Film ● Review: The Woman in Cabin 10
- Very Average Joe
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Title: The Woman in Cabin 10
Director(s): Simon Stone
Screenwriter(s): Joe Shrapnel, Anna Waterhouse & Simon Stone (Emma Frost)
Studio: Sister
Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 32m
Starring: Keira Knightley, Guy Pearce, David Ajala, Art Malik, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Gitte Witt
My Verdict: Journalist reports woman going overboard but nobody believes her. Nothing particularly interesting but is intriguing enough initially. Becomes laughable later.
● The film is based on the novel of the same name by Ruth Ware. I have not read the novel so the review is of the film only.
● Laura Blacklock (Keira Knightley), an investigative journalist, has just returned from a difficult assignment when she receives an invitation from billionaire Richard (Guy Pearce) and Anne (Lisa Loven Kongsli) to attend a 3-day cruise on their luxury yacht and a gala in Norway. Anne is terminally ill and wishes to start a foundation.
● So, Laura goes on the cruise since her boss recommends she take a break. Her ex Ben Morgan (David Ajala), a photographer, is also attending. One night, when trying to avoid Ben, she steps into cabin 10 momentarily and sees a blonde woman. Later, whilst in bed, she hears thuds and then a splash before going out to the balcony and catching a glimpse of a body in the water… She reports it but nobody believes her as cabin 10 was supposed to be vacant.
● It is the “I saw something but nobody else did and they don’t believe me” psychological thriller. It’s not a new idea and it’s not a bad idea, but there is nothing in particular that is new or different.
● The narrative goes through the initial cycle of self-doubt: the evidence that supports Laura’s claims was apparently there but is then all gone.
● It is initially intriguing enough and the pacing is steady. Thankfully, one need not wait until the end to see this part of the mystery revealed.
● However, and setting aside that there is nothing particularly new, Blacklock can be somewhat annoying. She is insistent and even impulsive. This is understandable initially but then she just does not know how to play it cool.
● After the usual psychological elements, things get more real. Without spoiling, Blacklock’s life is in danger to the point that the dramatic action becomes laughable.
● Visually, like the yacht, it looks clean and sleek. The palette and lighting are nice. The editing is good although the camera work is mostly conventional. It can use heavier stylization since the film is lacking in other respects.
● Ultimately, there is a reason for what is going on and all is revealed. However, the timing and logistics behind some of the events are too convenient—they are not all nonsense but they just haven’t been thought out well enough. The pacing is not bad and at a runtime of about one and a half hours, it is over quickly enough.
Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list so you get each new Opinyun that comes out!
Comments