Netflix’s latest psychological thriller, The Woman in Cabin 10, has found itself at the center of a stormy debate since its release on October 10, 2025. Starring Keira Knightley as the troubled journalist Laura “Lo” Blacklock, the film has quickly soared to the top of the streamer’s global charts, even as both critics and audiences seem sharply divided over its merits. Based on Ruth Ware’s New York Times bestselling novel, the movie has drawn attention for its high-profile cast and suspenseful premise—but has also triggered disappointment among fans of the book and genre aficionados alike.
At its core, The Woman in Cabin 10 is a high-seas whodunit. The story follows Lo Blacklock, a London-based investigative journalist still reeling from the psychological fallout of a traumatic exposé on NGO embezzlement. Sent on a supposedly low-stress assignment by her editor, Rowan (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), Lo boards the Aurora Borealis, a lavish yacht owned by shipping magnate Richard Bullmer (Guy Pearce). The purpose? To cover a fundraising voyage for a cancer foundation tied to Bullmer’s ailing wife, Anne Lyngstad (Lisa Loven Kongsli), a Norwegian heiress dying of cancer.
The trip is meant to be a palate cleanser for Lo—a chance to restore her “shaky faith in humanity,” according to India Today. But the voyage quickly devolves into a nightmare. On her first night, Lo witnesses what appears to be a woman thrown overboard from the adjacent cabin. When she raises the alarm, she’s met with skepticism: all passengers and crew are accounted for, and cabin 10 is supposedly empty. The film’s claustrophobic setting—a gilded cage at sea—amplifies Lo’s isolation as she struggles to convince anyone that a crime has occurred.
As Cosmopolitan details, the stakes escalate when it’s revealed that the woman Lo saw, Carrie (Gitte Witt), was hired by Richard to impersonate Anne Lyngstad. The plan? Carrie would sign a will diverting Anne’s fortune to Richard, rather than to charity as Anne intended. But when Anne discovers the ruse, Richard murders her, throwing her overboard in the very incident Lo witnesses. The conspiracy deepens, with Richard, Dr. Mehta (Art Malik), and the yacht’s captain (John Macmillan) plotting to silence Lo permanently.
Lo’s journey becomes a desperate struggle for survival. After being locked in a mechanical room by Carrie—who fears for her own life—Lo manages to convince her unlikely ally to help. Together, they attempt an escape. In a harrowing sequence, Lo is nearly killed by Dr. Mehta via lethal injection, only to be saved by her ex-boyfriend Ben Morgan (David Ajala), a photographer on board. Tragically, Ben is killed in the process, a moment that Cosmopolitan describes as both heroic and heartbreaking.
In a final act of courage, Lo escapes the yacht by plunging into icy waters and swimming ashore. She arrives at the gala in Norway, where she exposes Richard’s crimes using Anne’s real speech, which outlines her intent to donate her wealth to charity. The climax is a tense showdown: Richard, cornered, threatens Carrie but is ultimately shot by Sigrid (Amanda Collin), Anne’s head of security. Lo delivers a decisive blow, sending Richard to his death.
After the ordeal, Lo returns to her journalistic roots, publishing a story that honors Anne’s charitable legacy and Ben’s sacrifice. Meanwhile, Carrie attempts to rebuild her life, sending Lo a video message and an invitation to visit—a bittersweet coda to the film’s relentless tension.
Despite its gripping narrative, The Woman in Cabin 10 has faced a critical backlash. The film holds a 27% score from critics and a 33% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers have lambasted it as “predictable,” “an unbelievable mess,” and “absolute tosh,” according to aggregated feedback cited by MovieWeb. While some praise the cast—Knightley, Pearce, Art Malik, and Hannah Waddingham—others question why such talented actors would sign on, jokingly wondering, “what huge bills did they have to pay off to want to star in this movie?”
Technical execution has drawn mixed reviews. India Today notes that while the film is “technically competent” and features “solid performances,” it “settles too comfortably into genre convention.” The suspense is described as “mildly engaging,” but the plot’s predictability and lack of a knockout twist leave it feeling “distinctly forgettable.” The film, directed by Simon Stone, is compared unfavorably to genre standouts like Gone Girl, with critics arguing that it follows the psychological thriller playbook too closely, sacrificing genuine surprise and tension.
Yet, the numbers don’t lie. As of October 12, 2025, The Woman in Cabin 10 had climbed to the top of Netflix’s global streaming chart, outperforming titles like Kpop Demon Hunters, the Brazilian film Caramelo, and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. This paradox—commercial success in the face of critical disappointment—has become something of a Netflix hallmark. As MovieWeb observes, “Netflix has created a strange paradox where some of its most successful releases are just not that good, but everyone wants to watch them.” The streamer’s marketing muscle, combined with a star-studded cast and an irresistible premise, appears to be enough to draw in viewers, regardless of reviews.
The film’s brisk 90-minute runtime (some sources list it as 92 minutes) makes it an easy weekend binge, and its closed-circle mystery setup—reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s classics—offers just enough intrigue to keep audiences guessing, at least initially. The yacht itself becomes a character, a “gilded cage” that traps its passengers and heightens the sense of paranoia and danger. Knightley’s portrayal of Lo, haunted by PTSD and anxiety, adds a layer of psychological complexity, even if the screenplay doesn’t fully capitalize on her talents.
Behind the scenes, the film boasts the involvement of producer Debra Hayward, known for her work on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Atonement. While this pedigree raised expectations, some viewers were left wanting more, particularly those who cherished the “unputdownable” quality of Ware’s original novel.
Ultimately, The Woman in Cabin 10 is a study in contrasts. It’s a film that’s technically polished and anchored by a strong cast, yet hampered by a predictable plot and underwhelming suspense. Its success on Netflix speaks to the power of streaming platforms to create hits independent of traditional critical acclaim. For those seeking a quick, atmospheric thriller with a dash of high-society intrigue and a capable lead, it delivers exactly what it promises—no more, no less.
As the credits roll and debate continues to swirl online, one thing is clear: in the crowded waters of Netflix thrillers, The Woman in Cabin 10 has managed to make a splash, even if it hasn’t charted a new course for the genre.
