In a way, M. Night Shyamalan’s most obnoxious thriller is actually great
Author: Robert Skuch Published
In 2008, M. Night Shyamalan wrote, directed, and produced what many consider to be the worst movie of his career. what’s happeningThe film currently has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 17% and an audience score of 24%, with the consensus saying that it “started promising, but unfortunately, it turned into an incoherent and unconvincing affair.” However, most viewers didn’t know at the time that this was entirely intentional.
Shyamalan wanted to make a big-budget B-movie that would harken back to 1960s scare films, such as those of Alfred Hitchcock, in a humorous way The birds. He hinted at it even before its release, calling it a “wonderful, fun B-movie” during a press conference.
Some filmmakers like to back off when their work doesn’t pan out. In this case, after a proper rewatch, there is no other explanation other than that he did exactly what he planned what happened.
Intentionally scary in the best way
The biggest giveaway is what’s happening The reason it was intentionally made into a B-movie was because of the talent. Say what you want about Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel; when they stay in their lane, they’re capable actors. have a look 500 days of summer and The Departed Walker And told me they didn’t quite deliver on what those movies were asking for. They do exactly what they’re told here, too, and their deliberately wooden performances are part of the mission.
Wahlberg bluntly said, “Plastic. I’m talking to plastic factories. I’m still doing it,” while spouting as much pseudoscience about toxins “that people set plants on fire” as part of the joke. The talent here lies not just in the writing, but in Wahlberg’s ability to keep a straight face as Elliot Moore earnestly tries to figure out why everyone around him is killing themselves.
So does Zooey Deschanel, who brilliantly exclaims “We can’t just stand here as disengaged observers!” “We’re not going to be one of those assholes who sees a crime happening on the news and doesn’t take action! We’re not assholes!” It’s so bad that it’s almost poetic, and Shyamalan clearly knew what he was doing when he wrote the script. We’re talking about a plant-borne pathogen carried by the wind that forces people to end their lives in the most gruesome ways. In most cases, the response from those involved was: “Oh no!”
Victims of your own marketing deserve worship
I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t see it what’s happening Until a few years after it hit theaters. The main reason is that my friends and family are looking forward to another sixth sense, unbreakable, logoor villageand told me that it would be too bad if those expectations were not met. Marketing for what’s happening It sells like a thriller and I can only imagine the audience’s confusion when buying tickets. Everyone told me the same thing: the story made no sense, the acting was terrible, and it fell apart by the third act.
Years later, curiosity got the better of me and I finally sat down. I like it. But I also grew up digging through the two-dollar DVD bins at Walmart and watching B-movies all the time. watch what’s happening It feels like watching Sharknado or Avian epidemics: shock and horror.
The biggest takeaway for me was the framing of the story. With primarily news bumpers explaining what’s happening in affected communities, it’s only a matter of time before this setup becomes ridiculous. There’s even a scene where Elliot, desperate for answers his mood ring can’t provide, conveniently finds a radio strapped to a fence post in the middle of nowhere so he can get an update before going back to perfunctory scientific exploration of the house.
‘The Happening’ is a brilliant big-budget B-movie
Celebrate Now Review Review what’s happening for its big-budget B-movie appeal. But it’s easy to see why it’s criticized. With a budget of $60 million, it looks like a perfect B-movie. The cinematography and sound design are so clean and polished. If it was marketed as a straight-up scare movie with creepy fonts, bright colors and a gritty aesthetic, audiences would know what they were in for. Instead, the marketing team got right to the point, and the disruption went unnoticed by mainstream audiences.
if you are willing to pay what’s happening Given a second chance, watch it with more than imaginable B-movie expectations and you’ll have a great time. On the face of it, this is a terrible movie. But once you consider Shyamalan’s intentions and Wahlberg and Deschanel’s commitment to it, it becomes more interesting.
As of this writing, you can stream what’s happening On the gourd.
