Great suspension thriller

Rating: Null/10 (5 April 2004)

This movie is far from (beyond) a trivial alien thriller. It's more about a man's journey of his faith than alien invasion of our earth. We don't see alien ships or weapons, we barely see aliens in full figure (a little at the end), yet it was really scary. I think that's because the movie sets the whole story on a single family on a rather isolated farm, making the experience more personal and much closer to the audience; Shyamalan did a wonderful job building up the frightening atmosphere around the house and the corn field. The Hitchcock style suspension techniques are everywhere. For example, when Merrill went out of the basement to check if the aliens are go, yet the camera didn't move a bit focusing on the empty door, that 10-second long silence and wait was so tense and terrifying; what really scares you is not when you see aliens face to face, rather it's when you don't see them yet expecting them.
Of 'course the movie is more than just a horror story. Reverend Graham lost his wife in an accident, he also lost his faith to God. Holding his son Morgan who was struggling in asthma attack and nearly dying, he ranted "I hate you (God)!". Yet deep down in his heart he held hope, which kept him fighting for his son's life and the family's safety. The experience completely turned him around. The movie asks the question: when we face unknown evil force in our lives, would we still have faith in God, believing someone up above is always watching over us?
One thing I'm confused about is those unexpected humor scattered in the movie. That little conversation between Hess brothers right before they prepare to rush out to scare the alien away seemed a bit out of blue and awkward. Having Merrill wearing the foil hat is also unnecessary.
Overall it's a wonderful movie and I enjoyed it a lot.
7/10.