Was THE VILLAGE Actually "Misunderstood"?

[@RyanHollinger]

*Got a request? Let me know in the comments!* Head to thld.co/geologie_ryan70_0123 and use code RYAN70 and take their free skincare diagnostic to get 70% off skincare trial set. On top of that, they are giving you an exclusive bonus offer on one of their brand-new skin, hair, and body products, of your choice when you add it to your trial.

[@iusedtowrite6667]

Requesting Tumbbad as usual 😌

[@axelcordova8262]

Night in the Woods and Pink Floyd's The Wall.

[@solemnlament9757]

I'd love to see your take on What We Do In The Shadows (Movie/Series) or Young Frankenstein. Thanks for another great vid!

[@boobootittleman7299]

I’d love to see a video on Doctor Sleep & Midnight Mass some day!

[@DJtheBlack-RibbonedRose]

As Above, So Below (2014) Mr. Jones (2013) Underworld series (2003-2017) Soulmate (2013) Spike (2008) Frankenstein (2015) directed by Bernard Rose

[@daversaluc]

I always forget how much of a stacked cast this movie has, Adrian Brody, Joaquin Phoenix, Dallas Howard, Eisenberg etc. It’s kinda nuts to see all these actors & actresses on screen together.

[@sanna9062]

And let's not forget Sigourney Weaver

[@lrts1lrts181]

William Hurt

[@Merinkous]

​@@sanna9062 I didn't notice that the 1st time

[@sammygirl6910]

Brendan Gleason

[@bleakautomaton4808]

My friends and I got hung up on how this kind of community would be messed up by 'genetic bottleneck' so to speak.

[@VanillaEnigma]

I personally like it, especially the romance between Ivy and Lucius. That climactic scene of him grabbing her hand just as the monster was approaching, along with the cinematography and score was one of the most beautiful cinematic scenes I've seen.

[@calowenby1654]

Is your name a Utopia reference? I love that show!

[@dylanmonstrum1538]

@@calowenby1654 Isn't that the pedo show? Oh wait, that's euphoria, my bad.

[@steelpatriot3683]

Agree....that is a gorgeous scene. The score for that scene by James Newton Howard combined with Deakins cinematography are just sublime. That's 30 seconds of perfect cinema gold....those moments that just stick with you long after the credits roll.

[@jasonm.ashley261]

This scene and Howard's score are pure magic. This movie is beautiful to see and hear, and that alone makes it worth watching.

[@theviper1999uk]

I agree

[@voodude8986]

I went into the village not knowing anything, not even thinking it was a horror film and I gotta say it blew me away, I feel it spoke volumes about people’s willingness to accept the reality that is presented to them and their fear of the unknown

[@ryucartel351]

I agree, I found it to be an exposè in allegory of our reality. All the people in the village who have no idea? That's all of us. Very few figure out the secret.

[@justacrittic1578]

I usually show this movie with no explanation (or just as a period drama/american gothic) and it usually hits. At the end I show the trailer to sorta show why it gets so much hate. It's not a masterful movie, but it's good, it's been hated for too long. I had one girl clap and reveal it "just gothic scooby doo" at the end though, but I chose to take that as compliment. She had a good time with that.

[@PureMagic101]

We watched it in my intro to soc class for that similar reason It was so we could focus on social norms and the concept of what makes them such

[@michaelshanewilcher634]

Ditto

[@Gonken88]

It's about 911 and the war on terror.

[@fueledbymaple]

Fun Fact: My friend's niece was cast as an extra in this film. She appeared in group scenes such as when they're all eating, but the one scene that really interests me, one which she had a legit role to do, was what I'm calling "the turkey scene". They needed an extra who was able to chase a turkey and then catch it. Her niece was the only extra able to do it. Despite taking a few take to film, scene ended up being cut. I am dying to know if it still exists, cuz her family would be absolutely thrilled.

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

Wow that's awesome !

[@suzybearheart530]

I used to do extra work and it was always such a bummer when the scene you were in got cut ✂️ 😕 hopefully the turkey scene is out there somewhere!

[@WafflesInTheRain]

Cute story, thank you for sharing

[@incredibleflameboy]

I was an extra in the film ironclad and got promoted to a speaking and fighting scene. I had a scene filmed where the main cast ride into the castle and I come around watching them before walking to the stable then they take their horses to the stable and I was told to adlib something which has become my catchphrase "my stables are always open, m'lord." In the final cut they used different camera angles so you only see my boot and then they cut my speaking line entirely. The fighting scene took 3 weeks of sword lessons and I was picked because I'm taller than a fair amount of the people in it. I was given a massive zweihandler and was supposed to have a scene where I lead a charge and cut down a load of enemies for about 7 minutes before getting stabbed and the group losing confidence and falling back. It was really cool and what happened in the end? An entirely alternate scene was used and I looked so fucking cool in armour with a sword nearly as tall as me.

[@SynfulPleasurez13]

I was an extra in a Mel Gibson movie when I was a teen hanging out in Central Park. They cut it and honestly nowadays I'm kinda glad. And I can confirm we asked for an autograph and he was a total jerk.

[@rebeccahorne9487]

I think a major focal point of the movie for me is that it's Noah, specifically, who commits the crime. He's defined in the text as being fundamentally innocent. The elders draw attention to both: that the creatures ignore him because they can sense his innocence, and also that they're beginning to question the purpose of the village because a crime was committed here--the very thing they were trying to keep out. The change in heart about whether this is a good idea comes about because this is the first time the central premise of the village has been seriously challenged. So far, they've been able to keep everybody reasonably content and obedient with nothing more than folklore and mild tricks. But now it's failed, and it's failed in a way that violates their fundamental assumptions about the world. The attempted murder wasn't committed because of evil or corruption. It was committed out of innocence and love. That's not a thing they can keep at bay. Crime and violence aren't evils that can be locked out. They're just things people do sometimes because we aren't always good at being human. I think the community does change over the course of the movie. At the beginning, they're not exactly a cult, so much as an isolated commune that's cruising along on momentum. But now that they've seen the impact of their decisions, and seen how the central assumption of their community is doomed to fail, to continue past this point will turn them into a true cult. At one point, one of the elders shrugs and says "if it ends, it ends." By the end, they're willing to exploit the slow and painful death of their most innocent child in order to reinforce the fear that keeps everyone in line. This is moment they BECOME a true cult.

