🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: M. Night Shyamalan
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 2023
- Runtime (length): 1h 40min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (132K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 68%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Four strangers with weapons made of sticks and glue demand a family choose who dies to prevent the apocalypse, but mostly it’s just a prolonged awkward cabin stay.
🍿 Knock at the Cabin: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Family Vacation Interrupted
Eric, Andrew, and their daughter Wen are vacationing at a remote cabin. Their peaceful retreat is shattered when four strangers arrive, led by the imposing Leonard. The strangers claim they’re there to prevent the apocalypse, setting the stage for a terrifying ultimatum.

The Unthinkable Choice
The strangers demand that the family choose one of themselves to sacrifice to avert global catastrophe. They explain that if the family fails to choose, a series of devastating events will unfold, ultimately leading to the end of the world. Eric and Andrew struggle to believe them, suspecting a hate crime.

Sacrifices and Judgments
As the family resists, the strangers begin sacrificing themselves one by one. Each sacrifice is followed by a catastrophic event shown on TV: tsunamis, a deadly virus, and plane crashes. Eric starts to believe the strangers, while Andrew remains skeptical, clinging to logic and reason.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Wen (Kristen Cui): A perceptive and nature-loving young girl taken hostage with her parents at a remote cabin.
- Eric (Jonathan Groff): One of Wen’s fathers, who grapples with faith and the potential reality of the apocalypse.
- Andrew (Ben Aldridge): Wen’s other father, skeptical and fiercely protective of his family, particularly due to past trauma.
- Leonard (Dave Bautista): The gentle giant and leader of the group of strangers who believes he is preventing the apocalypse.
- Sabrina (Nikki Amuka-Bird): A compassionate nurse and member of Leonard’s group, burdened by the difficult task at hand.
- Redmond (Rupert Grint): A volatile member of Leonard’s group with a past connection to Andrew.
- Adriane (Abby Quinn): A conflicted member of Leonard’s group, grappling with the morality of their mission.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Leonard: “The four of us are here to prevent the apocalypse.” – Leonard explains the group’s mission to the family upon arriving at the cabin.
- Leonard: “Your family must choose to willingly sacrifice one of the three of you in order to prevent the apocalypse.” – Leonard lays out the impossible choice the family faces to save humanity.
- Leonard: “After you make what I know is an impossible decision, you must then kill the one you choose.” – Clarifying the grave act required of the family in order to prevent the apocalypse.
- Leonard: “If you fail to choose, of if you fail to follow through with the sacrifice, the world will end.” – Stating the consequences of inaction or failure to commit to the deadly choice.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $20,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $35,397,980
- Worldwide Gross: $54,760,947
💥 Knock at the Cabin Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went in expecting some classic Shyamalan twists, and while it wasn’t exactly twisty, it was still gripping. The acting was top-notch, especially Dave Bautista. He brought a vulnerability to his role that was unexpected. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, trying to figure out if they were crazy or if the world was actually ending. The cabin setting added to the tension. It made me think about what I would do in that situation, which is honestly terrifying.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of M. Night Shyamalan”
- “Viewers who enjoy suspenseful thrillers with a philosophical bent”
- “People interested in stories about difficult moral choices”
- “Audiences who appreciate strong performances”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Intense thematic elements”
- “Some disturbing images”
- “Brief strong language”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “Shyamalan’s latest is a thought-provoking thriller with strong performances, especially from Dave Bautista. While the premise is intriguing, the execution feels somewhat restrained, lacking the intensity it promises. The film raises compelling moral questions but stops short of fully exploring their implications, resulting in a decent, but not groundbreaking, cinematic experience.
- The Hollywood Reporter: ““Knock at the Cabin” is a well-acted and suspenseful movie that never becomes truly terrifying, even though the stakes are life and death. In other words, those anticipating an edge-of-your-seat experience might be disappointed. The performances are uniformly strong, but the movie never quite transcends its claustrophobic setting.
Audience Reactions
Dave Bautista’s performance was surprisingly touching and nuanced.: Bautista’s acting was widely praised for its depth and emotional range.
The film’s premise sparked intense discussions about morality and sacrifice.: Viewers found the moral dilemma presented in the film to be thought-provoking and compelling.
Overall Consensus: A suspenseful thriller with strong performances but somewhat predictable plot, leaving viewers with a lingering sense of unease and moral questions.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “M. Night Shyamalan cast Dave Bautista after being impressed by his performance in ‘Blade Runner 2049,’ seeking a ‘GIANT who can emote and do 30 pages of monologues’.”
- “The film is based on the novel ‘The Cabin at the End of the World’ by Paul Tremblay, but the ending was changed for the movie adaptation.”
🖥️ How to Watch Knock at the Cabin?
Knock at the Cabin is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Keep an eye out for streaming availability on services like Peacock, given Universal’s distribution agreements.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Knock at the Cabin, you might like these similar films:
- The Village (2004): Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, this film explores themes of isolation, paranoia, and the lengths people will go to protect their way of life, similar to the moral dilemmas in ‘Knock at the Cabin’.
- The Mist (2007): Based on a Stephen King novella, this film also features a group of people trapped in a confined space facing an unseen threat and grappling with questions of faith and sacrifice.
- A Quiet Place (2018): A family struggles for survival in a post-apocalyptic world terrorized by blind monsters with an acute sense of hearing, forcing them to make difficult choices to protect each other.
🛒 Knock at the Cabin Related Products
- The Cabin at the End of the World: A Novel: The original novel by Paul Tremblay that inspired the film. Dive deeper into the story and explore the ambiguous ending that sparked so much debate.
- Funko Pop! Movies: Knock at the Cabin – Leonard: Add Dave Bautista’s character, Leonard, to your Funko Pop! collection. This figure captures his gentle giant demeanor, making it a unique and memorable piece.
- Knock at the Cabin Movie Poster: High-quality print of the official movie poster. Perfect for displaying your love for the film in your home theater or living room.
🎧 Soundtrack
Knock at the Cabin features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, the movie is based on the novel ‘The Cabin at the End of the World’ by Paul Tremblay.
The film explores themes of sacrifice, faith, and the power of love in the face of impossible choices. It raises questions about what people are willing to do to save humanity, and whether belief can triumph over skepticism.
Unlike some of M. Night Shyamalan’s other films, ‘Knock at the Cabin’ does not have a major twist. The events unfold as the strangers predict, leading to a more straightforward, albeit tragic, conclusion.
🔥 Bonus Content
Batista Explains His Recent Weight Loss
Curious about how Dave Bautista prepared for his role in ‘Knock at the Cabin’? Watch this video to hear him talk about his intense weight loss journey and the behind-the-scenes secrets of his transformation.
Dave Bautista says he is still HUGE
Want to know more about Dave Bautista’s character in ‘Knock at the Cabin’ and his journey as an actor? Check out this video for exclusive insights from the man himself, as he discusses his role and his thoughts on the movie industry.
Knock At The Cabin’s Rupert Grint Answers Your Questions
Dive into the mind of Rupert Grint as he answers fan questions and shares his experiences from filming ‘Knock at the Cabin’. From his preparation for the role to his thoughts on the themes of the movie, this interview has it all.
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