Keira Knightley returns to the screen in a lavish yet ultimately disappointing thriller that proves even the most luxurious settings can't compensate for a waterlogged plot. The Woman in Cabin 10, adapted from Ruth Ware's bestselling novel, sets sail with promise but quickly finds itself lost at sea.
A Premise Ripe With Potential
The film places Knightley as Lo Blacklock, a travel journalist aboard the opulent Aurora Borealis megayacht for a week-long cruise. The stunning Scandinavian fjords provide a breathtaking backdrop for what should be a career-defining assignment. Instead, Blacklock finds herself trapped in a nightmare when she witnesses a woman being thrown overboard from the neighbouring cabin.
The central mystery hooks viewers immediately: why does everyone aboard insist no such passenger ever existed? The stage seems perfectly set for a tense, claustrophobic thriller in the tradition of Agatha Christie.
Style Over Substance
Director James Watkins creates undeniable visual splendour aboard the megayacht. The film glitters with polished surfaces, endless champagne, and designer outfits that scream luxury. Yet this emphasis on aesthetics often comes at the expense of genuine tension.
Knightley delivers a committed performance, convincingly portraying a woman whose credibility and sanity are constantly questioned. However, the script gives her little room to develop beyond standard thriller archetypes - the unreliable witness battling personal demons.
Familiar Waters
The film struggles to distinguish itself from countless similar mysteries. The tropes come thick and fast: the protagonist no one believes, the overly charming suspicious characters, the conveniently missing evidence. While the Nordic setting provides fresh scenery, the narrative beats feel disappointingly familiar.
Supporting characters, including the yacht's wealthy owner and various guests, remain underdeveloped, serving more as plot devices than fully realised people. The mystery itself unfolds with predictable twists that dedicated thriller fans will see coming from miles away.
What Works and What Doesn't
- Strengths: Beautiful cinematography, strong central performance from Knightley, atmospheric setting
- Weaknesses: Predictable plot, underdeveloped supporting characters, reliance on tired thriller conventions
- Verdict: A handsomely produced but ultimately forgettable entry into the mystery-thriller genre
While The Woman in Cabin 10 provides adequate entertainment for a casual viewing, it fails to make waves in a crowded genre. The pieces are all there - star power, stunning locations, source material with proven appeal - but they never coalesce into something truly compelling.
For Knightley completists or viewers seeking undemanding escapism, the film might satisfy. Those hoping for a genuinely suspenseful or innovative thriller, however, will likely find this voyage more tedious than terrifying.