[@lydia1634]

I don't think people realize how chilling that scene is.

[@nekkrofear]

Wow, I really like your insight on this film 🤯

[@tc2865]

This was my interpretation as well- Noah is actually the moral focus. I'd also say there is a smidge of commentary about how someone like Noah could have received the help he needed with his condition in a more modern setting and instead had to suffer what one as himself would during the times the village was looking to emulate. His particular family tried to avoid modern forms of grief only to replace them with old ones in the name of idealism.

[@Yoriichi_Tsugikuni___]

Huh ? I thought the ending meant they would stop living in the village and return to the city ??

[@bisolo8]

Great analysis!

[@weirdautumn]

I personally think that at some point Walter decided to make Lucius his successor, that's why he sent Ivy to get medicine for him. It was stated that Lucius is fearless and wants to know the truth about the forest, so maybe he's the perfect choice to uphold the status quo.

[@GrimFaceHunter]

Or break it, at the right time and right conditions. Somebody already commented on the genetic bottleneck that the village is facing.

[@nilesclifford9704]

​@@GrimFaceHunterthe village 2004 reminds me of 2 hour episodes of scooby doo because of these monsters.

[@KarateEMouse]

I feel that too. I Feel that he knows Ivy and Lucius will be next elders to pass it down to as well

[@akshaya6770]

I think he sent Ivy because she is blind. She won't able to see how much their life is different from the real world so, she won't be tempted to leave.

[@user-wt8op3eo6e]

True. He even says "who do you think will continue this place after we're gone? It is in THEM that hope lies" or something to that effect

[@kiradattei]

I feel like Shyamalan's films are greatly saved by actually being decent at casting talented people who can bring the story to another level, regardless of the awkward ways he makes them do some things (looking at the entirety of you The Happening).

[@neonicon8500]

The Happening is a good and interesting movie, but it is awkward as hell and pretty cringe at times. But I don't mind watching it. Although it's unrealistic, those moments usually make me laugh because no one would act the way Zoey and Mark's characters would

[@HeatherHolt]

The Happeninf is a so bad it’s good movie to me. My boyfriend and I say “whaaat? Nooo!..” if someone ever says we are doing something we weren’t doing. IYKYK. And I do not think Marky mark is a good actor in any way but I do love that scene.

[@StainsStainsStains]

True, at this point he was still riding high from the sixth sense and everyone and their mother would give M. Night all the money in the world so big budgets for big name, well established, very talented actors was the norm.

[@sammygirl6910]

I'd argue that The Happening has a terrible/miscast cast.

[@HeatherHolt]

@@paul.1337 oh no I think he was perfectly terrible for the role. The girl too. Zooey whatever. Perfectly terrible. And the hot dog guy lol omg it’s so bad I love it

[@jackhummer8344]

12:05 I think you misunderstood this part. Walker didn't know there would actually be someone in a costume in the woods, since from what I remember Noah stole the costume without anyone knowing. Also, I think the encounter with the monster in the woods is still genuinely suspenseful despite the earlier reveal that the monsters were fake. Since despite that... there is still a monster in the woods, leading the audience to question who or what is exactly attacking her.

[@_neolucky]

Her knowing they were fake and yet something scary was there was incredibly suspenseful, because it could have been anyone or heck, could have been *real*. So the fear is pretty palpable in that scene, and the reveal of Noah was really quite sad too. I definitely liked that part a lot, especially since Noah could have easily murdered her the way he tried to the other person.

[@gothgirl4evr414]

Thats the way i remember it also. Noah came across the costumes one day but i can't recall why he put it on and went into the woods to attack Ivy. Like Ryan said its been at least 15 years since i watched this movie.

[@zotharr]

It seems that was the reason they had to reveal that they are not real, before she goes into the forest. Then you know, and ask, if its not real, why it attacks Ivy?

[@ghostshadow4157]

Also, when her father was telling her that the monsters were fake, he said that there were rumours and that it was in the books he taught at the university.

[@tracilehnert2336]

Noah had been locked in that building after stabbing Lucious. When they went and checked on him after Ivy returned they found he had pulled up the floorboards and one of the costumes was hidden under there.

[@thebarky1988]

I think The Village had so much depth. It shows what parents who experienced tragedy are willing to do to protect their children. It also shows profound grief people can experience and how fear can control someone’s life..

[@gimptoast]

I recall hating it on my first watch, simply because it was advertised with trailers that made it out to be a horror film, so that's what I was expecting and it wasn't, but then years later watching it with a fresh look, I loved it and absorbed it for what it was, a dark romance of sorts. Wonderful film.

[@iusedtowrite6667]

Same. I went into thinking it was a creature flick but was pleasantly surprised

[@SuperSwordman1]

I get that. I expected some monster movie I wasn't suppose to watch. What I got was a crappy Scooby Doo episode

[@RevCQ7]

Sounds like a you problem. Learn to judge things based on themselves. Not on some marketing teams bullshit little montage.

[@hernehaugen6878]

What a tweest!

[@onemorechris]

i totally missed the marketing (i was busy getting drunk at university at the time), i saw the film and was very impressed. I can completely see how the promise of horror is only going to disappoint.

[@ShinyAvalon]

This is perhaps my favorite Shyamalan movie, so I have to point out that plot holes you mention...aren't plot holes. First, Elder Walker explicitly _says_ why he told Ivy the secret of the creatures and sent her for medicine: because unlike anyone else in the village so far, Lucius wasn't sick or injured by accident, he was _the victim of a crime_ . Their entire counseling group was, presumably, for survivors of crime victims...and the purpose of founding the village was to shut the world of crime and violence out. The fact that it found them again anyway is reason enough, to him, for extraordinary measures. And of _course_ Elder Walker admires Lucius's courage and initiative. Walker was the one who had the initiative and drive to start the whole crazy "village" idea in the first place. Even though Lucius is a danger to their whole scheme, Walker can't help but admire him. (I also think he realizes that Lucius is a far better man than he is, as Lucius stands up against his problems while Walker organized a mass exodus from his; but unlike some people, recognizing a better person doesn't make Walker jealous, but increases his admiration.) Lastly...the secret of the creatures, and Ivy's last encounter the rogue creature. They keep that secret from the audience until just before that encounter...and then they are careful to reveal that A) the livestock slaughters are NOT the work of the elders (Walker suspects a rogue elder) and that B) the creatures were based on local legends. Since Noah's creature disguise is far more "chaotic" than the usual costumes, it gives the impression that maybe this creature IS one of the "real" ones. Ivy clearly thinks it must be, even though she can't see the differences, so the costume "clues" were clearly meant for the audience. And you know what? It worked on me. For a few moments I thought the "twist" ending would be that the creatures really WERE real after all. The reveal that it was Noah was a third "twist" for me. But mostly this is my favorite Shyamalan movie because the emotional heart of the movie _doesn't_ depend on the "twists." The twists are interesting, but they're not really the subject of the movie. The subject is the characters and their emotions, and I thought they were handled beautifully. I realize it's not to everyone's taste, but I still find it the most enjoyable of all his films to re-watch.

