Stunning & Powerfully Forceful Cautionary Tale

Rating: 10/10 (24 May 2015)

A beautifully made and truly haunting film the cries out to be seen. The message is subtle but powerful and this may be one of the motion pictures from this era that future audiences will look back upon as prophetic. Visually, this film is astonishing and the imagery is at times overwhelming. An exceptional cast gives uniformly fine performances but it is Zooey Deschanel who virtually gives the performance of a life time with a portrayal so real it breaks one's heart. It is a deeply moving portrait of a woman terrified by the unknown and fearful of losing everything of meaning to her. The director, known for his unusual films that manage to consistently leave us breathless has outdone himself with what he presents us with here. As nature turns against humanity, it can only be seen as a just response to the brutality of man towards the environment. A significant film of tremendous impact, no one can deny the disturbing intensity and incredible foresight that is The Happening.