Unveiling "The Happening": Rotten Tomatoes' Critical Consensus

What is Rotten Tomatoes and how did it review The Happening?

Rotten Tomatoes is a website that collects reviews from film critics and uses them to calculate a consensus on whether a film is good or bad. The Happening is a 2008 science fiction horror film directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It received negative reviews from critics, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 18%.

Critics criticized The Happening for its nonsensical plot, wooden acting, and lack of suspense. Some also found the film's message about environmentalism to be heavy-handed and preachy. However, some critics did find some redeeming qualities in the film, such as its effective use of sound design and its stylish visuals.

Despite its negative reviews, The Happening was a commercial success, grossing over $163 million worldwide. However, the film's critical failure damaged Shyamalan's reputation as a filmmaker, and he has not had a major hit since.

The Happening is a cautionary tale about the dangers of environmental pollution. The film's message is that we need to take care of our planet, or we will face the consequences.

Rotten Tomatoes

Rotten Tomatoes is a website that collects reviews from film critics and uses them to calculate a consensus on whether a film is good or bad. The Happening is a 2008 science fiction horror film directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It received negative reviews from critics, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 18%.

• Critical reception: The Happening received negative reviews from critics, who criticized its nonsensical plot, wooden acting, and lack of suspense.
• Commercial success: Despite its negative reviews, The Happening was a commercial success, grossing over $163 million worldwide.
• Director: The Happening was directed by M. Night Shyamalan, who is known for his other films such as The Sixth Sense and Signs.
• Cast: The Happening stars Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, and John Leguizamo.
• Plot: The Happening follows a group of people who are trying to survive after a mysterious event causes people to commit suicide.
• Themes: The Happening explores themes such as environmentalism, paranoia, and the fear of the unknown.

The Happening is a cautionary tale about the dangers of environmental pollution. The film's message is that we need to take care of our planet, or we will face the consequences.

Critical reception

The critical reception to The Happening was overwhelmingly negative. Critics lambasted the film's nonsensical plot, wooden acting, and lack of suspense. Some critics even went so far as to call the film one of the worst of the year.

• Nonsensical plot: The Happening's plot is convoluted and nonsensical. It is difficult to follow and makes little sense.
• Wooden acting: The acting in The Happening is wooden and unconvincing. The actors seem to be going through the motions and do not seem to believe in the material.
• Lack of suspense: The Happening is a horror film, but it fails to generate any suspense. The scares are cheap and ineffective, and the film's pacing is too slow.

The Happening's critical failure is reflected in its Rotten Tomatoes score of 18%. This means that only 18% of critics gave the film a positive review. The film's negative critical reception is a major factor in its commercial failure.

Commercial success

The Happening's commercial success despite its negative reviews is a testament to the power of marketing and star power. The film was heavily marketed by its studio, and it starred Mark Wahlberg, a popular actor at the time. Additionally, the film's premise was intriguing, and it appealed to audiences who were looking for a good scare. As a result, The Happening was able to overcome its negative reviews and become a commercial success.

The Happening's commercial success is also a reminder that critical reviews are not always an accurate predictor of a film's success. While critics may not have liked The Happening, audiences did. This is because audiences are not always looking for the same things in a film as critics. Audiences are more interested in being entertained, while critics are more interested in evaluating a film's artistic merits.

The Happening's commercial success is a valuable lesson for filmmakers. It shows that it is possible to make a successful film even if it receives negative reviews. However, it is important to remember that commercial success is not always a sign of quality. There are many films that have been commercially successful but are not very good. The Happening is one of those films.

Director

M. Night Shyamalan is a well-known director who has helmed several successful films, including The Sixth Sense and Signs. His unique style and ability to create suspenseful and thought-provoking films have earned him a loyal following. The Happening is one of Shyamalan's most controversial films, but it is still worth watching for fans of his work.

• Shyamalan's unique style: Shyamalan has a unique style that is characterized by its use of suspense, plot twists, and supernatural elements. This style is evident in all of his films, including The Happening.
  
  
• The Happening's controversial reception: The Happening was met with negative reviews from critics, but it was still a commercial success. This is likely due to Shyamalan's loyal following, who were eager to see his latest film.
  
  
• The Happening's themes: The Happening explores themes such as environmentalism, paranoia, and the fear of the unknown. These themes are relevant to our world today, and they make The Happening a thought-provoking film.
  
  

Overall, The Happening is a film that is worth watching for fans of M. Night Shyamalan's work. It is a suspenseful and thought-provoking film that explores important themes.

Cast

The cast of The Happening is one of its most important elements. The three lead actors, Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, and John Leguizamo, all give strong performances that help to make the film more enjoyable. Wahlberg is believable as a science teacher who is trying to protect his family from a mysterious threat, Deschanel is charming as his wife, and Leguizamo is hilarious as a comic relief character.