[@xshadowscreamx]

Not better than the sixth sense

[@ShinyAvalon]

@@xshadowscreamx - _Sixth Sense_ was great, and I'd call it the better movie in an objective sense, but I actually enjoy rewatching _The Village_ more. I like the fact that there are more characters, that it's kind of a genre mash-up, and I especially love the mood and the cinematography.

[@turkeyoghoul8884]

Yes! Every time he pointed out a “plot hole” it just seemed like he was missing the point of that particular scene or element.

[@justacrittic1578]

I totally agree, this is my favourite one, but it's also clearly the start of his decline (unless you count Sign as the start). It has that enchanting small american village horror vibe that I love, monsters are cool, and the point at the end where you don't know if it's an elder or a real monster that you mentioned is great. It still gets people when I show them the film. While not being the best, it's still a good film. I think mr.Hollinger is wrong about the expectations of this film, I do recommend watching a few of the trailers of it to see how bad it was. It was wrongly misjudged by people for a long time, and I hope this new wave of Shaymalan (Old, The Servant, and Knock at the cabin) allows this movie to get a second viewing.

[@wickedlittletongue]

I had never really considered the idea that Lucius' injury being an act of violence was what informed Walker's decision but that absolutely aligns with everything we learn about the Elders and their motivations. Brilliant insight thank you for sharing it.

[@IAmJack600]

Addressing a SPOILER: I think you're missing a valuable point in having the monster be revealed to Ivy as being fake before she encounters one in the woods. I always considered it one of the few brilliant ideas in this film. It makes the most sense logically for her father to tell her of the fiction so as to encourage her to travel without worry of being attacked. This would ultimately lead to her journey being much quicker than if she had to hide or stay still after every snap of wood or distant sound in the forest. Having only the audience discover that it was Noah inside the costume would raise more questions than answer them and it would do nothing for her journey. The fact that Noah donned the costume himself was kind of perfect because she can actually come back from her journey assured that Monsters DO exist in the woods and it's not just a fake tale told by the Elders. She herself encountered a REAL monster in the woods, likely the one they based their monster costumes off of. Likewise, then, she could tell Lucius that there are real monsters in the woods because she encountered and defeated one. To me, this simply and conveniently solidified the elders' legacy -- Even though they gave it up. So that would allow him to accept not pushing further -- Although, yes, I suppose the fact that she was able to travel to get medicine from a neighboring town could also embolden him to want to do so. However, after being fatally stabbed... Maybe he'd be more inclined to stay home. Anyway, to me, that twist on the twist works really well. Much better than what followed.

[@PussInBoot414]

I did not think of that, however I think it clearly gets lost on most audiences. It would have been good if that point were put across although the village elders would probably just think she was wrong and mistook something for a monster.

[@Packitagain.]

If M. Night was really the auteur people say he is then she would have encountered a real version of the monster in the woods but been able to escape it because of her lack of fear (maybe they hunt by scenting our fear and the culture of xenophobia and fear in the titular village has reawakwned them) and because she's blind she assumes it was one of the villagers in the costume allowing her to pass thus confirming her father story so she never tells him and their self imposed exile unbeknownst to them becomes a forced exile.

[@IAmJack600]

@@Packitagain. I assume you meant "auteur", though I'm not sure many people would consider him that these days, lol. "Hack", "one-trick-pony" or "has-been", maybe! That could just be me, tho. Hmm, I'm not sure how your version of events would enhance or benefit the story/themes... Perhaps I misunderstood... It would also work against the rules established by the film. Having been given the blessing of all the Elders to travel in the Woods (knowing now that the Elders were always the ones in the costumes), I do not think encountering a real monster would lead her to conclude it was one of the Elders... So it would ultimately have the exact same effect of what transpired in the film -- Except for a little dramatic irony for the audience. It also wouldn't make sense for the Elders to have settled in and be paying for this plot of land if there were an actual real threat to the safety to those who lived within... It's meant to be a crime-less/death-less pseudo-paradise where simpler living is embraced. If their kids could be picked off by a monster in the woods... what'd be the point? I think they'd pack up and leave and try to go somewhere else.

[@IAmJack600]

@@PussInBoot414 yeah, perhaps! I accept that my interpretation of the events of the story could just be my own interpretation -- it may not have been the intended take-away! We'll never know how the rest of it plays out. It justifies the sequence of events to me, at least!

[@PussInBoot414]

@@Packitagain. I would have liked that.

[@jacobsouls]

It's a flawed movie, but it's got this beautiful melancholy vibe that I haven't seen or felt anywhere else and I love to revisit it every so often

[@StainsStainsStains]

I recall it being bland and boring though the twist did get me when i first saw it but i was just a kid then. Might have to rewatch now that I have a deeper appreciation for film making.

[@almastidyatlov9641]

@@StainsStainsStains As a mood piece it's great! I rewatched it this autumn, for the first time since childhood. The village isn't a masterpiece but it was perfect for a rainy, misty, autumn evening. It is cosy yet cold and the colour palette is perfect for snuggling under a blanket.

[@katy_h]

I agree, and the soundtrack is so hauntingly beautiful

[@justacrittic1578]

It was my start into american gothic and "old-timey horror movies". Stuff like vvitch, though I'd also like to recommend Eyes of Fire from 1983, and Hagazussa from 2017 (haven't seen this one yet, waiting for the Arrow edition to arrive, but bought it since it seems simillar.)

[@HotStrange]

Agreed. One of the reasons I think it’s one of M Nights best is because the atmosphere is just so palpable. I felt like I was there and I get those feels every time I watch it.

