Photo: 20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Zooey Deschanelhas no regrets aboutThe Happening.
The actress, 42, recently toldThe Guardianthat when it comes to the 2008 thriller from writer/directorM. Night Shyamalanand the harsh reviews it was met with, the critics are the ones who missed the mark. (It currently holds a 17 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.)
Deschanel played Alma inThe Happeningopposite Mark Wahlberg as her husband Elliot. The two are on the run as a mysterious force is causing people to off themselves in disturbingly inventive ways. The film also stars John Leguizamo, Betty Buckley,Spencer Breslin— plus twoSuccessionstars, Jeremy Strong and Alan Ruck.
“That film was pretty universally not loved,” Deschanel said with a laugh when asked aboutThe Happening. “The director, M. Night Shyamalan — Night — had a strong vision and we were all trying to do what he wanted. I trusted him because he’s a great filmmaker. I didn’t know until I saw the film, but I think he was going for a stylized horror, likeThe Birds, and maybe people didn’t get that.”
“I had a blast working with Night and Mark Wahlberg,” she added, “but while I’ve done serious drama, I’m not sure I fit with thrillers. I find most joy in doing comedy.”
20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
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Shyamalan is known for leaving his film audience and critics divisive with his projects, which include movies likeThe Sixth Sense,The Village,Signs,Lady in the Water,The Visit,Splitand, most recently,Old. He’s currently in the process of making his next thriller,Knock at the Cabin.
The Happeningwas his first and only R-rated movie.
Looking back on the reviews, Shyamalan added that he was attempting to make a B-movie thriller but “I think I was inconsistent; that’s why they couldn’t see it.”
source: people.com
