At first glance, the isolated village of Covington, Pennsylvania seems picture perfect, but this close-knit community lives with the frightening knowledge that creatures reside in the surrounding woods. The evil and foreboding force is so unnerving that none dare venture beyond the borders of the village and into the woods. It also leads for the people to grow very suspicious of every day common things, like the color red is considered the bad color because the creatures use it to mark the village when they are displeased by their actions. But when the curious, headstrong Lucius Hunt plans to step beyond the boundaries of the town to try and find medicine for the town from the outside world the town elders forbid him to leave. His actions could threaten the sanctity of the town and invoke the anger of the creatures. The problem is that Lucius does not fear for himself nor is he scared of the creatures that threaten their village; his only concern is for his love Ivy whom does not wish to see him leave either. But as Lucius grows uneasy his desire to venture into the unknown, threatens to forever change the future of the village.

The thing about M. Night Shyamalan movies is that you know there is a twist coming, its hard to be surprised when he throws it at you because you were expecting it. But, that’s not what makes his movies great that is what made him famous and a household name. What makes him great at making movies is even though you probably know what’s coming he still keeps you glued to your seat as his movies are so suspenseful that there is not a moment where I wasn’t absolutely engrossed in what was going happening on the screen. I probably only jumped twice during the movie, but for almost the entire movie my hair was standing on end as the movie was that suspenseful. I think today’s audiences have been to watered down with the whole trend of slasher movies that show lots of blood and gore but have to no real suspense to them. Shyamalan is more like an Alfred Hitchcock that does not have to splash the screen with gore but rather can keep you entranced with how he delivers the story and how he manages to still keep you interested even though you may have guessed the twist and know what is coming. I also like the fact that the trailers give away nothing for this movie, going into the movie you know nothing about it and that is what makes it so enjoyable all the best moments aren’t ruined by a three minute butchering of the movie. I don’t think this movie is Shyamalan’s best but it is still way above anything be produced as far as thrillers go as it highly entertaining and something I will probably buy.
4.5 stars out of 5