The Woman in Cabin 10 Review: Keira Knightley’s Chilling New Mystery

If you’re a fan of tense, claustrophobic whodunits, your Netflix algorithm has probably already suggested The Woman in Cabin 10. This new mystery thriller promises a cocktail of luxury, suspense, and gaslighting on the high seas. But does it deliver a first-class journey or does it sink under its own ambition? In this The Woman in Cabin 10 Review, we’ll dive into the glamorous world of the uber-rich to see if this mystery is worth your watch.

The story follows Laura, a journalist played by the always-compelling Keira Knightley. She’s on assignment to cover the maiden voyage of a giant, ultra-luxury yacht, a floating palace for a philanthropic enterprise led by an ailing leader. Think billionaires, champagne, and endless ocean views. But the vacation vibe quickly vanishes when Laura witnesses what she believes is a gruesome murder in the cabin next to hers—Cabin 10. The problem? When the alarm is raised, all passengers and crew are accounted for. No one is missing, and no one believes her.

A Classic Mystery Setup with a Modern Twist

The premise of The Woman in Cabin 10 will feel delightfully familiar to mystery lovers. It shares DNA with Agatha Christie classics like Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile, as well as the suspense of Rear Window. We have a contained setting—a isolated yacht—and a single, unreliable-seeming witness. The central theme, as Laura is dismissed and doubted at every turn, is gaslighting. The film does this very well, masterfully planting seeds of doubt not just in the minds of the characters, but in ours as well. Is Laura losing her grip, or is there a sinister conspiracy at play?

For the first half, this is incredibly captivating. The movie successfully makes you question everything. Maybe Laura is an unreliable narrator? The lack of evidence and the plausible alternative explanations the story provides make the core mystery—did it even happen?—genuinely intriguing.

A Stellar Cast, But a Wasted Opportunity

One of the biggest draws of this film is its incredible cast. Alongside Keira Knightley’s commanding lead performance, we see stars like Hannah Waddingham, Guy Pearce, Kaya Scodelario, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. On paper, this is an ensemble to rival any great mystery.

However, this is where our The Woman in Cabin 10 Review hits its first major snag. Sadly, the rest of the group are treated as complete strangers. We learn that they are rich, mainly snobbish, and fully self-absorbed. While this effectively makes us distrust everyone, it also renders them utterly forgettable. These talented actors are given minimal screen time and little to do, becoming little more than well-dressed window dressing as Laura bounces between them, either losing her mind or piecing together clues. It feels like a profound waste of talent. At a tight 92 minutes, the film really could have benefited from an extra 15-20 minutes of character interaction to build out suspicion and make us actually care about who the culprit might be.

Style Over Substance? The Look and Feel of the Film

Visually, the film is engaging and beautiful. The directors make excellent use of the yacht’s tight, opulent spaces and often shoot from uncomfortable angles. This technique amps up the feeling of claustrophobia, mistrust, and curiosity. Everything on screen is polished and sparkling, which perfectly fits the story’s setting. This isn’t meant to be a gritty, grim tale; it’s a story about the uber-rich, and the shiny, new aesthetic works to its advantage, creating a stark contrast to the dark secret festering beneath the surface.

Where This “The Woman in Cabin 10 Review” Goes Overboard: The Letdown of the Final Act

Here is the biggest disappointment in our The Woman in Cabin 10. What starts as a promising and conspiratorial mystery devolves into a rote and paint-by-the-numbers finale. The final act removes nearly all creativity and surprise, opting instead to wrap up the story as succinctly as possible. It’s a real letdown.

Just when the story delves into an area that could have taken a real risk, the plot provides a quick and easy way out. This significantly reduces the overall tension and, sadly, the viewer’s interest. There was so much potential here to craft a twisted, dark mystery that fully used its limited setting to create an unforgettable ending. Instead, we get a rushed and shallow conclusion that rapidly transitions the film from fun to fundamentally flawed.

The Final Verdict: Is It Worth Watching?

So, what’s the final word in this The Woman in Cabin 10?

This is a tough one. The film has a great lead performance, a fantastic premise, and a healthy dose of style. The theme of gaslighting is executed effectively for the first two acts, making you question reality alongside the protagonist. However, the underdeveloped supporting characters and, most critically, the disappointing and rushed finale hold it back from being a great mystery.

For a casual, undemanding watch on a lazy afternoon, you could do worse. The glamour and initial intrigue might be enough to keep you entertained. But if you’re a mystery purist looking for a satisfying payoff that matches a strong setup, you might find yourself feeling adrift.

With no sex or nudity, some profanity, and some violence, it’s accessible for most audiences. In the spirit of the reviewer from bingeworthyshow, I’d give The Woman in Cabin 10 a middle-of-the-road two and a half stars.

Have you seen The Woman in Cabin 10? What are your favorite films that explore the theme of gaslighting? I’d love to get your recommendations in the comments below