[@odditygaming5759]

I do sometimes wonder if people like Shyamalan actually sometimes inspire people to become storytellers (script writers, producers, etc) not by being exemplary or admired, but because people look at these stories and think “Wow, if this was tweaked in these small but key ways, it would be SO much better! Maybe I’ll give it a shot!”

[@lamecasuelas2]

Do It! What Is there to lose anyway?

[@kellymcphaul2793]

I agree! It makes the most sense in the world.

[@EveryFairyDies]

I once saw an interview with Shyamalan he described this movie as a romance, and it totally blew my mind at hearing it described like that, but he’s right. This is a romance with monsters and mysteries. The entire story is pushed along by the romance plot. No romance plot, no movie.

[@LunaGirl196]

I read “Running out of time” because it was in a classroom in either elementary or middle school. Great twist and I liked seeing the main character have to deal with it instead of it being a last minute reveal and ending. Would recommend the book, it’s a low key adventure and I like those 👍🏻

[@bellarmire]

I think it wasted its premise though. Like I read it years ago, but the parents play along because.... the dad was good at blacksmithing or something? It feels like the kids accept it all way too easily in the end.

[@KrankyKaiju]

I feel that Shyamalan's reliance on "the big twist" in all of his films has totally negated the impact of said twists. Like, when watching a Shyamalan movie, you're not thinking of the plot, but rather where the twist is going to happen. The greatest twist he could do now is not have a twist at all.

[@nunyabiznes33]

What a twist!

[@timwheeler8523]

This is a brilliant comment.

[@shoopypit4884]

Old really suffers from the ending. It just doesn't fit the rest of the movie and made me hate the entire thing.

[@Tcole655]

Like “knock at the cabin door” ?

[@kragary]

I always liked The Village and still think it's in Shyamalan's top three. It totally worked as a horror movie for me on the first watch! I remember a lot of the backlash against it back then was because people saw it as anti-Bush, "9/11 was an inside job" -propaganda, and people were really fed up with those theories, so they hated the movie when they felt it was trying to push more of the same agenda down their throats. Meanwhile I was a Finnish teen who didn't care much about American politics so I just took it as a scary movie with a twist ending that I totally didn't see coming, and enjoyed it a lot.

[@H4FF]

This has me very curious. What about the film had people connecting it to the "9/11 was an inside job" theories? Just because the leaders of the village essentially fabricated a reality, or was it something else?

[@kragary]

@@H4FF It was basically the stuff about how the enemy wasn't real, but something the leaders invented to keep everyone terrified, so they could be controlled. This was around the same time the government in USA was taking away some privacy rights etc. because of the terrorist threat, and many people were saying that the threat had been invented or at least exaggerated just so those laws could be changed while everyone was panicking. I think even many of those who kinda agreed with those opinions felt the movie was too on the nose. It's also why so many people guessed the twist so early in the movie. These theories were on peoples' minds a lot and that's why the answer seemed almost too obvious to many viewers.

[@H4FF]

@@kragary Thanks for the explanation! I can kind of see why people would have read into it that way, given the times at that point.

[@mst3KGf]

I'm honestly surprised when anyone says they didn't see the twist coming. I saw it coming from the get-go. All the vague comments about "the towns" and how they never went there and about those they lost in "the towns", I instantly went, "Goddamnit it, it's the modern age and they're hiding out in this Amish-type shit because they all lost loved ones and wanted to escape from the modern world." It's as predicable as it gets.

[@kragary]

@@mst3KGf I don't know what to say in my defence, it wasn't obvious to me lol. Maybe it's because we don't have Amish here, either? idk

[@kurvakus7256]

The point about saving Lucius and telling Ivy the truth is blantly spoken in the movie. Her father arguess with the other elders that they need someone to continue their legacy and actions after the first generation dies of the old age and he chooses Ivy (and presumably Lucius) because he see's her (and him) as born leader. They don't count on Lucius and Ivy not discovering the truth, they count on them perpetrating the lie.

[@EsotericTrash]

The Village is my favorite of Shyamalan's. It may be silly in a lot of ways but the look and mood of it is stunning. It's so beautifully shot. And I also found the creatures, fake as they were, genuinely creepy. Also Lucious and Ivy's love plot was simple but also... I really liked it. I loved how whenever she needed he was just there to grab her hand. He may be odd and emotionally stunted but he was still there for the woman he loved. He couldn't really show it other ways but the way he did kinda hit me in the heart.

[@johnsmith8906]

I really like The Village. Once you know it's a romance, not a horror movie it makes a lot more sense.

[@anubusx]

What no.

[@grimnir2922]

@@anubusx Why not?

[@anubusx]

@@grimnir2922 It was a reference to The Happening.

[@user-wt8op3eo6e]

This! People don't get it because they don't know it's a love story from start to finish

[@wstine79]

The creatures in the movie would be more threatening if they left warnings of splashes of GEOLOGIE that spelled "HOYEVER."

[@moxxistrokes]

I've always said this...

[@OtherDalfite]

ATTUALLY

[@psimonkane1]

What does this even mean

[@mrbungle3310]

Or Noy

[@Tom_Samad]

Not only do i believe this movie is underrated, i believe it has one of the most beautiful soundtracks. And this movie was also the first ever movie that i had watched on an airplane!

[@gentlemanvaultboy8671]

I love that you called the elders not letting Lucius die a plothole and then, right after, proceeded to explain the psychological reasons why they wouldn't want to just let him die.

[@Surllio]

M. Night is so weird. He is one of the few directors that understand the use of silence and stillness, but he is so hung up on the idea that he never fleshes out the idea enough to make it truly compelling. The Village has some of the best hauntingly creepy yet beautiful cinematography. Every shot creates this lovely vista but its just dripping with unease.

[@Cinna316]

Lucius and Ivy's romance is so underrated, the chemistry they have and the scenes they share are just perfect, from their acting to the cinematography and music. I don't know, this film does things to me, it's just beautiful.

[@GothVampiress]

i've always had a soft spot for the village, in part because it takes place super close to where i grew up; one of my childhood friends' family antique store even provided some of the set dressing. but i'll admit, having context for the area really helps my enjoyment of the film. i have a lot of experience growing up around the amish community, and being english (that is, not-amish) in the same spaces is an easy way to learn their community isn't nearly as wholesome as their outward tourist image. i've always considered the movie to also house a mild critique of their lifestyle, but it's not something that's brought out. i typically find most of the movie to be really good pieces put together in a way that's passable, but that doesn't do any of the individual elements justice.

