, there are definitely some corny dialogue moments and it gets a bit repetitive. After the strong start, there’s a lag in excitement, and even these breakout acting performances can’t save things.
A movie With Lots To Say
This movie clearly has something to say. It’s based on a book (I haven’t read), and apparently, M. Night Shyamalan’s movie has a very different ending. It’s clearly trying to make a statement on something. There is a lot of discussion about conspiracies, prejudice, and more, but it doesn’t seem to build anywhere. We’re left with more questions than answers, which can be a good thing, but in this case… some answers would’ve been nice.
Because of this set-up, the plot and conversations get very repetitive. It never really breaks out of this cycle, either. Instead, the movie ends on a strangely weak note. While the storyline and characters had a lot of potential, the situations were straightforward and predictable, leading to an unfulfilling conclusion.
Overall: 6.5/10
The cinematography and camera angles are very good, and the acting is particularly impressive, with some breakout performances from Ben Aldridge and Kristen Cui. However, the movie’s writing is its downfall. The first 30 minutes are great, but they can’t make up for the rest. Still, it’s worth a watch. Probably just one, though.
Overall, I would give this movie a rating of:
David Kummer 