Hollywood’s leading lady, Keira Knightley, is back on Netflix with The Woman in Cabin 10, following her successful stint in last year’s acclaimed spy series Black Doves, which earned her rave reviews and a second season, reports the Manchester Evening News.
This time around, the Pirates of The Caribbean and Bend It Like Beckham actress steps into the shoes of respected journalist Laura ‘Lo’ Blacklock, who finds herself embarking on an assignment aboard a luxury yacht filled with eccentric and outrageously wealthy characters.
What initially appears to be a cushy gig for the reporter swiftly spirals into a life-or-death situation for Lo after she witnesses a woman being tossed overboard from the adjacent cabin 10.
However, there’s a catch: no one was supposed to be staying in that room and all passengers are accounted for.
This sparks a relentless pursuit for the truth, with Lo hell-bent on validating what she saw, despite grappling with personal issues and facing the collective disdain of her fellow high-end passengers, who simply want to indulge in food, drink and revelry.
Adapted from British author Ruth Ware’s 2016 novel of the same title, The Woman in Cabin 10 initially strikes the right chord as viewers are taken on a thrilling journey with Lo as she scrambles to gather any shred of evidence of the murder and validate her sanity.
Regrettably, the narrative begins to lose momentum and feels repetitive halfway through as Lo faces continuous resistance from characters such as philanthropist Richard Buller (portrayed by Guy Pearce), Dr Robert Mehta (Art Malik) and rock star Danny Tyler (Paul Kaye).
By the time we reach the climax, it’s challenging to sustain any suspension of disbelief. The plot pushes the boundaries to such an extent that it veers into the realm of absurdity, but by this stage, we’re already committed to seeing it through.
The only saving grace of The Woman in Cabin 10 is Knightley’s compelling performance at the centre of the story, which keeps you rooting for Lo with her unwavering determination.
Other cast members include Hannah Waddingham from Ted Lasso, The Crown’s Danny Ings and David Morrissey of Sherwood fame.
There’s even a Pirates of The Caribbean crossover with Knightley and Dead Men Tell No Tales star Kaya Scodelario, who plays a shallow influencer, takes a selfie with Lo and warns her to tread carefully. Despite everyone being entertaining enough, it’s Knightley who carries the weight of this story.
Of course, there’s the $150million super yacht, where the film was shot, that truly immerses audiences with its claustrophobic corridors and confined spaces. Despite its glitz and glamour, the luxury vessel can’t hide the shortcomings of this film.
A more concise script maintaining a brisk pace might have prevented this thriller from sinking like its titular character.
The Woman in Cabin 10 is released on Netflix today