The Woman in Cabin 10 is not a great movie, but it’s better than most Netflix thrillers.
Verdict: 6.5/10 – flawed but fun, with a strong lead performance and a solid payoff.
Kristen Bell is compelling as Lo, a travel journalist who may or may not have witnessed a murder on a luxury cruise. The first act does a great job setting up the mystery, with Bell’s paranoia and determination making her a sympathetic protagonist. The third act also delivers, with a satisfying payoff that ties up the loose ends and justifies the journey.
The problem? The middle act sags. Instead of building tension, the film repeats the same beats: Lo is dismissed, Lo investigates, Lo is gaslit, rinse and repeat.
The supporting cast is underwritten, and the villain lacks menace, which weakens the thriller’s impact. The claustrophobic setting of the cruise ship is used well, but the pacing feels sluggish, and some of the twists are telegraphed too early.
Still, The Woman in Cabin 10 is watchable. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s better than the usual streaming fare. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers or Agatha Christie-style mysteries, you’ll find enough to enjoy, especially in the first and third acts.
Just be prepared to fast-forward through the middle.
