Knock at the Cabin (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Universal
Release Date: May 9, 2023
Rating: R
Film: 2/5
 
Plot
A tight-knit family are taken hostage by four armed strangers while vacationing at a remote cabin. The visitors, led by Dave Bautista, demand that the young girl and her parents make an unthinkable choice: save their family or save humanity.
 
My Thoughts
I typically don’t request horror titles but for some reason the trailer on this one attracted me. Unfortunately, it should be a case of false advertising! I didn’t mind the thriller aspects of the film, but felt the script didn’t have much depth and although it’s based on the book “The Cabin at the End of the World” by Paul Tremblay, I’m not sure M.Knight Shyamalan translated it very well from book to script to screen. While the film is classified as a “horror” film, I’m not sure I would throw it in that genre. What I call it is a missed opportunity because there are elements in the script that could really work but the execution is lacking.
 
Video 9/10
Audio 9/10 (Dolby Atmos)
 
Special Features:
 

• Deleted Scenes
• Chowblaster Informercial
• Choosing Wisely
• Tools of the Apocalypse
• Drawing a Picture
• Kristen Cui Shines a Light
• UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy

 

 
Conclusion
M.Knight is a talented writer/director, but his body of work is very inconsistent. His first film was ground breaking and he’s had some other notables along the way, but this one falls into the missed opportunities camp. Fortunately, the presentation is quite good and it may be worth a rental if you’re into the genre, but keep your expectations in chec,.
 
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
SVS SB3000
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
M&K Sound X15+ Subwoofer
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[SRW1000]

Thanks for the review, David.  I agree that Shyamalan's work has been a mixed bag.  He's usually great at the atmospheric stuff, but too many of the stories are hurt by the attempt to knock the twist ending out of the park and somehow beat out The Sixth Sense in that regard.

I'll keep an eye out for it on Prime or some other streaming service, just to see where this one falls compared to the rest of them.

Scott

[David Vaughn]

Thanks for the review, David.  I agree that Shyamalan's work has been a mixed bag.  He's usually great at the atmospheric stuff, but too many of the stories are hurt by the attempt to knock the twist ending out of the park and somehow beat out The Sixth Sense in that regard.

I'll keep an eye out for it on Prime or some other streaming service, just to see where this one falls compared to the rest of them.

Scott

Good choice. It may show up on Peacock first since it's a Universal title. 

[Clark Burk]

Thanks for the review David. That trailer really got my interest too. That's often the case and the movie ends up being something that looks nothing like the trailer. I guess that's what they are designed to do. Many of his films start off really good but as the movie goes on it starts falling apart to where I feel like I've been swindled by the end. Thanks for the warning.

[David Vaughn]

Thanks for the review David. That trailer really got my interest too. That's often the case and the movie ends up being something that looks nothing like the trailer. I guess that's what they are designed to do. Many of his films start off really good but as the movie goes on it starts falling apart to where I feel like I've been swindled by the end. Thanks for the warning.

Thanks for chiming in Clark. The trailer hooked me on this one too.