The HappeningSynopsis and Overview

Poster art for "The Happening."

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  • The Happening
  • Opened June 13, 2008 | Runtime:1 hr. 31 min.
  • R
    violent and disturbing images
  • Information for parents: Common Sense Media says Iffy for 16+. Read More
  • It begins with no clear warning. In a matter of minutes, episodes of strange, chilling deaths erupt in major American cities. For Philadelphia high school science teacher Elliot Moore (Mark Wahlberg) what matters most is finding a way to escape the Read More
  • Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo, Ashlyn Sanchez, Betty Buckley
  • Director: M. Night Shyamalan
  • Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Thriller

The Happening Movie Photos & Trailers + Clips

  • Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel in "The Happening."
  • On the run from a widening crisis, Elliot (Mark Wahlberg), Alma (Zooey Deschanel) and Jess (Ashlyn Sanchez) check out an abandoned home in "The Happening."
  • Director M. Night Shyamalan on the set of "The Happening."
  • A scene from "The Happening."
  • Director M. Night Shyamalan, Mark Wahlberg and John Leguizamo on the set of "The Happening."
  • A scene from "The Happening."
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The Happening Featured Trailers + Video Clips

The Happening Recent Fan Reviews

  • No

    WHAT HAPPENED???????

    by MOVIES REVIEWER

    I just saw the press screening for this movie by M. Night Shyamalan (writer/producer/director).

    The Happening is a NON-event - which is mercifully 90 minutes short.
    It is a lackluster film that seems STUNTED and half-hearted in premise and delivery - and could not blossom beyond the weak script/story - it feels like a dish half-cooked or a meal that smells promising but leaves your palate unsatisfied hungry for something else.

    This movie has a totally different feel from M. Night's previous efforts - it has no surprise endings/revelations, and is more gory..... and missing the director's Hitchcock-inspired cameo.

    The saving grace is that the movie was competently acted by Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, Ashlyn Sanchez (... um, and over-acted by John Leguizamo).

    If you go to see it with high expectations, you will be disappointed.

    Recommendation: If you are a M. Night Shyamalan fan - go see it. Otherwise, just wait for the DVD.

    Grade: C

  • Oh No!

    Worst Movie Ever

    by Sprizzle

    All I can say is that I was embarrassed for the actors on screen, who were completely miscast IMO, and that this movie is the reason why one person should rarely be writer, director, and producer. Worst dialog, carelessly established relationships, and a scenario that wasn't terrifying at all. I went to see it with a friend and we both wondered about 20 minutes into the movie if it was a joke and we were all on hidden camera.

    SAVE YOUR MONEY!!

  • Must Go!

    A review from someone who understood the movie.

    by travisbarker182

    Alright I am here to give my side of the story. THIS IS A SPOILER SO ONLY READ IF YOU HAVE NOT, HAVE NOT, SEEN THE MOVIE
    Alright well this movie is about how horrible the human race is and how we are killing the planet. The acting was awful...on purpose! This is a satire on the human race. Thats how it is. All of these actors have showing that they are capable of executing terrific performances. The trouble between walberg's character and his wife was petty...because that is how we really are! We blow things out of proportion. This movie is flipping everything. We are killing the earth. Well what if it was turned? The planet has had enough so it starts killing us because of all the negative energy. At the end when the main characters are not killed it is because they forgave each other and changed. They put off positive energy. There is symbolism all over this movie. You cannot judge this at face value. This is how i interpreted it. This movie was executed perfectly.Howelsecoulditend?

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The Happening Critic Reviews

No Avg. Critic Score out of 100 Metascore ® based on all critic ratings.

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 75
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    A movie that I find oddly touching. It is no doubt too thoughtful for the...

  • 60
    The New York Times | Manohla Dargis

    A divertingly goofy thriller with an animistic bent, moments of shivery and...

  • 50
    The Hollywood Reporter | Kirk Honeycutt

    The movie seems more like a '50s science fiction film of extreme paranoia or an...

  • 50
    San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle

    It's an entertaining movie, which is half the game, but it's not scary, which...

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