While vacationing, a girl and her parents are taken hostage by armed strangers who demand that the family make a choice to avert the apocalypse.

While vacationing at a remote cabin in the woods, a young girl and her parents are taken hostage by four armed strangers who demand they make an unthinkable choice to avert the apocalypse. Confused, scared and with limited access to the outside world, the family must decide what they believe before all is lost.

Over the years M. Night Shyamalan has had his detractors. But in the age of sure bets, sequels and franchises, Shyamalan remains one of the most well known Hollywood directors that goes after fresh and original concepts. 

While Knock at the Cabin Door may not have the twists and turns that one might expect from a Shyamalan feature, his ability to find tension in a stripped back, basic story with Bautista giving his best performance to date, is incredible. Shyamalan’s best in years. 

Stripped back from the flourishes and the tricks of the cinematic thriller trade, Knock at the Cabin Door is simply told but results in edge of your seat viewing. With such an absurd premise Shyamalan slowly begins to sow doubt into the audience's mind, making them question whether the outrageous demand of the four strangers is to be believed. 

And this is where the tension is to be found. Between the four strangers, their victims, and also the audience. While there are some narrative beats and conclusions that you could see coming, Knock at the Door is testament to the fact that if you have a great concept idea and execute it simply but well, it will be entertaining stuff. 

Best known for his role as Guardians of the Galaxy’s Drax, Dave Bautista gives his best performance yet. As an intruder into his victims lives, his physical presence is intimidating. But Bautista beautifully balances this out with an almost childlike stillness and curiosity which he infuses into his performance. 

While Knock at the Cabin Door may not have the twists and turns that one might expect from a Shyamalan feature, his ability to find tension in a stripped back, basic story with Bautista giving his best performance to date, is incredible. Shyamalan’s best in years.

★★★★