Abby Quinn talks all things “Knock at the Cabin” and her upcoming projects. (Exclusive)

Photo credit: Universal Pictures / PhoByMo

Written by: Gracie Lowes

M. Night Shyamalan fans rejoice! The popular director is back with a new mystery/horror film called “Knock at the Cabin.”

The film follows “a family who go on a vacation to a remote cabin in the woods, during their stay they are taken hostage by four armed strangers who demand they make an unthinkable choice to avert the apocalypse. Confused, scared and with limited access to the outside world, the family must decide what they believe before all is lost.”

I had the chance to sit down (virtually) with actress Abby Quinn who plays “Adrianne” in the film, to talk to her about her time on set, what drew her to the character, her favorite horror movies, and more.

You can find out more about Abby on her Instagram and you can read the full interview below.

Gracie Lowes: By the time this interview is out “Knock at the Cabin” will be out so congratulations! How has this release and the days building up to the release been for you?

Abby Quinn: “Since the premiere last week, I find myself getting really emotional looking back on this entire experience. Although the days were oftentimes very intense and emotionally draining, it was also a chapter of immense joy and connection and love. It feels as though the premiere marked the end of this experience in many ways, but also the beginning because it means that it is now out in the world for more people to see. I find myself thinking of the incredible times we shared together as a cast, the mornings spent in the park near our hotel in Philly, and the car rides back home together after long days. I guess that was a long winded way of saying that I loved this experience and this group of people so much, and I am so excited that people finally get to see this film.”

Gracie: Could you tell us a little bit about your character “Adrianne” and what it was like bringing her to life?

Abby: “Adrianne is a bit of a mixed-bag— I think in many ways she embodies strength and speaks with a lot of conviction, and yet the next second she can be a ball of nerves and rather flighty and fidgety. It’s not mentioned in the script, but I imagine she listens to a lot of Liz Phair… and maybe some Buffalo Springfield. I think bringing Adrianne to life pushed me to embrace vulnerability in my own life in many ways. She also has a lot of piercings so it fun to walk around feeling a bit edgier for a couple of weeks.”

Gracie: In the trailer Adrianne is one of four people in the group hoping to stop the apocalypse, if you had to choose three people to be in an apocalypse who would they be and why?

Abby: “I think I would have to choose my three siblings and also my Mom. I know the question said three, but I’m hoping you’ll let it slide! I think we all have different skill sets which would come in handy, and we also all appreciate one another’s taste in music. So if we have the ability to play music during the apocalypse we would have a pretty cohesive playlist to get us through…”

Gracie: The story in this movie is so captivating, I’m wondering what drew you to want to be a part of this project, was it the script, your character, or fellow actors on set, etc?

Abby: “Right off the bat, I was drawn in because of Night. I have loved his films for many years and have dreamt of working with him for a long time. I think I was pretty hooked as soon as I read the character description of Adrianne as well as the sides for the audition. I didn’t have access to the full script prior to the initial audition but just based off of the sides alone, I could feel the intensity and heartbeat of the film and it made me all the more excited at the prospect of being a part of it.”

Gracie: If you could describe this film in three words what would they be and why?

Abby: “Grasshoppers, Terror, Pancakes.”

Photo credit: UNIVERSAL PICTURES / PHOBYMO

Gracie: M. Night Shyamalan is a huge name in the entertainment industry, what was it like for you being able to join his cinematic universe? And what’s your favorite movie of his?

Abby: “It has truly been a dream come true to get to know Night and to join his cinematic universe. That sentence feels so crazy to say and still very surreal. My favorite movie of Night’s at the moment is The Village… However, it’s always a toss-up between ‘The Village and Signs’. The cast of The Village is just unreal to me— Cherry Jones, Judy Greer, Adrien Brody!? Just to name a few of the actors… it is such an incredible ensemble, and it is directed so beautifully.”

Gracie: This film is full of suspense and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Do you personally have either a favorite scene or moment/ memory from filming?

Abby: “After getting a chance to watch the film in its entirety, I think my favorite scene is between Eric and Andrew. It’s one of the flashback scenes when Andrew’s parents come to visit. It’s so heartbreaking. The shot of Andrew standing in the doorway looking back and forth between Eric, and his parent’s leaving, makes me cry instantly. I think it’s a scene that stands out to me because it feels so intimate and shattering and yet safe because their love and care for one another is palpable.”

Gracie: Do you have any future projects you could hint at or talk about?

Abby: “I filmed a movie called ‘Hell Of A Summer’ a few months after filming ‘Knock At The Cabin’. It’s directed by Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, who are two of the kindest and most brilliant people I’ve ever met, and I am so excited for people to get to see it!”