Netflix is the one streaming service that pumps out a lot of original content every week. While that’s a win for subscribers to the increasingly expensive platform, it does come with some consequences. One consequence is that not all original movies and shows will be top quality. Still, at least Netflix delivers what its mystery thrillers usually promise: easy entertainment.
“The Woman in Cabin 10” is the latest movie in that long list of originals, and it’s one I’ve had my eye on ever since the first trailer was released. Based on Ruth Ware’s bestselling novel of the same name, it follows Keira Knightley’s character as she witnesses someone being thrown off a luxury yacht, only for no one to believe her.
While I suspect most reviews for this one will be mixed, I found it … adequate. Maybe it’s because my expectations were low, or perhaps it’s simply a relief after a run of underwhelming Netflix originals. Regardless, “The Woman in Cabin 10” is a thriller that mostly stays afloat but not without its flaws threatening to pull it under.
I’m very confident “The Woman in Cabin 10” will secure the No. 1 spot on Netflix now that it’s streaming, but here’s everything you need to know about this mystery thriller before watching (and my honest thoughts).
What is ‘The Woman in Cabin 10’ about?
“The Woman in Cabin 10” follows journalist Laura “Lo” Blacklock (Keira Knightley) as she joins a luxury cruise on a superyacht to document a feature story. On a late night, she witnesses a woman being thrown overboard from Cabin 10, but when she raises the alarm, she is told she must be mistaken because all passengers are accounted for and there was never anyone in that cabin.
Despite the skepticism, Lo pursues her own investigation, questioning crew members and fellow guests, digging into ship records, and challenging denials. Her search for the truth becomes a fight for survival as she tries to untangle what really happened on that fateful night.
Suspense on the surface, turbulence beneath
“The Woman in Cabin 10” opens like most standard mystery thrillers, with exposition that tells us Knightley’s character, Lo, is a successful journalist, she has an ex named Ben (David Ajala), and that she witnessed someone get drowned because they decided to tell Lo the truth about a case. All of these details are important later in the movie, but while it makes sense to plant these seeds, it feels unnecessarily forced, almost as if viewers aren’t trusted to piece things together themselves.
The tension ramps up when Lo is invited to an incredibly posh superyacht, filled with several characters who have thin personalities and deliver cheesy lines of dialogue. This is probably the biggest early complaint: these characters are not interesting at all, and it’s surprising how little screen time they receive, considering everyone eventually becomes a suspect.
While the movie lacks three-dimensional characters and realistic dialogue, it makes up for this in its ability to build suspense. Once the murder occurs, Lo’s panic is shown through montages of the crew moving from room to room and shots of chaotic waves enveloping the ship, drawing you in immediately. From that point on, the mystery and tension are enough to keep you hooked, especially as everyone refuses to believe Lo, attributing her claims to trauma from witnessing a drowning.
From that point on, Lo switches fully into journalist mode, determined to uncover the truth. She knows the woman in cabin 10 was thrown overboard, and someone is clearly trying to cover it up and eliminate any remaining evidence. I have to admit, the middle section of the movie is arguably the strongest, as we’re deep into the mystery at that point, and I didn’t see the plot twist coming.
“The Woman in Cabin 10” thrives on its central mystery and the constant panic and gaslighting that Lo faces, with Knightley portraying her frustration brilliantly. It’s reminiscent of how women in this field are often dismissed or accused of “overreacting,” which makes the conclusion all the more satisfying. That said, the final act goes completely off the rails.
I can’t say much because I don't want to spoil anyone, but once the truth is revealed, the ending feels rushed and somewhat strange. I’m used to murder mysteries revealing the answers at the very end, yet here we get the revelation by the close of the second act, after which the narrative takes a huge (and unwarranted) turn. The tension evaporates almost immediately.
Still, this mystery thriller has enough suspense and a solid performance from Knightley to keep you engaged, with a decent plot twist — but the movie lacks real substance, and I can’t help but feel a little adrift by the end.
Stream ‘The Woman in Cabin 10’ on Netflix now
If you enjoy a tense mystery thriller and need something to watch this weekend, I’d still recommend “The Woman in Cabin 10,” simply because it’s an easy, uncomplicated watch. Knightley is charming as always, and once the juicy mystery kicks in, you’ll find yourself eager to uncover more. It ends up being an entertaining voyage, despite its glaring flaws.
Call it a hunch, but “The Woman in Cabin 10” is guaranteed to be a No. 1 hit on Netflix in the coming days. Subscribers view mystery thrillers like the most delicious streaming treat (me included), and pair that with big names like Keira Knightley, Guy Pearce, and Hannah Waddingham, and you’ve got a thriller that will likely grab attention — but not necessarily for its quality.
Stream "The Woman in Cabin 10" on Netflix.
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