The Happening
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?
Critics Sentiment
Mass suicides begin in New York's Central Park
Julian finds Princeton affected and commits suicide with glass
The film opens with a praised and stunning Central Park sequence but quickly deteriorates as Wahlberg's miscasting and poor dialogue become apparent.
The Happening starts strong with an effectively disturbing opening sequence that reviewers found captivating and well-executed. However, the film rapidly declines due to terrible acting from Wahlberg and Deschanel, laughably bad dialogue, and a script that critics described as childish and poorly developed. While some found the plant-based premise interesting and a few later scenes emotionally effective, most reviewers felt it was a major disappointment from Shyamalan.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 70
Mark Wahlberg
Elliot Moore
Zooey Deschanel
Alma Moore
John Leguizamo
Julian
Ashlyn Sanchez
Jess
Betty Buckley
Mrs. Jones
Spencer Breslin
Josh
Robert Bailey Jr.
Jared
Frank Collison
Nursery Owner
Jeremy Strong
Private Auster
Alan Ruck
Principal
Victoria Clark
Nursery Owner's Wife
M. Night Shyamalan
Joey (voice)
Alison Folland
Woman Reading on Bench with Hair Pin
Kristen Connolly
Woman Reading on Bench
Cornell Womack
Construction Foreman
Curtis McClarin
Construction Crew Member
Robert Lenzi
Jake
Derege Harding
Train Conductor
Roberto Lombardi
Father in Elliot's Group
Kerry O'Malley
Woman on Cell Phone
Crew
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