The Happening

Beginning on what seems like a normal, beautiful day in New York City, an invisible disaster suddenly strikes Central Park. Its residents begin speaking differently, mumbling and repeating themselves as if in some sort of stupor. If walking, they stop, only to begin slowly walking backwards. Finally, they do anything, by any means necessary, to end their life.

Released in July of 2008 by Blinding Edge Pictures, the film was written and directed by none other than the master of suspenseful and usually horrifying twists, M. Night Shyamalan. Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel play main characters Elliot and Alma Moore, a married couple struggling with various issues.

When Elliot, a science teacher, is first introduced in the film, he is discussing with his class the mysterious disappearance of one species of bees. A student suggests there are some naturally occurring events that the world will never understand.

The unprecedented plague, which at this point is believed to be a terrorist attack, has only contaminated northeast U.S. Like many others, Elliot, Alma and young Jess, the daughter of friends who got separated from one another, set out westward in an attempt to flee the intoxicated air. Unfortunately, they aren't fast enough.

"The Happening" is the definition of a perfectly constructed suspenseful horror film. Throughout the film the viewer gains insight through other characters that Elliot and Alma meet about who, or what, is really responsible for these unseen attacks. The film is fiercely scary, pushing the boundary and crossing the line of the types of suicides the movie industry previously has shown.

This movie sets a new standard of surprisingly believable violence and gore. I recommend seeing it somewhere you are staying for the night. You are not going to want to step outside.