[@lamecasuelas2]

Edith: One thing that's honestly amazing about the Village it's Roger Deakins' cinematography. But anyway, i was never a huge fan of M. Night, the sisxth sense was good but i wasn't crazy about It, Signs was fun to watch in the cinema back when i was in secondary school but the suspense wears off with repeated viewings. Lady in the water Is not good but it's also kind of engaging. As for the rest i think a lot of His output Is bad but i also was never angry about it or anything like that. I actually respect him a lot. I think that Split and Unbreakable aré really solid and It only has been in recent years when i learned to appreciate His body or work, that Is for better or worse.

[@luciad.6487]

I remember my Religion teacher making us watch this movie when me and my classmates were twelve, i got very easily scared and this movie until the plot twist really scared the shit out of me. But I think after watching this movie was really when I started consuming horror movies in an aware way and actually started appreciating them

[@aroha9090]

This is actually quite an appropriate film for learning about religion! Kudos to that teacher

[@JanFWeh]

There are things that clearly went over your head, Ryan. "For inexplicable reasons Walker let Evy get help..." Walker decided to let Evy get help for Lucius, because he wasn't dying from natural causes. He was dying due to a crime. The very thing they were running away from. "They should have let Lucius die and not tell Evy the secret" - They state in the movie that Walker wants Lucius and Evy to continue their community and be and the new guardians who uphold the secret when the elders die. That's why Walker initiated Evy.

[@Veiled_Lepidoptera]

I love that you did this. I have a weird soft spot for The Village so it's been a fun watch.. However, it did make me curious if you've any interest in reviewing Le Pacte des loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf) at all? It's a French horror/thriller film with Vincent Cassel and Mark Dacoscas as leads. If/when you see it you'll understand why this reminded me of that. I'd love to see a review of it if you ever decide to check it out (There's a dubbed version that's not too awful but I highly suggest the subtitles instead unless you speak French).

[@kragary]

I love that movie, though I'm not the biggest fan of the twist, it's a bit weird. But the atmosphere and everything else is just *chef's kiss*

[@brettb205]

Thank you for mentioning Running Out of Time. I feel like that book was let down by this being the closest it got to an adaption of it. Would have been great to have the twist like that be midway versus the finale and see what that break in reality means for those who have gone and must return with that knowledge

[@cleeks5549]

I always thought the Village was great. I didn't know anything about it and I was sold on the eeriness and haunting quality. I also thought the stilted, formal dialogue and weirdness worked well with the concept of the nineteenth century rural village.

[@TheValhalla1989]

I remember signs was red hot when it came out and because it actually had aliens in it I think everyone expected real monsters in the village.

[@melisspooky]

I loved this movie. I thought it was one of Shyamalan's best movies and was very well done. When you watch the behind the scenes for this movie and everything that went into making it, it becomes very clear that it was a passion project. I admit to being slightly disappointed that Those We Don't Speak Of were only based on legends in the area, and that it was the elders all along. But, it does make sense for what the elders are trying to do and how it keeps things in order. It would've been pretty cool if they had been actual creatures, I won't lie. The movie is more of a drama/romance film and it's well done. The cast was phenomenal and acting was great. Also, the soundtrack is by far one of my top favorite movie soundtracks. It's so beautiful and well done, and something you can listen to on its own when doing housework or even a hobby.

[@QuintessentialWalrus]

Whoa, you actually do read our comments? In that case, let me just say that your videos always bring me comfort and joy and I think you're an intelligent, efficient writer. KZbin's a bastard but I hope you're able to keep doing this for as long as you want to 👍

[@kellymcphaul2793]

Agreed.

[@neonicon8500]

I think Eevee's dad sent her because both she and Joaquin's character were becoming liabilities wanting to leave so I think he sent her, told her about the creatures being fake, and everything to make sure she made it out, but unable to make her way back. He didn't consider a ranger coming up on her right where she exited the forest -- making it easier for the authorities to find the settlement. I think the dad sent her believing she would not be able to find her way back nor give directions to anyone, and that would cause Joaquin's character to die. 2 birds, 1 stone And if his intents for Eevee weren't sinister, maybe he knew she'd have a better life on the outside since the evils of mankind is inescapable either way. I think he really did want Joaquin's character to die though, because he really could expose the village.

[@andieallison6792]

The Pokemon??

[@bobgunter9608]

Do a video on Skinnamarink I’m interested to see your opinion

[@kiradattei]

Yes! I would love to see that!

[@holly-vg1iz]

I watched this one for the first time in English class in high school (forgot in which context). It is the first movie I consciously remember as knocking me out of my socks with the plot twist at the end about the time and location. I am also a huge sap and absolutely adore the soft romance. One of my favourite movies of all time.❤

[@katy_h]

I absolutely love The Village and I consider myself a seasoned horror fan. Whenever anyone asks what's a film that I love but everyone else hates, I say The Village 😂

[@unlaidenswallow]

I was aware of the twist when I first watched the film and still really enjoyed it. I always presumed that Ivy had the truth revealed to her so that she wouldn’t be afraid to go through the woods, as we see her two escorts succumb to their fear quite quickly. I thought more would come of the guy questioning why the magic stones to protect them had suddenly appeared. But ah well, I still enjoy myself.

[@efnfen]

When I first watched The Village I honestly didn't realize you were supposed to think it was in the 1800s or whatever. I just assumed they were separatists.

[@CountAxel]

I’m the “baker” at 1:46… but I was used for months as core BG ..it was the most magical set I’ve ever set foot on…. I was 18 and working with that incredible cast ..and the crew!! .. Ann Roth .. Roger Deakins etc.. unbelievable honor and privilege. It was such a beautiful experience .. production took amazing care of us.

[@sagebaca2013]

Hey Ryan I've requested this before but I really hope that you can review a very old "horror" film from 1978 titled Magic. On surface it looks like a casual killer doll film but you'd be surprised at how much of an emotional story it is through the main character Corky and his creepy dummy Fats.

[@theblackflame4002]

That movie freaked me the hell out when I was a kid. So damn good and no one talks about it. Great choice.

