The Happening Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Plants get tired of our crap and decide to mind-control people into offing themselves; a teacher and his wife wander around the countryside trying not to be swayed by nature’s subtle hints.

🍿 The Happening: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Initial Outbreak and Escape

The film opens with unexplained mass suicides in Central Park, New York. A high school science teacher, Elliot Moore (Mark Wahlberg), learns about these events and their rapid spread. Fearing for their safety, Elliot, his wife Alma (Zooey Deschanel), and his friend Julian (John Leguizamo) with his daughter Jess (Ashlyn Sanchez), flee Philadelphia, hoping to escape the spreading phenomenon.

Stranded and Searching for Answers

The group’s escape is cut short when their train is stranded in rural Pennsylvania. As the suicides continue and communication lines break down, they realize the threat is widespread. They encounter a nursery owner who proposes that plants are releasing a neurotoxin, leading to the suicides. The group decides to split up, believing large gatherings trigger the ‘attacks.’

Seeking Shelter and Confronting Fear

Elliot, Alma, and Jess, along with two teenagers, find temporary shelter, but their safety is compromised when the teenagers are killed by paranoid residents. Seeking further refuge, they stumble upon an isolated house inhabited by the eccentric Mrs. Jones (Betty Buckley), who is disconnected from the world. She offers them supper and a bed for the night.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Elliot Moore (Mark Wahlberg): A high school science teacher who tries to protect his wife and a young girl while fleeing a mysterious plague.
• Alma Moore (Zooey Deschanel): Elliot’s wife, struggling with marital issues, who joins him in the desperate escape.
• Julian (John Leguizamo): Elliot’s friend and a math teacher who accompanies them with his daughter, Jess, on their escape.
• Jess (Ashlyn Sanchez): Julian’s young daughter, who becomes the responsibility of Elliot and Alma during the crisis.
• Mrs. Jones (Betty Buckley): An isolated and paranoid old woman who distrusts outsiders, representing societal breakdown during the crisis.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Elliot Moore: “We have to figure this out. Theories save lives.” – Elliot, as a science teacher, emphasizes the importance of understanding the situation to survive.
• Elliot Moore: “It wants us to stop. It wants us to go away.” – Elliot theorizes about the motivations behind the natural phenomenon, suggesting the planet is rejecting humanity.
• Mrs. Jones: “I just want to be left alone.” – The reclusive Mrs. Jones expresses her desire for isolation, a sentiment that foreshadows her tragic fate.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $48M
• Domestic Gross: $64.5M
• Worldwide Gross: $163.4M

💥 The Happening Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘The Happening’ is one of those movies you either love to hate or just plain hate. I remember watching it in theaters and being so confused but also strangely captivated by the sheer absurdity of it all. Mark Wahlberg’s performance as a science teacher trying to outsmart killer plants is unintentionally hilarious, and the ending leaves you scratching your head. While it’s not a ‘good’ movie in the traditional sense, it’s definitely a memorable one for all the wrong reasons.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of M. Night Shyamalan’s earlier work (e.g., The Sixth Sense, Signs)”
  • “Viewers interested in environmental thrillers”
  • “Those who enjoy apocalyptic or disaster movies with a focus on psychological elements”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic depictions of suicide”
  • “Disturbing scenes of violence”
  • “Intense and suspenseful atmosphere”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “M. Night Shyamalan’s direction is clumsy, the dialogue is unintentionally hilarious, and the plot is utterly ridiculous, making ‘The Happening’ a bewilderingly bad thriller.
• Roger Ebert: “While Shyamalan attempts to create suspense and explore ecological themes, the film suffers from uneven pacing and a lack of convincing character development, ultimately diminishing its impact.

Audience Reactions

The strangely funny moments amidst the seriousness.: Some found it unintentionally hilarious, making it a memorable viewing experience despite its flaws.

Overall Consensus: Widely considered a poorly executed thriller with unintentionally funny moments, resulting in a largely negative reception.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “M. Night Shyamalan originally conceived the story as “The Green Effect,”, but it was rejected before being reworked into The Happening.”
• “Mark Wahlberg has publicly stated that he regrets starring in this film.”
• “The German version of the film was edited by M. Night Shyamalan himself to achieve a lower age rating, removing some of the more graphic suicide scenes.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Happening?

As of October 2024, “The Happening” is available to rent or purchase on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Happening, you might like these similar films:

• The Birds (1963): Both films feature inexplicable attacks by nature, creating widespread panic and forcing characters to confront an unseen enemy.
• Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978): Paranoia and the breakdown of social order are central themes, as characters struggle to understand and survive an unknown threat.
• A Quiet Place (2018): Features a family struggling to survive in a world where unseen creatures hunt by sound, forcing them to adapt and remain silent.
• Pontypool (2008): A radio station becomes ground zero for a zombie-like outbreak triggered by language, creating a claustrophobic and suspenseful atmosphere.

🛒 The Happening Related Products

• The Happening [Blu-ray]: Own the ‘happening’ on Blu-ray, a must-have for fans of unintentionally hilarious thrillers. Relive the bizarre moments in high definition and marvel at the oddities of nature’s revenge.
• The Happening Movie Poster: Get the movie poster as a collectible item!

🎧 Soundtrack

The Happening features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Evacuation” – performed by Mark Streitenfeld
• “Central Park” – performed by Mark Streitenfeld

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Honest Trailers – The Happening

In this Honest Trailer for The Happening, Screen Junkies hilariously uncover the absurdity and illogical plot points of the movie in a way that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking. Get ready for a good laugh!

The Happening Pitch Meeting

Step into the Pitch Meeting that started M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening! This Pitch Meeting is a comedic goldmine that sheds light on the bizarre and hilarious aspects of the movie, making it a must-watch for fans.

The Happening: Shyamalan’s greatest twist.

If you’ve ever wondered about the deeper meanings and twists in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening, this video offers thought-provoking analysis that will challenge your perspective on the film. Whether you’re a fan or not, this video promises an insightful exploration.

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