Netflix’s latest psychological thriller, The Woman in Cabin 10, has made waves since its release, drawing audiences into a world of paranoia, intrigue, and claustrophobic suspense. Adapted from Ruth Ware’s 2016 bestseller, the film is directed by Simon Stone and anchored by a performance from Keira Knightley that’s already being praised for its depth and authenticity. But what is it about this film that has everyone talking—and how did its creative team bring such an old-school sense of tension into the streaming age?
According to Variety, when Simon Stone first encountered the script, he was struck by its "Hitchcockian" flavor, reminiscent of thrillers from the post-Watergate era—a time when the world seemed to teeter on the edge of chaos. "I was really intrigued by how much it felt like it came from an era of movies that we don’t really do anymore," Stone said. His vision was to channel that bygone cinematic tension, but with a modern twist.
At the heart of the film is Lo Blacklock, an investigative journalist played by Knightley. Lo boards a billionaire’s luxury cruise ship for what should be a routine assignment: writing about a charitable foundation to be established by the dying Anne Bullmer (Lisa Loven Kongsli) and her husband, Richard Bullmer (Guy Pearce). The guest list is a who’s who of the rich and restless, including Lo’s ex-boyfriend and assigned photographer Ben (David Ajala), wealthy gallerist Heidi (Hannah Waddingham), Anne’s doctor (Art Malik), rockstar Danny Tyler (Paul Kaye), his influencer girlfriend (Kaya Scodelario), and socialite Adam (Daniel Ings).
But the glamorous surface of the yacht hides a labyrinthine underbelly. Lo’s stay quickly turns sinister when she witnesses, or believes she witnesses, a woman being thrown overboard from the neighboring cabin. When she raises the alarm, everyone on board insists there was never a guest in that cabin, and the evidence has mysteriously vanished. The film’s tension ratchets up as Lo, dismissed as hysterical, refuses to let go of the truth—even as her own grip on reality begins to slip.
Stone’s approach to creating this atmosphere was unconventional. As reported by Digital Trends, he chose to forgo rehearsals entirely, even for Knightley’s pivotal scenes. "Keira’s performance doesn’t feel fake at all," Stone explained. "You go, ‘Oh wow. She’s really reacting to stuff.’" This spontaneity, Stone believes, is what gives the film its raw, unpredictable edge. Drawing on his background in theater, Stone said he values mistakes and the energy they bring: "Mistakes are like my favorite thing in art. For me, whenever I see a mistake, it feels like an extraordinary moment."
Knightley herself embraced the challenge. To prepare for the role, Stone had her watch a series of iconic thrillers—The Conversation, The Parallax View, All the President’s Men, and Three Days of the Condor. Knightley, already a fan of the genre, relished the chance to play a lead role traditionally reserved for men. "The opportunity to play that lead character—that is normally a man—was just one that I thought, ‘Oh God, this is exciting,’" she said to Variety. Knightley aimed to channel the "calm" performances of Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, and Warren Beatty, while dialing up the paranoia to suit Lo’s unraveling world.
Author Ruth Ware was thrilled by Knightley’s casting, noting, "On the one hand she’s got a fragility, a sort of vulnerability, and on the other she’s got a real inner strength—a core of steel and an unshakeable sense of what is right. I think Keira nails that." The result is a lead character who is both relatable and formidable, her vulnerability making her all the more determined to seek justice.
Guy Pearce, who plays the enigmatic billionaire Richard Bullmer, continues his streak of portraying morally ambiguous figures. Fresh off an Oscar nomination for The Brutalist, Pearce told Variety, "I find myself drawn to characters that have internal darkness and things that they’re dealing with themselves because it’s just interesting stuff to play." He joked about the risk of being typecast, but his performance here adds another layer to the film’s sense of unease.
The film’s production was as dynamic as its plot. Stone recounted to Digital Trends how even the sweeping shots of the yacht in Norway’s fjords were captured with improvisation and real-time coordination between drone pilots and boat captains. "That requires a great level of responsiveness and a kind of spontaneity on the part of everyone, and really staying in the moment," he said. The result is a film that feels alive, its tension heightened by the unpredictability of its creation.
Critical response has been mixed but engaged. As Polygon observed, the film is "simple and snappy, like reading an airport novel." The confined setting works well for building suspense, and the ensemble cast—each playing their archetypal roles—serves the story’s twists and turns. While some critics have pointed out predictable elements and questionable character decisions, especially regarding Ben’s actions, most agree that the film delivers enough intrigue to keep viewers guessing.
For those who love a good whodunit, The Woman in Cabin 10 scratches the itch. Its blend of old-school thriller vibes, a strong female lead, and a plot that keeps audiences playing detective has made it a popular addition to Netflix’s growing library of original mysteries. As Stone puts it, "There is an overlap between people who read bestseller thrillers and people who watch Hitchcockian movies. I think there are significant parts of that Venn diagram that are free for people who have no experience with that book and are going to find it genuinely shocking."
Looking ahead, both Knightley and Pearce have busy schedules. Knightley is set to return for a second season of Netflix’s Black Doves and is involved in a new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, while Pearce will appear in Ridley Scott’s upcoming sci-fi film The Dog Stars. As for The Woman in Cabin 10, it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of a good mystery—and the power of a director willing to embrace the unknown.
With its blend of classic suspense and modern filmmaking bravado, The Woman in Cabin 10 offers viewers a tense, stylish ride through the stormy waters of doubt, deception, and determination. For fans of the genre, it’s a voyage well worth taking.
