Here’s a decent thriller that has “problematic” written all over it. I mean, what exactly would it take for you to off a loved one? Dave Bautista showing up and turning on a television? It would take a bit more than that from me.
Eric and Andrew (Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge) are a gay couple on vacation in the woods. Their adorable seven-year-old adopted daughter, Wen (Kristen Cui), is out collecting grasshoppers when the parade of problematic-yet-provocative entertainment begins. A kindly lummox, Leonard (Bautista), befriends her (despite being a stranger) but Wen gets scared and flees to the house when three others show up, all bearing odd pole-ax type weapons.
Then there is a Knock at the Cabin. I won’t spoil the details; suffice to say the strangers are there for a sacrifice. And Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) is among them. Is this a Sorting Hat thing, Ron? Bottom line is the strangers have all had “visions” of the world ending, like, soon. And they are prepared to watch Fox News as long as it takes to prove it. In short, some plagues are gonna be unleashed followed by the end of civilization as we know it unless Eric, Andrew, and Wen choose to sacrifice one of their bunch. Just these tree guys are in charge of the fate of humanity. Three people from New Jersey.
Well that hardly seems fair.
This is, of course, if we buy this. I kept thinking, “yeah, this would be quite a pickle if I bought the scenario presented. But I don’t.” I mean, what do you really know here? Four strangers come over and ask you to kill one of your own (go ahead a talk amongst yourselves to sort that one out). Ummm, sure. This is kind of a tall ask. You have some sort of proof? Oh, the TV is showing you things. Say, did your dog tell you to kill a bunch of guys like Son of Sam, too? I’m sorry. Before I kill a family member, I’m gonna at least need a notarized request, dig?
Let me tell you exactly how problematic this plot is from the perspective of a genuine skeptic, not the people portrayed in the film or jokers who voted for Trump: a genuine skeptic needs genuine proof. And that means genuine multi-perspective and genuine multi-sourced proof. Hmmm, how shall I put this so even MAGA idiots can understand? I know: When a coach throws the red challenge flag in an NFL game, how many camera angles do you get to see to decide if the call on the field should stand? I personally do not know the answer, but I guarantee it’s more than one. The people who vote out of fear or hate –and every MAGA voter is included in that assessment- and often source only one piece of evidence, only one camera angle, and judge/pass it along without scrutiny… that’s not kosher. Yet such is the M.O. of modern RW behavior. And, the thing is, if your “evidence” on something political is from Fox News or OAN or some similar site, it’s like taking evidence from a camera that isn’t
even in the stadium … AND its operator has a bet on the game. Basically, imagine an official NFL dispute being officiated by a beer-swilling redneck with a thick Boston accent and Patriots hat currently at a car park (sorry, a “cah pawk”) and you’ve got the same thing.
That’s MAGA and that’s also what Knock at the Cabin feels like from time-to-time. They’re in a cabin. They’ve deliberately traveled to a place where they are cut off from the rest of the world. Now, some suicidal weirdos show up asking for a cup of sugar and a sacrifice (less the cup of sugar) and all they got on their side is acting skills and a “TV feed.” Sorry. I’m not convinced. And shame on you bringing so little to the party to convince me.
This film is essentially an argument about faith. Do you have faith that what you’re being told is true? Do you have faith to do something self-damaging of which you are morally and personally opposed for a greater good? It’s not a bad question, really, but it’s posed for people who are already inclined to gullibility and/or exploiting gullibility. Knock at the Cabin is watchable but relies far too heavily on the self-centeredness and naïveté of its audience.
There once was a family of three
Who went on vacation, whoopee!
But then the blue Guardian
Tromped through their yard again
And insisted on insanity
Rated R, 100 Minutes
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Writer: M. Night Shyamalan
Genre: Sucker bait
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Conspiracy theorists
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: People who do research. Real genuine research