[@erinsmith4416]

Such a beautifully shot and acted film that is truly a missed opportunity to say ....well anything. Not only do the elders rule through fear and deceit but their "paradise" is one that allows people to die preventable deaths so that the society stays "pure" and nobody dies preventable deaths. I think by telling us that the monsters weren't real early we were meant to find the appearance of one chasing Ivy even more frightening and question what is true and what is lies. But it fell flat. Whereas having the creatures actually be real is actually a better twist as a representation of something like grief or fear or control that the elders somehow literally manifested locking them and those around them into the lie they all created and now can't escape

[@Foxissly]

Honestly even with all it's flaws The village stays my favourite M. Night Shyamalan film.

[@Jmorris3265]

I always remember seeing the monster design and being really into it, because it looked like an actual costume and not just a cgi creature design, in many ways the twist cheapened that for me (for obvious reasons) but also it’s hard to appreciate the other qualities of a film if you’re too busy missing the village for the monsters as it were.

[@iusedtowrite6667]

This movie was done dirty by it's marketing.

[@RyanHollinger]

It doesn't change what we got

[@iusedtowrite6667]

@@RyanHollinger oh yeah. I genuinely thought it was like a proper creature flick when i had sat to watch it but rather watched an interesting movie. Not my favourite but i don't mind it either 😌

[@HeyFella]

My favorite Shyamalan film. If it had an A24 logo on the poster and Ari Aster’s name attached to it people would be all over it. It was a victim of mis-marketing and audiences memeifing it’s filmmaker. It’s gorgeously photographed, has phenomenal performances, a wonderful score, and a twist that works thematically and is no “dumber” than the ones in plenty of Hollywood classics.

[@sanna9062]

I don't think Ari Aster or A24's name would change anything. They make more complicated films. Back when it came out people really weren't making fun of Shyamalan, but yes, it was definitely mismarketed.

[@josephmayfield945]

Lol no.

[@HeyFella]

@@josephmayfield945 no I’m actually 100% accurate

[@jonathanmulondo9206]

M Night is a mixed bag. On the one hand he made good and decent films like The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs And Split, but he also made trashy schlock like the Happening and The Last Airbender.

[@joshrichardson5290]

I genuinely love this film. I totally agree things could have been shuffled around to be more effective but, regardless the spell it casts and the grief (yet hopefulness) it portrays is just so unique. I think it's M Night's best film.

[@LaneMaxfield]

I think the most consistent problem with M. Night Shyamalan's films is that the characters always feel brought to life by the actors in early scenes, only to have later twists about their true motivations create plot holes and inconsistencies. The result is a sense that Shyamalan desperately wants to be a person who has something profound to say about humanity, but can't be bothered to observe how real human beings think, feel and behave. It's a little like listening to a bright eighth grader try to explain how he has "solved" the problem of going faster than light speed. It's not that they aren't smart, it's that they confuse intelligence with omnipotence and refuse to listen to anyone who tries to explain what they are missing.

[@evaserration6223]

I remember working out the twist of the monsters being fake as a means of control by the elders even when the film was announced with the premise and title (then called 'The Woods') When proved right at the midpoint I didn't see the other main twist coming. Everyone I went to see it with hated it but I loved it as it asked the question of what we as an audience should find scary - fairytale monsters or murder/rape/backstabbing/modern life in general.

[@WikiSorcerer]

I've never liked Shyamalan. Maybe he's overrated, maybe it's just me, I just don't like him. Every movie of his I've watched bored the Hell out of me. And don't get me started on The Last Airbender.

[@thegreatinterpreter8382]

At the end of the movie, you see an old picture of the family as they lived in the real world. Juaquin Phoenix's character was an infant-- but, nevertheless, was exposed to the real world as a child. This is why, in the back of his mind throughout the film, he knew there was more to the world beyond the village.

[@tenpintsofsundrop]

To me, The Village is one of the greatest movies of all time. But not if you look at it as a horror movie, but instead: a love story. Whether or not there is ACTUAL danger, she is willing to brave what she believes to be life threatening horrors (especially because she is blind, and she cannot see if something is a monster or a person trying to kill her) and even when she is abandoned by her cowardly companions, she still PUSHES ON. She will do anything to make sure that her lover is healed so they can be married. To me, the true centerpiece of the film is the scene where he finds her on the porch and they talk about potentially dancing together on their wedding day - it gives me chills every single time. It's about how they are the only two people brave enough to go into the forest and they will always love each other no matter what

[@KrisKrisKrissy]

There are certainly issues with this movie, but I honestly think it works for the most part. The message seems to be to not run away/look away from your problems. The elders created this 'utopia' of people who don't question things and live happy simple lives. But it's just a bubble, something that will pop as soon as anyone (Lucius and Ivy) start to want more from life than to just safely go with the flow. It seemed to me that as soon as Lucius was attacked, they knew the farce was going to end, but they're just trying to maintain it for now so as to not just dump the truth on the whole village on top of the current situation.

[@meganfaith4052]

I will Die on the hill The Village is actually one of the better M. Night films. Especially for some of the camera work! It was mostly gorgeous

[@daniellevaughn4598]

"The world moves for Love. It kneels before it in awe." - William Hurt The Elders scene alone, made this movie a B+ for me. I guessed the "twist" early on in the movie, and this is still one of my favorites from M Night. The acting was phenomenal.

[@itsmainelyyou5541]

I love the melancholy aspect of a parent's misguided love and the lies and monsters we build to try and combat the same. It's the hope that made me ache.

[@SamNeelysGonnaGetYa]

The true star of the movie is James Newton Howard's score. I loved that the first credit was the featured violinist. Also, for someone who grew up in a more isolated fundamentalist community, the final twist definitely hits differently.

[@Kanashimimo]

I know it's a flawed movie with quite a few plotholes, but I can't help, but putting it on top of my favorite movies. I actually love the characters, especially Lucius and Ivy, I feel it's too rare that this kind of character is chosen to be the main characters in any stories (Lucius is a quiet, sensitive man, while Ivy is a cheeky, adventurous, yet delicate woman) and their pairing makes so much sense to me. I love the music of this movie, and I especially love the camera work (notably in the scene where Ivy is waiting for Lucius to hold her hand) as well as some of its lines ("the world moves for love; it kneels before it in awe"). Like, I get how polarizing it is, but when I'm coming out of a movie filled with ideas about the world and what it could become after the end of the story, it's a damn good movie for me.

[@florealecat]

i was 14 when the village first came out and i broke my heart at first. i was still very much in love with shyamalan's movies up until the lady in the water, and it wasn't until later that the twist in this movie felt hollow. i need to rewatch and see how i feel about it now, before i watch his new cabin film thank you for the video, as always~

[@amandakriss4244]

Running out of time was one of my favorite books as a kid. I read my copy so much it fell apart. This movie feels almost like a version of this book if it focused on a different set of characters.

