Even seasoned stars like Keira Knightley can be taken by surprise, as evidenced by her genuine shock at the pivotal body double twist in Netflix’s thriller ‘The Woman in Cabin 10’. This deep dive explores the film’s core mystery, Knightley’s candid reaction, and how the adaptation navigated its literary roots amidst critical debate.
Netflix’s psychological thriller ‘The Woman in Cabin 10’, starring Keira Knightley as investigative journalist Laura “Lo” Blacklock, plunged audiences into a high-stakes mystery aboard a luxury superyacht. The film, based on Ruth Ware’s bestselling 2016 novel, delivered a twist so impactful that it even left its leading lady genuinely stunned.
For fans of the original book and newcomers alike, the journey with Lo Blacklock as she navigates a world of gaslighting and deception is central to the film’s appeal. When Lo witnesses what she believes is a woman being thrown overboard from cabin 10, her frantic search for truth sets the stage for a dramatic unraveling of secrets among the ultra-wealthy passengers.
The Shocking Body Double Reveal
The film’s central mystery revolves around the supposed victim from cabin 10. Lo initially believes the woman she saw thrown overboard was Carrie, a mysterious woman she briefly encountered. However, her investigation uncovers a far darker truth: the actual murder victim was Anne Bullmer, the real yacht owner, and the woman everyone else sees is Carrie, an imposter.
This elaborate scheme was orchestrated by Anne’s husband, Richard Bullmer (played by Guy Pearce), who murdered Anne after she planned to donate her vast fortune and exclude him from her will. Carrie was hired to impersonate Anne, allowing Richard to claim her wealth by amending her will in his favor. The victim Lo witnessed being thrown overboard was, in fact, the original Anne Bullmer, as detailed by USA TODAY. Knightley’s character, Lo, eventually discovers Carrie below deck, leading to the startling realization of the deception.
Keira Knightley’s Unscripted Reaction to the Twist
What makes this twist particularly engaging for fans is knowing that even the lead actress was genuinely surprised by it. Keira Knightley, who had not read Ruth Ware’s novel before receiving the script, expressed her astonishment at the body double plot point.
Knightley recounted her reaction to USA TODAY: “I was like, ‘Gosh, I didn’t see that coming! F—— hell, how are we going to shoot that?’ And how are we going to get away with it? Are they going to have the same actress (play Anne and Carrie), or will they be different actresses?” The filmmakers ultimately cast different actresses for Anne (Lisa Loven Kongsli) and Carrie (Gitte Witt), a decision Knightley found surprisingly effective once both characters had their heads shaved to aid the disguise.
Book vs. Film: The Unreliable Narrator and Critical Reception
The adaptation made significant changes from Ruth Ware’s novel, particularly concerning Lo Blacklock’s backstory and her status as an unreliable narrator. In the book, Lo is a “lowly travel hack” and a self-admitted heavy drinker, dealing with the trauma of a recent home invasion, which naturally casts doubt on her perceptions of events on the yacht. This element, critics argued, was key to the book’s tension.
However, the film transforms Lo into an “award-winning investigative staffer” with a past trauma stemming from witnessing a murder in her journalistic capacity. This change, highlighted by outlets like Yahoo Entertainment, altered the dynamic. Reviewers from publications such as The Independent felt this decision rendered Lo “totally, utterly trustworthy,” making the gaslighting she experiences less plausible and the film “laughably implausible” at times.
Despite these narrative shifts, the film has found its audience on Netflix, delivering a “sturdy mystery-thriller” according to USA TODAY, anchored by Knightley’s performance and the opulent setting of the superyacht.
The Climax and Justice Served
The film’s conclusion brings Lo’s relentless pursuit of truth to a dramatic head. She uncovers a speech written by the real Anne Bullmer, detailing her plans to donate her vast fortune to charity. Lo bravely exposes Richard Bullmer’s murderous scheme at a gala, using Anne’s own words to reveal his financial motive.
In the ensuing struggle, Richard attempts to take Carrie hostage but is ultimately killed by Lo, who bludgeons him with a metal pipe after he is shot by Anne’s head of security. The film concludes with Lo back at her desk, writing a powerful piece that honors Anne’s charitable intent and exposes the full truth, including the sacrifice of her former love interest, Ben, who tragically died protecting her. Richard’s accomplices, including the ship’s doctor and captain, are arrested, while Carrie is reunited with her daughter, bringing a sense of justice to the harrowing ordeal.
‘The Woman in Cabin 10’ continues to be a talking point for its intricate plot, the high-stakes performances, and the memorable twist that even surprised its own star, making it a compelling watch for fans of suspense and mystery.
