Let down by the actors.

Rating: 7/10 (15 March 2009)

I won't deny that M. Night Shyamalan is fantastic. Sure, he's been letting himself go in his later films but he is a brilliant director. The overall plot is fantastic, it's new, fresh and gripping. If he has cast different actors then this movie would be brilliant, as the acting is terrible.
Some were brilliant, like the ginger-haired mother who last her daughter over the phone, and the cranky old lady. Mark Wahlberg (Elliot) was one of the worst actors I have ever seen. He hardly changed his expression or tone of voice art all. The ending was exactly like the ending in 28 Weeks Later, it breaks out somewhere in France.
Most of the characters were great, it's just Wahlberg stood out because he portrayed the main character. Do that badly and the whole film is screwed.
I liked this film, I like it a lot. I liked it almost as much as Signs and Sixth Sense. It didn't build up the suspense and then exploded, it kept the same level of suspense throughout, which was its key point.If you're looking for a half-decent movie with a great plot but terrible acting, buy The Happening.