A few months back, it was reported that actors Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge would be starring in Knock At The Cabin, the latest from horror auteur M. Night Shyamalan, a.k.a. the king of the twist ending.
As is typically the case for Shyamalan’s projects, an air of mystery surrounded Knock At The Cabin, with little known about the feature (again, the man loves to surprise us!) beyond its title and cast—which also features Guardians Of The Galaxy‘s Dave Bautista, Harry Potter‘s Rupert Grint, and Old‘s Nikki Amuka-Bird.
But, over the weekend, it was revealed that the film will be an adaptation of horror novel The Cabin At The End Of The World from author Paul Tremblay, which—in a twist no one saw coming—tells us an awful lot about the Shyamalan project, including the fact that stars Groff and Aldridge will actually be playing a gay couple!
Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge will star as a couple in M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming horror film, ‘Knock at the Cabin,’ in theaters on February 3, 2023. pic.twitter.com/b4PVLQFQUX
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) July 18, 2022
In the novel, their characters Andrew and Eric (no word on who’s playing who) are long-terms partners who decide to bring their adopted daughter Wen on a New England getaway in a secluded cabin. Now, if you’ve seen any horror movie ever, you know nothing good ever happens at a secluded cabin…
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Not long into their stay, they’re visited by a group of strangers who invade the cabin and tell the family that, in order to prevent an upcoming apocalypse, one of them must be killed by the others. Okay, woof—we’re already stressed out.
Related: ‘Freddy’s Revenge’, and 10 other screamingly sexy queer Halloween horror films
For the curious, you’re welcome to check out Tremblay’s novel to find out where the story goes. Although, be warned: We can’t imagine Shyamalan won’t mess with the formula, just to pull the rug out from under us all over again.
What we do know—and what has us here at Queerty most excited—is that Knock At The Cabin has itself a pair of hunk, gay leads! We have to imagine you’re familiar with Groff’s work to date, but Aldridge is a newer name who’s been building quite a career for himself in recent years.
To get you up to speed on the star, we’ve assembled some Instagram photos to show why you, too, will want to go knocking on this cabin door:
View this post on Instagram
The English actor grew up in the theater, graduating from the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Though many of his earliest screen roles haven’t found much of an audience across the pond, he had a memorable turn as “Arsehole Guy” in Phoebe Waller Bridge’s Emmy hit Fleabag and currently co-leads Pennyworth the DC Comics prequel series about Batman’s trusted butler, Alfred. Raised an evangelical Christian, Aldridge made headlines when he came out in 2020, eventually clarifying to Attitude that he is, indeed, gay. Between Knock At The Cabin and this year’s biographical drama Spoiler Alert, Aldridge is about to have a major breakout.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Diplomat
Two stinking hot white boys. Let the games begin.
RoosterRock
That book is some Eli Roth-level backwoods torture porn, with the nice twist of a gay-bashing backstory. And zero chance Shyamalan will keep that ending. Curious to see how he adapts it.
Man About Town
Ben Aldridge looks a lot like Mark Ruffalo!
Huron132
Ben is one dreamy man. Can’t wait to see more from him. Can’t wait to see Cabin too. Just to add always been a huge fan of Jonathan for years. Honestly I would love to see both take off as movie stars!
Ken A.
M. Night Shyamalan will mess it up. With the exception of the 6th Sense and Split and maybe Unbreakable, his movies lack. I mean OLD was a sleeper by the time it got the ending I was like what now?
Ken A.
At least he hired 2 gay actors Groff we all know and the one Queerty is thirsting for, Ben Aldridge, since they’ve posted multiple IG posts of his. Is also gay. He also plays a gay detective with a husband on a show in England/UK called the Long Call.
bachy
Years ago, I recall a female friend complaining to me about how many horror films featured female victims. She said it made it difficult for her to watch, and I blew off her concerns saying, “Oh, come on– it’s just a movie!”
But with the increase in gay characters and gay themes in film, I’ve come to realize that horror films with gay victims are VERY difficult for me to watch. There was one a few years ago about an Australian serial killer murdering gay men (based on a true story). I couldn’t stomach more than 20 minutes before I had to turn off the TV, lock all my doors and turn on all the lights.
monty clift
I think it’s a lowbar way of appealing to homophobes without directly being homophobic. Like Stephen Kings IT when the gay couple are violently murdered, I heard people cheered for that scene in the cinema because the couple were gay. Everyone comment on that scene is filled with homophobes getting off on it, and a few clueless gays saying “it’s just a movie.”
bachy
@monty: You do have a point. Similarly, it can also be argued that the massive over-emphasis on female victims in horror is an “acceptable” expression of misogyny.
The emphasis on teenagers being murdered during sex can be viewed as a window onto unconscious fear, rage and contempt regarding sex.
Horror is a fascinating art form because it reveals the shadow.
DK
Nice to see Hollywood finally acknowledging gay people exist. Would be nice if 99% of said gays weren’t white guys who look the same, but maybe they’ll toss in the token fat or sassy black gay friend.
Meanwhile, gay Asians will have to continue writing their own projects altogether lol
MystiRivers
Not everything has to be for or about you. lol.
JTinToronto
He was great as arsehole guy.
GayEGO
It sounds like a great movie! I will have to see it when it arrives!
Almando
This is what we want! I’m so glad! Brandon Flynn and Nik Dodani are also playing a Gay Couple in the HNO Max Horror-Comedy film The Parenting. Along with Fire Island and Universal’s Upcoming Film, Bros (Both with an Enitre LGBTQ+ Cast). Out Gay Actors are finally getting the opportunity to play Gay Characters in all these Major Films! I wonder why it’s taken so long for these Projects? I wish we were also getting Out Gay Actors as the Leads in Red, White & Royal Blue.
ChrisGMN
Shyamalan sucks.
hwgusn
Filmed not far from here.