I can say straight up this will not be a movie for everyone, but it really clicked for me. I would also say a blind watch is preferable in movies like this, I went in knowing almost nothing and if possible I think that's the way to watch the movie if possible.
For me it was incredibly immersive once established, with incredible sound design and score. The slow build of tension, unease and dread as things unfold. I'll admit, I've always been a fan of mediums that give the viewer the same amount of knowledge of whats going on as the characters have, and this nails that.
The premise has a whole has been done many times before, including this years Knock at the Cabin, but I've not seen that or read the book it was based on. But in relation to the other similar films, this takes the top spot for me.
While the ending itself is probably the weakest part of the movie for me personally because it answers just slightly too many questions a little bit too easily, the journey to get there was still worth the time and I think the ending might still work for others.
Great premise, characters, story, sound design, and direction. One of my new favorite end of the world movies. 9/10.
I love reading all the fragile white men (I am a white man) cry because a black character says something negative about white people, or a white woman is portrayed as a bit racist. These characters were very true to life, and any callout of race is now “woke”. What about the thousands of movies from 1900 till now that portray white characters as black saviors, or black people as helpless/illiterate/etc. I guess those are fine because it doesn’t hurt your feelings and makes you feel good. Maybe it’s okay to show how black people feel without demonizing them? Maybe you will never understand what’s it’s like to be black in America, especially when you don’t believe there is even real racism effecting many parts of black of America to this day. If being “woke” means you can empathize with the experience of others without crying about yourself then I’ll be woke. “White” is a complete bullshit race anyway. We are from different ethnicities (Irish, Italian, German, English, Polish, etc.) Many of which groups were not even considered white until the 20th century. Even Hispanic is becoming part of the “white” in group. The only people who will never be white are black people. Stop crying that “white” people are being attacked.
Oh god.. where do I even start.
The Good:
The Premise was one of the biggest strengths of the movie, aligns perfectly with the thought provoking narrative. The film captures fear and confusion as the world is crumbling around them, from the get-go the viewer is suppose to keep guessing what's happening and leaving us doubting the very meaning of existence. Director Sam Esmail does an excellent job at keeping the viewer engaged throughout the movie despite the inconsistent pacing in the later parts. The performances by all the adults are masterful.Unlike the cookie-cutter disaster movie you get most of the time, this time you are not puzzled with clear cut answers but rather invites the viewer to question the nature of the crisis befalling.
The Bad
I thought I was the only one who felt the cinematography and the camerawork was overdone but some reviews I read the same thing, the constant use of slow motion and the subtle movement of the camera while transitioning smoothly to different cuts, although unique, it's overdone and looses its magic too soon. I had the same problem with the soundtrack sometimes the film tries to overexaggerate suspense and abruptly ends.
Recommendation
If you enjoy slow-burning, thought provoking philosophical thrillers, "Leave the World Behind" is a must watch, if you are not a fan of open-ended conclusions and prefer action packed disaster movies, this is clearly not for you.
"The four of us are here to prevent the apocalypse. We - and when I say, "we", I mean everyone in this cabin, can stop it from happening, but only with your help. Ultimately, where the world ends or not is completely up to you three."
Went into Knock at the Cabin blind and it went a totally different route then I expected it to go but near the end before they told us I had a feeling these four "strangers" represented the four Horseman of the Apocalypse and seeing Ron Weasley as one of them was great. First movie I think I ever saw with Rupert Grint in which he isn't a wizard. Fun Stuff!
I also have to give big Dave Bautista a shoutout. He is getting better and better and hopefully he will get many more interesting movie roles! He might not be the draw "The Rock" is but he surely to me acting wise, the best pro wrestler turned actor.
Anyway M. Night Shyamalan's Knock at the Cabin is a great to look at, has great acting, a cute kid in Kristen Cui, it has a infomercial, sadly no Batista Bomb, great self constructed weapons, is never dull and has no twist.
After seeing the movie I am interested in reading the book on which it is based. Which is always a good sign and I'm always happy to see a enjoyable M. Night movie.
Honestly, I enjoyed the hell out of this movie. Subjectively, yes the book is better.
But the way Shyamalan changed the story structure makes sense for a mainstream audience. And he does it really well. I’ve seen other comments of people saying Shyamalan directed the crap out of this movie, and yes he did. I’d say this is probably his best yet.
My only nit-picks are that the “invaders” don’t seem to be as passionate as they are portrayed in the book. As the narrative continues in the book, the tension gets ratcheted up so freakin high. You really question if these “invaders” are really there to do some divine intervention for the world, or if it’s just an intricate hate crime.
I saw someone else said that Leonard didn’t seem to get as desperate towards the end of the movie like he does in the book. And yes, I totally agree.
I feel like the stuff having to do with Redmond got cut too short as well. It goes on for a while in the book, wondering what their true motives are after learning who Redmond actually is. I loved seeing Rupert Grint in a movie again, so I was hoping they would’ve gave him more stuff to do.
But I get it, you can only put so much into a movie that is also in the original source material and still try and keep people’s attention.
All in all though, nit-picks aside, I loved this movie. I loved the Dads, I loved the girl who played Wen (I love that Hollywood is getting great kid actors), and I loved how it ended up.
Praise for Paul Tremblay (the author) as well! His first novel to get the movie treatment!
Now they need to adapt A Head Full of Ghosts!
