Twist-loving filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan is taking a rare step outside of the PG-13 rating with his next feature film. Knock at the Cabin, a psychological horror helmed by Shyamalan that comes to theaters in February, has officially been rated R. The rating is for "violence and language," which makes sense given the genre and what we know about the plot, though the rating may still be a bit surprising for fans, as it will be the first time in 15 years that Shyamalan has released a rated R film.
Previously, Shyamalan helmed 2008's The Happening, a horror film that starred Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel. Though a big hit at the box office, the film was pretty heavily panned and is not seen as one of the best examples of Shyamalan's work. That might have played a part in why he's often played it safe by sticking with films that don't push the envelope past a PG-13 rating, as The Happening has ever since remained the filmmaker's only R-rated film. But he seems to be pretty optimistic in how Knock at the Cabin will be received, even with an increase in violence and language compared to previous Shyamalan movies.
"One week finished on Knock at the Cabin," the filmmaker posted on social media during filming. "Such intricate performances this week. Very dark, emotional film. One take shook me up so much I had to walk away to collect myself. Hopefully you'll feel it as well when you guys see it."
Knock at the Cabin Is Based on a Book
Knock at the Cabin is based on the book The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul G. Tremblay; M. Night Shyamalan wrote the screenplay for the film alongside Steve Desmond and Michael Sherman. Shyamalan also produced with Marc Bienstock and Ashwin Rajan. The movie features a strong ensemble cast that includes such names as Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy series), Jonathan Groff (The Matrix Resurrections), Ben Aldridge (The Long Call), Abby Quinn (Better Call Saul), and Rupert Grint (Harry Potter series).
The official synopsis for Knock at the Cabin is as follows:
While vacationing at a remote cabin, a young girl and her parents are taken hostage by four armed strangers who demand that the family make an unthinkable choice to avert the apocalypse. With limited access to the outside world, the family must decide what they believe before all is lost.
Knock at the Cabin will be released in movie theaters on Feb. 3, 2023.