Despite her lack of actual sight, Ivy can see people's "colors," and while she won't tell Lucius his color, you might presume it's not the "bad" one.
The Village (2004)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
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
Reviews for The Village
Disappointing, puzzling and implausible even for Shyamalan's usually sensical world.
the big twist at the end doesn't quite sustain the weight of the previous two hours' build-up
Maybe M. Night Shyamalan should forget this whole “plot twist” business altogether . . .
The most beautifully crafted stupid movie I've ever seen, and a pitiable act of self-sabotage. It isn't healthy for a young filmmaker to decide he's become his own genre.
You want to shut down the action and demand an explanation. Where are these people? Why are they behaving this way? What do they know that we don't know?
Shyamalan extends a decent 30 minute Twilight Zone episode into a two hour endurance test
Unlike his earlier films The Village unravels before your eyes, saving you from feeling you've been made a fool of at a later point, and is thus a great time-saver.
If ever there was a movie designed to convince the audience into thinking it’s wasting its time, The Village is it.
We are propelled back to the 19th century and meet an interesting cast of characters.
So meaningless and distanced in its details that it hardly stands a chance of wooing even the most willing fellow traveler.
Problem is: the tame, third-act plot payoff just isn't worth the build-up and doesn't come as much of a surprise if you listen carefully to the dialogue.
Shyamalan is on the top of his game for the most part, it's just the inane ending that drops the film down into mediocrity.
... Shyamalan’s storytelling is always an attempt to connect with an inner child that wants to believe in a lie both plausible and fantastic. "The Village" is no exception.
While the pictures are pretty and the whole enterprise takes itself ever so seriously, The Village is not nearly as frightening as it thinks it is.
The film is so plodding and the climax so…anti-climactic, that any lessons the audience has learned are forgotten as soon as their eyes start rolling in disbelief.
I must admit that I was always intrigued by this movie and, despite the weakness of the film’s revelation, fascinated by the final destination that Shyamalan had in mind.
[Shyamalan's] most meditative and lovingly rendered offering thus far, if also his least fun.
Latest News for The Village
July 31, 2006:
Box Office Wrapup: "Miami Vice" Knocks Pirates From #1 Spot
Detectives Crockett and Tubbs shot their way to number one in North America with the cop thriller Miami Vice which finally managed to knock the megablockbuster Pirates of the... More...
July 27, 2006:
Box Office Preview: Miami Vice Turns Up B.O. Heat
With cops, drug dealers, and lots of bullets flying, the action film Miami Vice hits theaters across North America this weekend with its aim squarely on the number one spot.... More...
July 24, 2006:
Box Office Wrapup: "Pirates" Passes $300M; "Lady" Stumbles
Johnny Depp made this weekend's four new releases walk the plank as his megablockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest became the first film of the year to spend... More...
July 20, 2006:
Box Office Preview: Will Lady Sink Pirates in the Water?
Directors take center stage this weekend providing starpower to four new films opening in North American theaters all hoping to take down reigning box office king Pirates of the... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 67% 67% | Public Enemies |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 95% 95% | The Cove |
| 85% 85% | World's Greatest Dad |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Village at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Village at IGN
- The Village at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.





