John Leguizamo, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Bailey Jr.

A paranoid thriller about a family on the run from a natural crisis that presents a large-scale threat to humanity.

Flixster Users

29% liked it

339,622 ratings

Critics

18% liked it

169 critics

R, 1 hr. 31 min.

Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan

Release Date: June 11, 2008

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DVD Release Date: October 7, 2008

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Stats: 31,942 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (31,942)


  • September 30, 2009
    It seemed that I have underestimated Mr. Wahlberg's acting chops. What a brilliant performance! It occurred to me while I was watching the deleted scenes (especially the couples 'fight' in the beginning) that if Shyamalan made a romance-relationship film (maybe in a mumblecore st...( read more)yle) with Mr. Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel it would be the greatest film ever. I mean, those private, intimate moments between them were easily the most heart breaking parts of the film. The horror elements were fine and all for creating an effective context for those moments, but it could have been so much more. Nothing moves me more than love conquering all... yes, even suicide-inducing allergies.
  • August 15, 2009
    I'm not convinced that M. Night Shamwow is any better at making movies than he was befor. The acting is even less convincing in this one than any other. With how the main charaters were reacting to the events in the movie, I really didn't feel they were in danger. Concerned looks...( read more) on faces do not make an movie beliveable.
  • May 5, 2009
    This is an interesting film actually, the story is pretty flimsy but its very factual and it could even happen, not to the extend in the film but its possible, as the facts are true.
    Its not very scary or meant to be scary but it is quite spooky and eerie, it does come across pr...( read more)etty well with the atmosphere. People are killing themselves in a zombie like fashion and in all manner of sick ways (the zoo killing being a good one) and it is alittle unnerving to see that.as the story starts to build and you understand what may be happening you do feel a slight chill down your spine, you wonder how you could ever escape from it, it seems impossible and you'd be doomed. The film does convey that chilly disaster feeling very well, but as it goes on it does lack abit of bite.

    The cast are ok, abit wet really, Wahlberg just seems to soft and unfazed by it all haha none one is anything special frankly. There arent too many effects so I cant really comment there. Its an ok film with a cool idea but its lacking something.
    The ending is abit strange too, didnt quite follow, Im guessing the problem starts up in another country?? but a different type or different effect on people, I dunno.
    Not bad.
  • May 3, 2009
    Interesting premise destroyed by awful acting and confused internal logic. Wahlberg and Deeschanel are so unbelievable in their roles I kept hoping the twist would be they were actually aliens ! The plant toxin idea is not beyond plausibility but quite how the wind is harnessed i...( read more)s another matter. Shyamalan is in serious danger of alienating his fanbase if the turkeys continue.
  • April 17, 2009
    An excellent cast, a director who was once considered a master storyteller....who could have guessed that The Happening would have been such a disappointment? I know that Shyamalan was written off by many after The Village (which I loved) and Lady in the Water (which I thought w...( read more)as his worst movie, but still watchable because of Bryce Dallas Howard). I held out hope that he could return to form and give his still loyal fans a reason for their continued devotion. Sadly, that reason is not here. Wahlberg is totally unbelievable in his role (and wtf is up with that horrible accent?), while the normally captivating Deschanel is given the task of playing a fairly unlikeable, mishmash of a woman. And I never thought I would say this, but she comes off wooden and stiff. Those gorgeous blue eyes were simply not enough to make her character seem like an authentic person.

    The only bright spots in the entire movie were the fairly chilling suicides. I get that the whole premise of The Happening is that this event is occurring that the characters really don't understand, something that is supposedly outside the reach of the scientific method that Wahlberg's character crams down our throat from time to time. I do think that a good movie could have been made from this idea, but sadly, this is not it. There were numerous other flaws with this one as well, but I honestly don't have time to cover them all. Better luck next time, Shymalan (and be grateful that I'm willing to see the next project, whatever it may be).
  • November 12, 2009
    that is not Jayson born man...
  • November 6, 2009
    Tutto ciò che ho da dire è: perché?
    Shyamalan smettila pure di fare il regista, non mi puoi passare da The village o Lady in the water a 'ste schifezze.
  • November 4, 2009
    OHH NOO! the grass... IT`S EVERYWHEREEE
  • November 3, 2009
    Aqui le pusieron.. El Fin de los Tiempos... Debieron ponerle.. la Rebelion de las Plantitas...
    Buuuu... sintieron mello? ha de ser por chafa!
  • November 1, 2009
    we can't fight against the mystic of nature, even how great u r...

