not a masterpiece but a movie likely to satisfy the audience

Rating: Null/10 (7 November 2004)

The young and talented M. Night Shyamalan delivered an original picture, that is surely worth the money you're going to spend seeing it. It stars an over the average cast (William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver,Joaquin Phoenix along with the surprising Bryce Dallas Howard) that helps to make the film enjoyable in both acting and storyline. Tension is high all the movie long though the work is a bit lacking and low on action and scares (apart from a couple of jump-in-your-seat scenes). The plot moves slowly creating a very odd but convincing atmosphere, with voices and noises haunting in your mind. Describing ordinary living, love affairs and family relations, Night uses the creatures living in woods as evident metaphors for the fear of change and progress. The final surprise is not as SURPRISING as the one of "The sixth sense,'cause, though not revealed, it could have been understood before but it's nevertheless an intriguing and bright idea.