Knock at the Cabin is a post-apocalyptic movie about a family who suddenly became responsible for saving mankind from an apocalypse that would kill everyone. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan and based on the novel The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul G. Tremblay, the film was rated 6.1/10 on IMDb, 67% on Tomatometer (Tomatometer-approved critics), and 63% Popcornmeter (Rotten Tomatoes users).Â
For TV streaming fanatics who often watch post-apocalyptic films and TV shows, this movie may not live up to the typical expectation of what it appears to be. But upon watching, it has its own good and bad, and that’s what we’re here to talk about.
Straightforward Storytelling Right Off the Bat
The 1-hour and 40-minute movie doesn’t have a lot of twists and turns. During the first part of the movie, you’ll see Wen, the young daughter of two adoptive parents outside a beautiful cabin playing by herself. She is then approached by Leonard (played by Dave Bautista). Leonard is a big muscular guy with tattoos. He approaches Wen, who is, of course, a little scared, skeptical, and confused.
Leonard tries to make friends with Wen, but she’s a smart girl. She felt something was off, so she rushed inside the cabin and locked the doors. She then called her fathers, Jeff (Jonathan Groff) and Andrew (Ben Aldridge), and asked them to come inside.
Then, they hear Leonard knocking at their cabin, asking to let him in with his friends. They’re a group of four people: Redmond (Ruper Grint), Sabrina (Nikki Amuka-Bird), Adriane (Abby Quinn), and Leonard. Of course, who, in their right mind, would open the door to complete strangers who are carrying weird makeshift weapons?
The group broke into the cabin and tried to explain the reason for what they were trying to do. All four of them had visions of finding this family to convince them to save the world. Basically, an apocalypse is waiting to happen, and the only family that can save everyone is them. They need to choose one family member to kill as a sacrifice to prevent the apocalypse from happening. That’s it. That’s the meat of the film — but, the question is, is what they’re saying really true or is there something else going on?
On a side note, when you plan to watch this movie (if you haven’t yet), you should really have a reliable internet service provider and a fast internet plan. Otherwise, it’ll ruin your streaming experience. Okay, going back…
Leonard and his team are simply there to convince them to proceed with the sacrifice. It’s not an easy decision, but they need to do it to save everyone. When the family refuses, one intruder sacrifices themselves and one phenomenon happens. This was the cycle until it was Leonard’s turn. The couple started believing what they were trying to say and made the extremely difficult decision.
A Beautiful Story of Sacrifice, Love, and Family
It’s a beautiful film that talks about love, sacrifice, family, and LGBTQ+. The two parents, a gay couple, experienced discrimination. That’s what led to them not trusting the intruders in the first place, as one of them believed that one of them was there for revenge.
However, one scene struck me the most. It was when Leonard said, they were the chosen ones because they had the purest hearts. In religion, LGBTQ+ members are often implicated because they are seen as sinners — simply because in Christianity, a man is for a woman only. However, this movie is about love is love, regardless of its form. That alone can change a lot of things, in this case, the safety of the entire world, including their daughter.
However, it also sparks the question — why does it have to be a homosexual couple? Is it because they’re sinners, and to save the world, one of them must disappear and stop the so-called forbidden love? If we’re going for the biblical route, that would make the most sense. But regardless, any couple could’ve been in that cabin, straight or not.
So, if you haven’t watched Knocked at the Cabin yet, make sure to do so. It’s on Netflix right now. Just make sure you have a fast internet connection like the one Metronet offers. It can make a whole lot of difference.
The Four Horsemen of Apocalypse
The movie cleverly uses the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, but with a twist. Instead of bringing destruction, the four visitors represent something different. The first might be a guide (Leonard – teacher) that offers wisdom and direction. The second symbolizes (Cook – Adriene) nurture that offers care and sustenance. The third embodies healing (Nurse – Sabrina).
The fourth visitor (Redmond), associated with war and violence in the biblical context, is more complex. His past actions, such as a violent act motivated by hate, initially align him with the destructive nature of the Horseman of War. However, his presence at the cabin suggests a potential for redemption. He might be seeking forgiveness as he tries to break free from the cycle of violence and find a path towards peace and healing.
The Bottom Line
Overall, it’s another great Shyamalan movie. It’s the type of movie that will make you think about the scenes deeply. It’s probably the most straightforward movie Shyamalan has ever made, compared to his popular works like The Sixth Sense and Split, but it’s still great. Give this movie a watch if you haven’t yet! It’s a solid 7/10.