Netflix’s The Woman in Cabin 10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ transforms Ruth Ware’s bestselling thriller into a sleek, sea-bound mystery. Starring Keira Knightley, the film delivers stunning visuals and solid suspense but its predictable plot keeps it from reaching deeper emotional waters.
When Ruth Ware’s bestselling thriller The Woman in Cabin 10 hit bookshelves in 2016, it became an instant phenomenon a claustrophobic, psychological mystery set on the open sea. Nearly a decade later, Netflix has adapted the novel into a glossy film directed by Simon Stone, starring Keira Knightley as journalist Lo Blacklock. With its stunning ocean vistas, sleek interiors, and high-stakes paranoia, the movie promised to bring Ware’s twisty tale to cinematic life. But while the film looks gorgeous and delivers a few genuine chills, it ultimately sails in safer waters than it should.
A Glamorous Setting With a Dark Undercurrent
The story follows Lo Blacklock, a travel journalist still reeling from personal trauma, who lands a coveted assignment aboard an exclusive luxury yacht, The Aurora. It’s the kind of gig most writers only dream of champagne dinners, designer cabins, and an elite list of guests. But Lo’s dream voyage takes a terrifying turn when she witnesses a woman being thrown overboard in the dead of night.
The catch? Every passenger on the manifest is accounted for. The crew denies any disturbance, and Lo quickly finds herself dismissed as unstable, drunk, or delusional. What follows is a desperate attempt to uncover the truth before she becomes the next one to vanish.
Knightley Shines Amid Uneven Depths
Keira Knightley anchors the film with an intensity that keeps it afloat even when the screenplay wobbles. Her portrayal of Lo captures both steely determination and raw vulnerability a woman whose credibility is constantly questioned, even as danger closes in. She sells the paranoia, the exhaustion, and the flickers of fear that make thrillers like this so addictive.
The supporting cast, however, fares less well. Despite strong performers, most side characters remain underdeveloped, serving more as red herrings than real people. This lack of emotional grounding weakens the stakes when the truth finally unravels, it feels more procedural than personal.
Style Over Substance
Visually, The Woman in Cabin 10 is impeccable. The Aurora is rendered with luxurious precision: sleek steel corridors, candlelit dining rooms, and glass decks that contrast beautifully with the cold, endless sea. Cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh (known for The Piano and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) uses the confined setting to evoke both opulence and menace. You can almost feel the ocean pressing in.
Yet for all its style, the film often sacrifices tension for aesthetics. The pacing occasionally drifts, and the mystery’s resolution arrives with a sense of inevitability rather than shock. Critics have called it “a solid B-minus thriller” and that feels about right. It’s polished and competent, but it never quite grips as tightly as it could.
Faithful, But Not Fearless
Book fans will recognize much of Ware’s narrative intact, but some of the novel’s psychological nuance gets lost in translation. Where the book delved into Lo’s fragile mental state and unreliable narration, the film opts for a more straightforward approach. It’s accessible, but also less intriguing. The ambiguity that haunting question of whether Lo truly saw what she thought she saw is resolved too cleanly.
Final Verdict: A Smooth Ride That Lacks Rough Seas
Netflix’s The Woman in Cabin 10 is a well-crafted, watchable thriller that never quite transcends its genre conventions. Its greatest strengths Knightley’s performance and the chillingly beautiful setting are slightly undermined by predictable plotting and shallow character work. Still, for viewers looking for a sleek mystery with a maritime twist, it’s an enjoyable evening’s watch.
The Woman in Cabin 10
⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
1. Is The Woman in Cabin 10 available on Netflix?
Yes, the film is a Netflix original and is currently streaming worldwide. You can watch it directly through your Netflix subscription.
2. Who stars in the movie?
Keira Knightley plays the lead role of Lo Blacklock, the investigative travel journalist. The supporting cast includes an ensemble of actors portraying the yacht’s crew and elite passengers.
3. Is the movie faithful to the book?
The movie follows the main plot of Ruth Ware’s novel but simplifies some psychological elements and side characters. Fans of the book may notice that Lo’s internal struggles are less detailed on screen.
4. What genre is the film?
It is a psychological thriller with mystery and suspense elements. The claustrophobic yacht setting and the “unreliable witness” angle give it a tense, locked-room-mystery vibe.
5. Is it suitable for all audiences?
The movie is rated PG-13/15 (depending on region) for suspense, mild violence, and tense situations. It is best suited for viewers who enjoy thrillers and don’t mind occasional intense scenes.