Review by Nicholas Porteous for Mr. Will Wong
What would you do if you were presented with a choice between sacrificing a family member and saving 7 billion lives? Before you lock in your answer–Dave Bautista is the one asking. Rupert Grint is there too (among others). There’s no evidence to suggest the Apocalypse is about to unfold, and they all sound like they’re in a cult!
This outrageously contrived hypothetical is the engine that drives M Night Shyamalan‘s latest rollercoaster. I’m by no means an M Night fan, and outside of The Sixth Sense and The Village, I haven’t enjoyed any of his work in a completely unironic way. I find his dialogue clunky beyond reason, and his bag of tricks tired. I was expecting to get a kick out of Cabin in a so-bad-it’s-fun kind of way. But let me tell you up front: I think this is one of his best, and I say that without a shred of sarcasm.
Cabin takes almost no time to get going. In the middle of a forest, an adorable little girl encounters a hilariously large, imposing man, and after a creepy, table-setting conversation, we’re thrust into the middle of a home invasion horror/thriller. Before your popcorn is half empty, the stakes have been raised to the potential destruction of humanity, and in a tight 100 minutes, the ride is over. All this to say that unlike plenty of other Shyamalans, Cabin never overstays its welcome. It’s lean and mean, and spends every ounce of energy developing its premise. Shyamalan‘s knack–or rather lack–for dialogue, is perfectly deployed in the context of these strange intruders, who wouldn’t feel out of place on a conspiracy-laden, misinformation message board. Bautista is the obvious standout, equally tender and towering, and he makes the relatively absurd premise feel like a heartfelt plea for humanity’s future.
That’s not to say Cabin is perfect. It’s a well-executed but elementary yarn, and predictable on more than one occasion. Shyamalan leans into blunt exclamations when he has the opportunity to pose some complex, potentially more interesting questions. The theme of overwhelming faith in the face of a total lack of evidence could be misconstrued as irresponsible–to say the least–at this moment in history. But if you’re expecting a ride, and Bautista‘s question has your attention, I suggest you grab a seat and stand by for that foreboding Knock.
Universal Pictures Canada release KNOCK AT THE CABIN February 3, 2023.
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