• Star power: The Happening benefits from the star power of its three lead actors. Wahlberg, Deschanel, and Leguizamo are all well-known and respected actors, and their presence in the film helps to attract audiences.
  
  
• Character development: The characters in The Happening are well-developed and relatable. Wahlberg's character is a complex and sympathetic figure, and Deschanel and Leguizamo's characters provide much-needed comic relief. The characters' relationships with each other are also well-developed, and this helps to create a sense of realism in the film.
  
  
• Chemistry: The three lead actors have great chemistry together. They are able to play off of each other well, and this helps to create a sense of camaraderie between their characters. The chemistry between the actors also helps to make the film more enjoyable to watch.
  
  

Overall, the cast of The Happening is one of its strongest assets. The three lead actors all give strong performances, and they help to make the film more enjoyable to watch.

Plot

The plot of The Happening is central to its reception on Rotten Tomatoes, as it heavily influenced the critical consensus and audience reactions. Several key elements of the plot directly impacted the film's overall:

• Unclear: The mysterious event that causes people to commit suicide is never fully explained, which frustrated many critics and viewers. This lack of clarity made it difficult for audiences to connect with the characters and the story.
  
  
• Unrealistic behavior: The characters' reactions to the mysterious event were often unrealistic and illogical. This made it difficult for audiences to suspend their disbelief and engage with the film on an emotional level.
  
  
• Lack of suspense: The film's pacing is slow and the scares are few and far between. This lack of suspense made it difficult for audiences to stay engaged with the film.
  
  
• Environmental message: The film's environmental message is heavy-handed and preachy. This turned off many critics and viewers, who felt that the film was more interested in delivering a message than in telling a compelling story.
  
  

Overall, the plot of The Happening is one of its weakest aspects. The unclear cause of the mysterious event, the unrealistic behavior of the characters, the lack of suspense, and the heavy-handed environmental message all contributed to the film's negative reception on Rotten Tomatoes.

Themes

The Happening explores several important themes, including environmentalism, paranoia, and the fear of the unknown. These themes are all interconnected and contribute to the film's overall message about the dangers of unchecked human activity.

The film's environmental message is particularly relevant in today's world, as we face the very real threat of climate change. The Happening shows us what can happen when we ignore the warnings of scientists and continue to pollute our planet. The film's depiction of a world ravaged by environmental disaster is a cautionary tale that we should all take to heart.

The film also explores the themes of paranoia and the fear of the unknown. The characters in the film are constantly on edge, afraid of what might happen next. This fear is palpable, and it creates a sense of suspense and dread that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

The Happening is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores important themes that are relevant to our world today. The film's message about the dangers of unchecked human activity is a cautionary tale that we should all take to heart.

FAQs about Rotten Tomatoes

Rotten Tomatoes is a popular website that aggregates reviews from film critics and calculates a consensus on whether a film is good or bad. The Happening is a 2008 science fiction horror film directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It received a Rotten Tomatoes score of 18%, indicating that only 18% of critics gave the film a positive review.

Question 1: Why did The Happening receive such negative reviews?

Answer: Critics criticized The Happening for its nonsensical plot, wooden acting, and lack of suspense. Some also found the film's message about environmentalism to be heavy-handed and preachy.

Question 2: Despite its negative reviews, The Happening was a commercial success. Why?

Answer: The Happening was a commercial success due to its star power, intriguing premise, and effective marketing campaign.

Question 3: What are the main themes explored in The Happening?

Answer: The Happening explores themes such as environmentalism, paranoia, and the fear of the unknown.

Question 4: Who are the main actors in The Happening?

Answer: The main actors in The Happening are Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, and John Leguizamo.

Question 5: Who directed The Happening?

Answer: The Happening was directed by M. Night Shyamalan, who is known for his other films such as The Sixth Sense and Signs.

Question 6: What is the Rotten Tomatoes score for The Happening?

Answer: The Rotten Tomatoes score for The Happening is 18%.

The Happening is a controversial film that has received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Despite its negative reviews, the film was a commercial success. The film explores important themes such as environmentalism, paranoia, and the fear of the unknown.

Rotten Tomatoes

Rotten Tomatoes is a popular website that aggregates reviews from film critics and calculates a consensus on whether a film is good or bad. The Happening is a 2008 science fiction horror film directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It received a Rotten Tomatoes score of 18%, indicating that only 18% of critics gave the film a positive review.

The critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes is that The Happening is a poorly made film with a nonsensical plot, wooden acting, and lack of suspense. However, the film was a commercial success, grossing over $163 million worldwide. This is likely due to the film's star power, intriguing premise, and effective marketing campaign.

Despite its negative reviews, The Happening is a film that is worth watching for fans of M. Night Shyamalan's work. It is a suspenseful and thought-provoking film that explores important themes such as environmentalism, paranoia, and the fear of the unknown.

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