Time: 108 Minutes
Age Rating: M – Mature themes, violence, sex scenes and infrequent coarse language
Cast:
Bryce Dallas Howard as Ivy Elizabeth Walker
Joaquin Phoenix as Lucius Hunt
Adrien Brody as Noah Percy
Sigourney Weaver as Alice Hunt
William Hurt as Edward Walker
Brendan Gleeson as August Nicholson
Director: M. Night Shyamalan

The Village was one of the movies from M. Night Shyamalan I was most looking forward to revisiting. While Signs did have some detractors, its The Village where the detractors of Shyamalan really started. I remember when I first watched it and I liked it, but largely just found it to be okay. On rewatch however, I think it’s great.

Part of the negative reaction to the movie had to be how it was marketed. The trailers hinted at a straight up horror film, and while it does fit into the genre, it’s only a horror movie in the way that Signs was an alien invasion movie. It was a mix of genres, it is definitely suspenseful and atmospheric and has a good mystery hanging over the story. However, it is also something of a folk drama and romance, and the love story is fairly prominent in the film. It is also very emotionally charged and somber, and really about tragedy and loss (which Shyamalan has also tackled in different ways in his prior movies). A lot of his movies do have some clunky dialogue, and The Village is no exception, but I think it actually fits in with its setting.

The Village has one of M. Night Shyamalan’s best casts. Bryce Dallas Howard delivers an excellent performance in the lead role, and Joaquin Phoenix is great too. Adrien Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Brendan Gleeson, Judy Greer are also really good in supporting roles.

M. Night Shyamalan does some of his best directing work here. The cinematography from Roger Deakins is beautiful, making great use of natural lighting and darkness. With this being a period piece, the set design and costuming are great. James Newton Howard’s score is typically phenomenal and fits perfectly with the story and tone of the film.

The Village is a beautiful, heartfelt and suspenseful romance folk thriller. Meticulously directed, gorgeously shot and very well performed, it is one of M. Night Shyamalan’s most underrated films.