Rotten
[A]n astonishment, so idiotic in conception and inept in execution that, after seeing it, one almost wonders whether it was real or imagined.
Christopher Orr, The New Republic
The Happening
We've sensed it. We've seen the signs. Now...it's happening.
2008 · 1h 30m · R
Science Fiction, Thriller
Directed by
M. Night Shyamalan
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The Happening
Overview
When a deadly airborne virus threatens to wipe out the northeastern United States, teacher Elliot Moore and his wife Alma flee from contaminated cities into the countryside in a fight to discover the truth. Is it terrorism, the accidental release of some toxic military bio weapon -- or something even more sinister?
Director and cast
- M. Night Shyamalan Director
- Mark Wahlberg as Elliot Moore
- Zooey Deschanel as Alma Moore
- John Leguizamo as Julian
- Ashlyn Sanchez as Jess
- Betty Buckley as Mrs. Jones
- Spencer Breslin as Josh
- Robert Bailey Jr. as Jared
- Frank Collison as Nursery Owner
- Jeremy Strong as Private Auster
- Alan Ruck as Principal
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
18%
Tomatometer
Rotten
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.
Anthony Lane, New Yorker
Rotten
For a movie with the potential for so much global-warming electricity, it's disappointingly low on voltage.
Rex Reed, New York Observer
Fresh
It almost dares you to roll your eyes or laugh at certain scenes that are supposed to be deadly serious. But, you know what, I appreciated this creatively offbeat, daring sci-fi mind-trip.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Rotten
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!'
David Edelstein, New York Magazine/Vulture
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