[@wickedlittletongue]

I read that book so much as a kid too! Probably one of the reasons I always liked the Village more for its twists being what they were.

[@dgmt1]

The big problem I have with Shyamalan in general is that he is basically has ideas that would work for a 30 minute episode of a twilight zone style show, but they are just too thin on content and depth for a full length movies. He lucked out the 6th sense and he has shown that he just isn't a good enough writer to handle writing full length features on his own. I didn't hate signs or the village on my first viewings but both came across as having good setups that ended up in huge letdowns due to inconsistant writing and weak 2nd halves. The twist in the village was too obvious from the beginning and I really disappointed when it finished exactly how I thought it would. It could have been a good movie if it was more open ended and focused on the mystery and setting rather than force feeding a cheap twist ending. Compared to his later movies the village seems like a masterpiece but overall I'd still grade it C-tier at best.

[@plamondonworks6948]

Ahhhh I'm glad you mentioned Running out of Time! I was always conflicted when I watched and enjoyed this film because I recognized the parallels and it felt cheap at that point. I know It's POSSIBLE they independently came up with a plot with such similar beats but hearing he's been accused of this again in his successful Signs, and seeing lackluster work he's done in his more recent works, I'm skeptical of his writing prowess. His directing is great, usually.

[@EmiaRaine]

The first time I saw this was at a friend's house when I was a teen. The volume was super low because her parents' room was behind the tv. She told me the modern twist going into it (can't remember if she also revealed the monster one too), so I was watching the whole thing play out pretty much for what it was. Walked away from the film liking it. I haven't seen it since then and I get why people wouldn't like it due to the twists and suchlike. Personally, the film holds a special place in my heart.

[@LittleRedTeaCake]

i still vividly remember seeing it in theaters. I can't remember if it was a family movie day or just me and my mom (my dad doesn't really like horror) and I remember turning to my mom about, 20 minutes in and whispering, "It's now. It's not a period piece." She thought I was wrong. I actually really enjoyed the movie, I liked a lot of his older work and this was no exception.

[@kmjl93]

Hey Ryan! Would there be any chance of reviewing/comparing Exorcist 2 and 3? I was curious about your thoughts when is comes to the focus of both films, and what makes one film better than the other. I personally love Exorcist 3, and I think it’s the superior of the two sequels. Brad Dourif is amazing as the Gemini Killer, and George C. Scott has always been great! Your videos are the best, and they’re the best part of my day. Much love from the US!

[@wstine79]

I thought the Sci-Fi Channel Documentary about M Night Shyamalan's mental state during the making of "The Village" was more enlightening than the movie. It was a fine.

[@FigmentForever]

Know where I can find this? My search skills couldn’t pull up anything

[@StainsStainsStains]

Wait what? Is this a real thing that was made?

[@FigmentForever]

@@StainsStainsStains Found it searching The Buried Secret of M Night

[@FigmentForever]

@@StainsStainsStains But it’s more of a mockumentary, as it was done with the full involvement of the cast & scripted so it’s “fake” but still worth a watch

[@StainsStainsStains]

@@FigmentForever thank you!

[@charleshammel8541]

Can we get more of these "rewatching it after 10+years" type essays?

[@AerynKDesigns]

Thank you for posting something less scary this week. Also, this has the same twist as Divergent too, but I feel like that worked better (in my opinion) because while the "omg it's the present day and everything's techy and clean" was still there, it had an easier way of isolating the location, with much of the surrounding area literally being bombed/destroyed into nothing so crossing the wasteland, as it were, wasn't really viable. Also there was a literal wall that was difficult to scale, so wandering over it was a choice and it was guarded. In reality, trying to isolate a location like this, especially if (you didn't say so I'm not sure) this is actually in Pennsylvania. Private property is private, in general, but like... people break the rules all the time. Someone, in modern dress, is just gonna wander through that forest chasing a deer, or evading police, or just plain hiking and getting lost. Especially if they're trying to say this community is from the 70s. No way, in all that time, are there no stories of/or encounters with the modern outside world that'd spread like rumours and make *someone* curious enough to want to go look. And you can't convince people that a person in a tee shirt and camo pants speaking the native language is just a soulless monster like the actual monsters in red they've seen.

[@101Waylander]

I enjoyed this movie, the twist at the finale was ok and didn’t ruin the movie for me. I found the story to be thought provoking regardless of certain problems that can be classed as plot holes.

[@sebdecsebdec]

Shyamalan's storytelling is blunt and sometimes ridden with plot holes, but it's always really worked for me. Everything is like a punchy, campy, effective Twilight Zone episode, and I'll always be there for it

[@emdogg6439]

I remember when this came out as a kid. The porcupigs were freaky looking and the ending was such a whiplash.

[@LizbetNene]

I have a real soft spot for The Village. I just liked it, I enjoyed the setup and the performances and... well, frankly, as the world continues to go to hell in a handbasket the idea of hiding in the woods with a dozen of my closest friends and their families LARPing the olden days (maybe with a few tweaks to social attitudes) isn't completely implausible to be honest.

[@SR-oc7fc]

I unapologetically love this movie. It's a beautiful love story with some mildly scary elements, and the soundtrack is in my top 5 (Hilary Hahn's achingly gorgeous violin gives me all the feels). The idea that they moved somewhere toward hope is just so noble. Of course it has plot holes and some goofy dialogue, but this and Signs are my two favorite from Shyamalan.

[@angelicaisaurapolosilahua7672]

I adore this movie. Lucious and Eve are great characters.

[@ShakingHandsMedia]

Thank god we have Ryan to say all the same things that were said when the movie came out. This video made me feel like I was back in school. Curiosity at an all time low.

[@SwaggyG_2102]

I remembered seeing this movie getting referenced in Scary Movie 4 when I was a kid. That whole series felt like a whole fever dream to go through.

[@StainsStainsStains]

Heh, sm4 really did this movie dirty.

[@nunyabiznes33]

@@StainsStainsStains I don't blame Brenda for wanting to churn that butter though.

[@SithLadyDarhVamp]

I always loved this movie, I found it scary enough when I first watched it as a preteen. It's a sweet, sombre story with horror elements and the design of Those We Don't Speak Of is sfill masterful. They tormented my nightmares for years after first witnessing them. Imo, this movie is an underrated gem.

