M. Night Shyamalan is one of the film industry’s most unique and unpredictable filmmakers. He is best known for his twist endings and has delivered some of the most iconic and memorable movies of the past few decades, such as The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable. However, not all of Shyamalan’s movies have been successful, and many have been criticized and panned by audiences and critics alike.
Despite the setbacks, Shyamalan has persevered and continues to make movies that are true to his vision and style. One of Shyamalan’s most controversial movies is Lady in the Water, which was released in 2006. The movie was a box office failure, and many fans and critics were disappointed with the film’s lack of suspense, slow pacing, and absurd story.
M. Night Shyamalan Is Proud Despite Shortcomings
Shyamalan acknowledges the movie’s shortcomings but remains proud of the film, stating that it was a true reflection of who he is as a person.
“Lady in the Water and The Happening are so much a part of me. I love being wicked and getting a rise out of you, [but] being goofy is a part of who I am, as is being earnest. So Lady in the Water was very close to who I am as a person. One thing I let go of on that movie was the idea of, “How will they sell the movie?”
Shyamalan has learned that marketing is an important part of filmmaking and that a director must always be aware of how their movie will be marketed. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he stated, “The marketers are the first people to tell your story. They begin the story. That’s part of the art form. So you have to start thinking about that as you’re making the movie.”
“Now I tell this story to every filmmaker I work with. I also told it to my daughter [Ishana Night Shyamalan], who’s about to make her first movie. I’ll say, “The marketeers are the first people to tell your story. They begin the story. That’s part of the art form. So you have to start thinking about that as you’re making the movie.” And on Lady, I didn’t do that. I just made something that I loved. It was the least seen of all my movies, but to this day, when people come up to me about that movie, they speak with religion about it.”
Another one of Shyamalan’s movies panned by audiences and critics was The Happening, which was released in 2008. The movie starred Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel and was a box-office failure. The movie was criticized for its non-threatening villains and poor acting, but Deschanel has stated that she believes audiences misunderstood it. Despite the setback, Shyamalan continued to make movies, including The Last Airbender and After Earth, which were both box office failures.
The Filmmaker Continues To Be On Top Of His Game
Shyamalan’s career was reignited in 2016 with the release of Split. The movie was a huge success, both critically and commercially, and was praised for its interesting slasher villain and convincing acting. An innovative take on the horror genre. Glass and Old, both well-received by audiences and critics, followed this success.
These movies showed that Shyamalan was back at the top of his game and still one of the industry’s most innovative and exciting filmmakers. Shyamalan’s next project is Knock at the Cabin, an adaptation of a book exploring the reality of one small family being forced to make an impossible choice. The movie is set in a world where the apocalypse is imminent, and the family must choose one of their own to sacrifice to save the rest of humanity.
The movie is already receiving positive early reviews and is expected to reinvigorate Shyamalan’s career further. The movie’s tough choices and character-focused approach are perfect for Shyamalan, who is known for bringing out the best in his actors and his ability to tell emotionally resonant stories.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
