In most of M. Night’s films, you always expect for the “surprise” to kick in at the end. Whether it’s the Sixth Sense or Signs, his films have a way of teasing you until the very end, where usually you are left with an expression of “Holy Shit!” I know his last film Lady in the Water has gotten some horrid reviews. I still haven’t watched it, so I can’t judge. But if it was as bad as I heard it was, then he needs to work hard to redeem himself. So I guess you can say The Happening is his chance for redemption. When a mysterious phenomenon strikes the Northeast U.S., apocalyptic paranoia spreads like wildfire. This invisible “attack” hits NYC, then Philadelphia, causing mass suicide in both cities. By the time it hits Philly, high school science teacher Elliot Moore (Mark Wahlberg) and his wife have fled the city, just in time to spare their lives. However, no matter where they run to, the invisible attack follows them. Theories abound as to what is causing it. But you are given no definite answers as to what it really is. You’re given a few options to come to your own conclusion, but that’s as far as the film goes. Some people may be pissed that the film ended the way it did. I didn’t mind it for the same reason I didn’t have a problem with Cloverfield. I’m ok with a film that ends that way because it makes you stretch your mind to form your own conclusion. It may drive you nuts, but it does get you thinking. Overall, it’s a suspenseful film that has its fair share of chilling scenes. One chilling part that stood out to me is when they arrived at the old woman’s home towards the end of the film. Her character was just as disturbing and mysterious as the unexplained phenomenon. If you expect the typical Hollywood film where everything gets wrapped up nice and tidy at the end, then you might be a little bothered. But if you watch The Happening with an open mind, I don’t think you’ll get let down.
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