MUST-WATCH: A knock at the cabin, and a thrill at the box office

Kristen Cui in Knock at the Cabin, courtesy of Universal Pictures.

By James Mackin

Posted February 6, 2023 12:57 pm.

M. Night Shyamalan, the director we all love to hate and hate to love, has a new film in the MUST-WATCH Top 10! But will his thriller take the top spot, or could it go to an inspiring true life story? Perhaps the return of a Disney animated family? You’ll have to keep reading to find out!

Dear Edward

Where to watch: Apple TV+

Let’s start off this week with a unique drama!

Colin O’Brien and Taylor Schilling in Dear Edward, courtesy of Apple TV+.

Dear Edward is about a young boy called Edward (played by newcomer Colin O’Brien). He is the sole survivor of a plane crash, having lost almost his entire family on the flight. There is a gigantic media frenzy around him, with many across the nation hoping to learn his story. He’s taken in by his aunt (played by Taylor Schilling from Orange is the New Black) who isn’t sure if she can raise him, especially as she’s struggling with the loss of her family too. Edward’s story leads him to connect with other relatives of the survivors, potentially giving them all a means to grieve and move on. This show also stars Amy Forsyth (from CODA), Maxwell Jenkins (from Sense8), and Connie Britton (from the White Lotus).

You can watch the first three episodes of this show on Apple TV+ now, with other episodes coming out weekly!

Knock at the Cabin

Where to watch: Cinemas

Next up, it’s a return for M. Night Shyamalan!

Knock at the Cabin is the thriller director’s latest film, and the first time he’s worked with Dave Bautista (from Glass Onion and Guardians of the Galaxy). This film is about two married men (played by Ben Aldridge from Pennyworth and Johnathan Groff from Mindhunter) who take a vacation to a cabin in the woods with their adopted daughter (played by newcomer Kristen Cui). One day, Bautista’s character walks up to the daughter and has a brief conversation with her. Then three other people walk up with weapons. They join Bautista in taking the family of three hostage, and tell them that they have been chosen to prevent the apocalypse. But the way they must do it is by intentionally sacrificing one of their own. It doesn’t matter which one dies, but one of them must choose to die. This film also stars Rupert Grint (from Servant), Nikki Amuka-Bird (from Old), and Abby Quinn (from Mad About You).

You can watch this film in cinemas now!

Harlem (Season 2)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Now, let’s take a trip to New York City!

Harlem is a show starring Meagan Good (from Think Like a Man), Grace Byers (from Empire), Jerrie Johnson (from Mother’s Milk), and Shoniqua Shandai (from Bodied) as four friends who first met when they all attended New York University together. Now they’re all in their 30s, living in Harlem, and trying to be the best they can. Imagine a 2020s version of Sex in the City, but one that’s not so whitewashed. When we last left the girls, they were dealing with returning exes, unique fashion choices, and white women not understanding the issues black women face.

You can watch both seasons of this show on Amazon Prime Video now!

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Season 2)

Where to watch: Disney+

Next up, it’s time to return to the Proud family!

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Season 2

Penny Proud and Suga Mama in the second season of the Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, courtesy of Disney.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder is back! For those who don’t know, this is a reboot of a popular animated show from the early 2000s about the fictional Proud family. The main character is the daughter Penny (played by Kyla Pratt from Dr. Doolittle), an outspoken and smart 16 year old. She’s a straight A student, works for the school’s newspaper, and doesn’t take anybody’s crap! The show depicts her adventures going to school, as well as her family life with young fraternal twins. This show also stars Paula Jai Parker (from Friday), Tommy Davidson (from Bamboozled), and Soleil Moon Frye (from Punky Brewster).

You can watch both seasons of this show on Disney+ now!

True Spirit

Where to watch: Netflix

Finally, an incredibly inspiring true story!

True Spirit is the tale of Jessica Watson, a real life inspiration. As a 16 year old, she successfully became the youngest person to sail around the globe on her own. She’s played here by Tegan Croft (from Titans), who portrays the character as a determined teenager still trying to figure out what kind of person she is. She also struggles with dyslexia, making her charting experience incredibly hard. But despite the odds, she’s able to travel the world in a matter of months. This film also stars Anna Paquin (from Margaret), Josh Lawson (from Superstore), and Cliff Curtis (from Avatar: The Way of Water).

You can watch this film on Netflix now!