Critic Reviews


June 23, 2008
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker

The Happening is an awful letdown, yet it leaves you with something new, as a gently waving tree -- that classical image of pastoral tranquillity -- mutates into a harbinger of doom. full review

June 18, 2008
Armond White, The New York Press

A better title for M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening would be Nonsense. It's like an amusement park ride that has no reason for being -- and no meaning -- besides visceral excitation. Only difference... full review

June 16, 2008
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

All that's missing is the head alien of Plan 9 From Outer Space dropping by to lecture the populace for disrespecting nature: 'Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!' full review

June 13, 2008
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

Woeful clunker of a paranoid thriller. full review

June 13, 2008
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Shyamalan tries to give the events a scientific underpinning. But his logic is spotty, so what are meant to be eerie moments are not convincing. full review

June 13, 2008
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

It's an entertaining movie, which is half the game, but it's not scary, which it should be. Neither is it something to be taken seriously, though it's intended to be. full review

June 13, 2008
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

The attention paid to [Wahlberg and Deschanel's] piddling relationship woes vs. the entire fate of humanity is absurd. We never feel persuaded that they have a bond, much less invested in seeing them ... full review

June 13, 2008
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Shyamalan's approach is more effective than smash-and-grab plot-mongering. His use of the landscape is disturbingly effective. The performances by Wahlberg and Deschanel bring a quiet dignity to their... full review

June 13, 2008
Kurt Loder, MTV

...bad in more than just an everyday, sure-does-suck kind of way. full review

June 13, 2008
Bob Mondello, NPR

If what audiences are looking for is a thrill ride, or even a pervasive eeriness, The Happening's just not happening. full review

View more The Happening reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • PatienceSmatience
    February 9, 2009
    If I judge this movie strictly by the trailer, and as someone who hasn't had the "pleasure" of seeing it, I'd have to say that the movie looks VERY interesting and THAT it'll definitely be great.

    Unfortunately, I have ACTUALLY watched this movie...Now, the only thing I have to, or CAN, say is that "the trailer is EXTREMELY deceiving."...An itriguing trailer doesn't justify a bullshit movie...I love our planet very much, but this movie doesn't make me want to save the Earth or "appreciate" it more. If anything, I now want to destroy the Earth, simply because it is inhabited by people who may actually like this "movie."
  • riseandfall2000
    November 17, 2008
    well my opinion about this movie it was really good but there should be other end and good solution for that problem :) i loved the end thought and they should keep away the kids from death next time and i think theres other part of this , the most horror movie was the ring and its still on the top of my fav :)
    have fun all
  • raechello
    October 29, 2008
    I CAN'T WAIT TO BUY THE DVD!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
  • perfectgentlemn
    October 25, 2008
    Creepy concept, ok movie, but confusing... This musta been a book before it was a movie. There are better movies to waste 90 mins on... ;-) Enjoy.
  • lahlahlahlaa
    October 10, 2008
    I don't care if you think it was crap or not.

    I'm not messing with plants anymore. They might make me run myself over with a brush hog.
  • lahlahlahlaa
    October 10, 2008
    I don't care if any of you think it was crap or not.

    I'm not messing with plants anymore. They might make me run myself over with a brush hog.
  • Aritosgold
    October 8, 2008
    This movie reminds me of 28-Days Later
  • hhb08
    September 24, 2008
    It was ok in the beginning but I didn't like the end

    and that something >>>>>>

    What is it?????

    I don't recommend anyone to see it



  • ahmadkhleel
    September 5, 2008
    relly not so good!!
  • rbevanx
    September 4, 2008
    What a terrible film. I have never been so bored watching a film. AVOID THIS FILM

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Happening Trivia


  • Which Pink Floyd album is rumored to describe the things happening on screen if you play it along with The Wizard of Oz?  Answer »
  • In Messenger, the super natural things that were happening...  Answer »
  • What event in Pulp Fiction always foreshadows something bad happening?  Answer »
  • The "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" line "It's my happening and it freaks me out!" was originally heard in which movie?  Answer »

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