Critics Slam Keira Knightley’s New Netflix Thriller, Scores Only 27% on Rotten Tomatoes

Netflix’s latest psychological thriller, The Woman in Cabin 10, starring Keira Knightley, has failed to impress critics after its release on October 10.

Directed by Simon Stone and co-written with Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse, the film is based on Ruth Ware’s 2016 novel and also features Guy Pearce, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, and Hannah Waddingham.

The movie, set on a luxurious cruise ship, follows Knightley’s character as she becomes entangled in a tense and mysterious plot. However, critics have largely panned the film, citing a lack of originality and weak storytelling.

On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a low 27% approval rating based on 37 reviews, while audience ratings on other platforms are equally lukewarm.

Via Rotten Tomatoes

Reviewers noted that while Knightley’s performance is energetic, the movie struggles to maintain suspense and relies heavily on predictable plot twists.

The story starts with promise but gradually becomes clumsy and overly manipulative, with moments that strain believability. Many critics also felt that the film recycles clichés from older thrillers without adding any fresh perspective, leaving it forgettable once the credits roll.

‘…The Woman in Cabin 10 cycles through ancient cliches but fails to update them or even refresh them in an interesting way…plays like the most dynamic British film of 1934, something you’d find playing at 6am in the morning on a vintage movies channel…’

Knightley running up and down trying not to lose her mind in this, is quite entertaining. But that’s not enough to salvage a predictable film mystery experience.

The Woman in Cabin 10 is the kind of mid-tier movie we’ve come to expect from Netflix. Not great, not terrible. Just entertaining enough to hold your attention and then completely forget as soon as the credits roll.

…this psychological thriller has an interesting start, but as it progresses, it becomes increasingly clumsy, manipulative, predictable, and even adds in some less-than-believable plot twists.

Netflix has definitely given us worse ways to kill an hour and a half, many of them louder, costlier and more inane. But watching this fumble its few volleys of suspense and get increasingly far-fetched, it feels like a waste…

Despite some entertainment value, most reviewers agreed that the movie fails to fully deliver on the tension and excitement expected from a psychological thriller.

Its attempt at suspense falls flat, and the few dramatic moments it offers are not enough to make up for the predictable storyline.

The Woman in Cabin 10 could have benefited from a tighter script and more creative plot development. Keira Knightley is compelling as always, but even her performance can’t lift the movie above its shortcomings. Do you think Netflix should take more risks with its thrillers, or is sticking to familiar formulas fine? Share your thoughts in the comments.