The king of twists is back. Yes, M. Knight has his Shyamalan new movie coming soon. The title is “Knock on the Cabin”. The film is an adaptation of the post-apocalyptic novel The Cabin at the End of the World about a family who must make decisions that could change the fate of the world. But before we step once again into the mind of one of Hollywood’s most polarizing directors, let’s revisit some of Shyamalan’s older films and why his films are always must-see events. Favorite his M. Knight his Shyamalan movie picked?
Shyamalan’s technical prowess is beyond doubt. His distinct Hitchcock his style stands out throughout his filmography. He’s a master of direction, choosing odd and interesting angles, knowing exactly when to focus on a subject or setting, and keeping the camera still to build tension. The director even led to a Newsweek cover story calling him the next Steven Spielberg.
Spielberg’s comparison didn’t pan out, but Shyamalan has carved out a niche in cinematic history, and his fingerprints can be seen in all sorts of twists. It led viewers to hope for that moment that “never saw it come”, but it left the director on the back foot. Whether it’s a low-angle shot through a neon-lit comic store in The Village, his masterful use of lighting in The Village, or the power of color in a glass, Shyamalan knows he’s a master behind the scenes. The camera and still deserves the attention of his viewers.
5 best M. Night Shyamalan movies
5. Unbreakable (2000)
If you’re looking for a very gracefully aged movie, you might be better off watching it now than the day it came out.Unbreakable. chose to take a more realistic interpretation of what it means to be a hero.
Bruce Willis stars as David Dunn, a man who survives an unsurvivable train wreck and discovers that humans are close enough to be invincible. Opposite him is Elijah Price, nicknamed Mr. Glass due to her fragile condition. Glass, played by Samuel L. Jackson, is a perfect fit for Willis’ character. He’s a guy obsessed with the idea of heroes and comic books. In fact, it would be a great meta commentary on the state of superhero movies today.
This movie succeeds because it doesn’t rely on the actions of its main characters at all. Instead, it chooses to focus more on family matters and the idea of finding one’s place in the world. The design makes his scenes pop and gives his characters a bright vibe.
Unbreakable is now streaming on Apple TV+
4. Split (2016)
Split was the moment M. Night Shyamalan announced his return. It’s ushered in by a bone-chilling performance from James McAvoy, who plays Kevin, a man who has 23 personalities and quickly develops a frightening 24 personality. We cast Anya Taylor-Joy, fresh out of The Witch, just a few years before she hit her dumb peak.
While this didn’t initiate what I’ve called the third phase of Shyamalan’s career (The Visit was responsible for it), it did bring him back into the commercial picture as a viable director. I was. The split is brutal, with McAvoy tearing and beating using superhuman strength with only his hands. The psychological aspect of Split proved that Shyamalan regained the understanding of storytelling that made viewers fall in love with him early in his career.
In a left-hand turn, unlike other left-hand turns in his career, Split is a straightforward horror film without the director’s iconic penchant for twists. , was able to show off more of his directing chops without being judged for the ending. His focus on Kevin’s duality pays off as it feels both empathetic and absolute terror at the same time. The look Joy gave McAvoy probably landed him at least five roles in the years that followed.
Split is now streaming on FXNOW
3. The Village (2004)
Think The Village is a masterpiece? No, but I won’t argue with anyone who thinks so. The film has been panned, reviled, replayed and celebrated in one of the most vicious take cycles cinema has ever had.
If The Village hadn’t come out in 2004, it was a phenomenon, given the circumstances. Everyone was talking about the twist, from best friends to mom friends who watch her one movie a year. People were convinced Shyamalan lost it, but others claimed he probably didn’t even have it.
The haters were wrong, Village is the best. Shyamalan uses fear as a justification for safety, a theme that still exists today. The creature’s costume design is chilling, and the contrasting yellow hood is still my go-to choice.
The ending wasn’t bad given the context of the movie. The overwhelming majority set the exception high and begged for the twist they wanted. This is a problem that still persists in pop culture (hello Westworld). The next decade of Shyamalan’s filmography probably didn’t help, as many saw The Village as the first step in his downfall (actually in Lady in the Water). If you see it for the first time, please keep an open mind. The Village is a classic and definitely worth a rewatch if you haven’t seen it in a while.
The Village is now streaming on Apple TV+
2. Sign (2002)
Shyamalan is a patient director. His slowly developing story allows him to hold the cards close to his chest for the classic M. Knight Twist ending. The signs get down and run from the start, starting with the screams of children discovering crop circles in the family’s cornfield.
Speaking of cornfields, Shyamalan chose not to use CGI when creating the alien symbol. Instead, he and his team actually planted a full cornfield and created Twilight His Circle themselves.
Signs’ twisted ends are flatter than flat-earth theory, but that doesn’t define its legacy. His first 90 minutes are as good as any of his other films, and the script is emotional, funny, and thrilling. This is one of his best alien movies of the century, and sitting in the basement with the Hess family waiting for the night with only a few flashlights is just as good as it was the first time I saw him. It’s the fifth heart pounding.
Signs now streaming on HBO Max
1. Sixth Sense (1999)
If you came to this list expecting a twist at number one, sorry to disappoint you, but depending on how you feel about M. Night Shyamalan, it might be appropriate. I was going to. The film changed the course of his career, made M. Knight’s name famous, and forever changed the way moviegoers and critics appreciate thrillers. His legacy is undeniable.
The Sixth Sense’s performance is as good as the script itself. Bruce Willis plays Malcolm, a psychiatrist tasked with helping Cole, played by Haley Joel Osment, deal with his visions. Toni Collette plays Cole’s mother, who has a bad heart and is unable to help her son.Each of these characters is wonderfully written and the acting is prestige. I empathize with the characters who are amplified and seek the end.
Shyamalan ushered in a new contemporary era of thriller and horror films, and its influence is still felt today. Today, the “I see dead people” line sits alongside some of the most iconic in the history of cinema, and people instantly recognize it.
The Sixth Sense is now streaming on Apple TV+
Which M. Night Shyamalan movie is your favorite on this list? Please check.