[@TyroneBruinsmaFilms]

Goddamn is this film stacked with great actors and amazing cinematography.

[@BeckyLStoutWriter]

I'm glad you mentioned the music. It's probably my favorite aspect of the film. Not to give too much away, but there's a scene where Ivy is waiting for Lucious and then it goes into slow motion. The violin music being played there is incredible.

[@DoeBoi04Art]

(Spoiler warning) I’ve always enjoyed this movie, at least the few time I watched it when I was younger with my mother. I never picked up that they tell you the twist before the end. I always remembered the ending being the only time the monsters are revealed to be costumes. However I’m pretty sure my mom also had to explain that’s all they were at the time, so I guess I was just too young to understand in general.

[@smalltalk2k]

I loved the movie. I remember hearing the campfire tale that it was based on back in the early 80's when I was a kid. I'm glad it was made into a movie. The core concept definitely predates the 90s book/story.

[@theroadhomefromwrestling1788]

I liked this movie a lot. I saw it in the theater and thought it was a really scary movie with a good twist. I think it was a victim of over M Knight saturation. People were sick of him by this point.

[@jester12341]

I can't help but love the Village. Sure it's clumsy and perhaps contrived but I love the music, cinematography, themes, some of the dialogue and cast are awesome.

[@PeJota615]

The Village was like 2 or 3 drafts away from being a better movie. One thing that always bothered me was how short of an existence the titular village had been around. I feel like if we were witnessing the story taking place 3 or 4 generations deep into this compound's existence the illusion, the relationships, the culture of fear, and the corruption of the place would have been more deep seeded. It would have had more impact and made for more interesting characters. As it is the village always felt fake to me. Even before knowing the twist it was pretty clear to me this place was not at all what it seems.

[@chappyfoe]

I was about 13 or 14 when I saw this. It was this and The Others that were my first "horror" movies. Both creeped me out me in equal measure but I loved the feeling. This one always holds a special place in my heart because being a sort of semi-sheltered homeschooled kid the fears of the "outside world" were relatable.

[@dragdive]

It's weird how sometimes you'll say a movie is flawed because they don't let us know the characters enough to care about what happens to them and then with this film you say it's boring and in the way of getting to the "monsters"...which is it? I enjoyed the drama, love triangle, character development aspect of this film, it made the ending more impactful.

[@H4FF]

I think part of why he called it boring in this film is because of the way the characters are given attention versus the monsters and the woods outside of the village. The relationships and the characters are kind of convoluted and a tad bizarre, at least according to Ryan (I think). As such, it's easy to be more distracted by what seems to be the more intriguing part of the film, namely the weird monsters and how off everything feels. I.e., I don't think it's necessarily him being inconsistent, I think it's about the specific context of this film.

[@iusedtowrite6667]

M Night is such a hit or miss with me. Like some of the stuff he does is genuinely very interesting and great while the other half is absolute dogshit

[@sekaihatsu]

I didn't know anything about the movie before seeing it and I liked it. It was just scary enough, mysterious enough, and the reveal of the origins of the Village and the monsters was interesting though sad. Even though Ivy knows the creature isn't real, when one is "hunting" her it's scary. Who would willingly come after and scare after being allowed to go outside? It's tragic when the monster is shown to be Noah. I also read Running Out of Time, which was sad and great. All of Margaret Peterson Haddix's books were thought-provoking, heart-breaking, shocking, and world-view-changing for me when I was a preteen.

[@boobootittleman7299]

The fact that this film doesn’t have a wide release Blu ray is CRIMINAL! Especially considering how damn gorgeous the cinematography is.

[@RyanHollinger]

Can't go wrong with Roger Deakins

[@wstine79]

Aside from the bizarre twist, the tomb was actually very well made. Most of the Casper great and the Mystery was intriguing.

[@theunpopularopinion9833]

M Night Shyamalan is a mixed bag for me, the same with a whole bunch of people it seems. Sometimes he'll make some fantastic films like Unbreakable and Signs (Signs is my personal favorite of his due to the themes, and partially because it scared the shit out of me as a kid. Yes I know it has issues, but I still love it), but other times he'll make films that range from terrible to "WTF was that?" (The Happening goes without saying, and while the premise of Old is great, the execution didn't hit the mark for me at all. Lady in the Water *somewhat* worked, but again, most of the execution was questionable). The Village is a strange one to me. The twist was disappointing and it's not the greatest movie out there, especially when you look too deep into it, but something about the film appeals to me and my family. Heck, even my brother likes it despite it not being his type of movie (in regards to the drama and romance at least). Maybe its the atmosphere, the actors, the setting, the ideas and music, who knows. It's a film we all like, even though I wish the monsters were real in some aspect (on that note, the designs for Those We Don't Speak Of are just plain eerie. They still creep me out to this day and I don't know why. Cloaked monsters is a design that should be used more).

[@seebadd2968]

I do wonder if Shyamalan is doing adaptions now because he knows he'll get called out on stealing plot points in the modern day.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I watched this the other day with a friend who'd never seen it, and we both really enjoyed it. For me, it brought back a lot of memories of the summer I lived in the woods (and going to see this film in the theater that same summer. Did not sleep well for a few nights however.), but I just truly love this film. The score, the handmade props and sets and costumes, the stellar cast, the ideas of what grief is and how it affects people throughout generations, I wish there were more movies like this. And I don't even think I mind the "twist" ending as much as I used to (except the awful cameo, dude you are *not* Hitchcock, just stop it), it shows just how fragile an experiment the Village really is. Money can do so much to keep them safe, but it is a very flimsy protection when seen from the other side of the fence. The climbing ivy covering the chain link was a nice touch too.

[@chrismcjunkin6600]

It also begs the question (spoilers for the last act so don’t read past this if you’re for some reason reading this and don’t want to be spoiled) of why didn’t one of the elders themselves just volunteer to go get the needed medical supplies? That way they wouldn’t have to worry about any of the younger ones finding out the truth. Not sure if that was addressed in the movie as I haven’t rewatched it since seeing it in the theater but seems like a simple solution and I would go before sending my blind child out into the woods where who knows what could happen.

[@dramamole]

I really like this movie. Dare I say even love it. Ultimately it's a love story and honestly one of the few not toxic ones portrayed in film. Also i just want to shout out the always amazing Judy Greer. Just love her