Movie Review: The Woman in Cabin 10 (2025)

Synopsis: Needing a break after one of her sources was murdered in front of her, investigative reporter Laura Blacklock accepts an invitation to join a cancer-stricken billionaire onboard a superyacht sailing to Norway as part of a one-of-a-kind cancer research fundraiser. Laura believes the trip, which includes many other wealthy elites, will allow her to restore her faith in humanity by writing a soft feel-good story. However, on the first night of the cruise, she witnesses the woman in the cabin next to hers go overboard, only to be told she was mistaken and there was nobody in Cabin 10. Then, when Laura digs further and finds evidence she didn't imagine the event, she finds her own life in danger.

Who's in it? The movie stars Keira Knightley, Guy Pearce, David Ajala, Lisa Loven Kongsli and Gitte Witt.

Review: I've had The Woman in Cabin 10 saved to my movie library for several months because, from the description, it sounded like it would be an intriguing mystery and thriller. My wife and I finally got around to watching it yesterday evening and as it turned out, it was one of those things.

On the surface, the movie's premise does seem a bit cliché. The idea of someone witnessing something horrific then being gaslit into believing they imagined the whole thing has been done dozens of times, so it was far from an original concept.

I was also admittedly a little disappointed by the mystery surrounding the woman Laura (Knightley) saw drown because it proved to be somewhat weak. In fact, we were watching this movie while eating dinner and I figured out who drowned and why by the time we paused it to get seconds. And this was before the movie started to give some not-so-subtle clues.

All that said, I did still enjoy the movie because, while the mystery fell a bit flat, it did prove to be a decent thriller. For one, it was clear Laura couldn't trust anyone onboard the ship, either because they were in on the plot or because they thought she was crazy. This included the one person who should have been her ally, Ben (Ajala), but who put her life in danger by telling others about the clues she discovered. 

The fact this took place on a yacht also added to the suspense because it wasn't as though she could escape without diving into freezing-cold water and she had limited places where she could hide. Frankly, I'm a little surprised she was able to stay undetected for as long as she did, considering her hiding spot looked like a place that would be visited at some point.

The film's ending also proved to be entertaining, though maybe a little forced, as Laura both fought to escape those who were trying to kill her and stop the bad guy's plan. At minimum, it had a few unexpected twists that kept it from being boring.

Final Opinion: I was disappointed about the mystery part of this mystery/thriller, but the overall movie still proved to be a fun film to watch so I'd still recommend it.

My Grade: B+

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Here are some reviews of other movies that take place on a ship:

Movie Review: Death Ship (1980)

Movie Review: The Ghost Ship (1943)

Movie Review: Murder Ahoy (1964)

Movie Review: Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)