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Movies / On DVD / The Village
The Village

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The Village (2004)

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Reviews Counted:194

Fresh:82

Rotten:112

Average Rating:5.4/10

Consensus: The Village is appropriately creepy, but Shyamalan's signature twist ending disappoints.

Runtime: 2 hrs

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Synopsis: M. Night Shyamalan's THE VILLAGE finds the renowned writer-director crafting a suspenseful story of a small community whose inhabitants are plagued by fear of the unknown forest that surrounds... M. Night Shyamalan's THE VILLAGE finds the renowned writer-director crafting a suspenseful story of a small community whose inhabitants are plagued by fear of the unknown forest that surrounds them. For years, they have kept a truce with mysterious creatures in the woods by vowing never to breach a clearly defined border. However, when a young man (Joaquin Phoenix) becomes determined to explore the nearby towns, his actions are met with menacing consequences. Shyamalan continues his remarkable streak of entrancing and entertaining thrillers (THE SIXTH SENSE, UNBREAKABLE, SIGNS) with THE VILLAGE. A meticulous filmmaker, Shyamalan displays his penchant for setting up a fascinating atmosphere in every aspect of the movie, from its distinctive color scheme to its intentionally genteel dialogue to its outstanding cinematography, courtesy of Roger Deakins. Renowned cast members Phoenix, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, and Adrien Brody are excellent, but the true standout is Bryce Dallas Howard (daughter of director Ron Howard), who embodies the heart of the film with her vulnerable but fiercely vital performance. Like Shyamalan's other movies, THE VILLAGE has a distinct twist that offers shocking revelations, but this film's overwhelming sense of menace is what is sure to resonate with viewers long after it's over. [More]

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Dallas Howard, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Dallas Howard, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Adrien Brody, Brendan Gleeson, Michael Pitt, Cherry Jones

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Screenwriter: M. Night Shyamalan
Producer: Scott Rudin, Sam Mercer
Composer: James Newton Howard
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

[See More Credits]

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  • The Village - End Event
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    The Village - Echo Rules
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    The Village Featurette
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1 - 4 of 5

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Reviews for The Village

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
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N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A powerful tale of isolationism, a desire for innocence and hope, and a fear of the unknown.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
09/19/04
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

The Village is both atmospheric and beautifully shot, but the end result is deeply disappointing.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
08/19/04
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Go in with a snide attitude, desperate to see The Sixth Sense director fail, and you'll leave with your prejudices underpinned. Better to embrace the experience and allow Shyamalan to show off his sublime gift for suspense.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
08/19/04
Nev Pierce
Nev Pierce
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Made with such elegance, atmosphere and wonderfully mannered performances it will nestle deep inside your head, refusing to budge.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
08/19/04
Ian Nathan
Ian Nathan
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Another voluptuous piece of tension and Shyamalan's best work since The Sixth Sense

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
08/19/04
James Christopher
James Christopher
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Shyamalan surpasses his best to deliver an utterly accessible and totally enthralling film, one of the most original works to hit the big screen in recent years.

Full Review Source: FilmFocus | comment Comment
07/25/04
Joe Utichi
Joe Utichi
FilmFocus
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

The Village is not completely awful, but it comes closer than one would like to admit.

Full Review Source: ESplatter | comment Comment
07/04/08
Steve Biodrowski
Steve Biodrowski
ESplatter

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
12/27/07
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

Village idiot.

Full Review Source: Bangor Daily News (Maine) | comment 2 Comments
08/05/07
Christopher Smith
Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)

In a time when Hollywood is more interested in remakes and sequels than in original movies, Shyamalan continues to tell new stories. And he's really good at it.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
11/10/06
Lisa Ann Cockrel
Lisa Ann Cockrel
Christianity Today
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: New Yorker | comment Comment
07/22/06
Anthony Lane
Anthony Lane
New Yorker

It’s hard to care about situations that have been designed only to obscure the ultimate twist.

Full Review Source: Lessons of Darkness | comment Comment
05/04/05
Nick Schager
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness

Picturesque, slightly haunting but silly in a frustrating way.

Full Review Source: Dark Horizons | comment Comment
04/02/05
Garth Franklin
Garth Franklin
Dark Horizons

A timely mention of the ways that violence begets violence, and in how effective terror can be in keeping people under control.

Full Review Source: Freeze Dried Movies | comment Comment
04/01/05
Brian Juergens
Brian Juergens
Freeze Dried Movies

Shyamalan can't brings himself to abandon the familiar. Until he does, however, he's just going to keep coming back with diminishing returns.

Full Review Source: NYC Film Critic | comment Comment
03/05/05
Ethan Alter
Ethan Alter
NYC Film Critic

It is not a bad film, despite its goofy plot, thanks to top-flight acting.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
02/05/05
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
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