Key Takeaways:
– M. Night Shyamalan, known for his plot twists, has maintained a presence in Hollywood despite inconsistent filmography.
– His 16th movie, ‘Trap,’ has recently been released and we’re looking at the ranking of his movies in light of this.
– ‘The Last Airbender’ and ‘After Earth’ rank the lowest while ‘Unbreakable’ takes the top spot.
Unleashing Shyamalan’s Mystery Thrillers
Renowned film director M. Night Shyamalan’s film journey can be likened to a rollercoaster ride. From being touted as the successor to Steven Spielberg to facing backlash for a string of subpar movies, Shyamalan’s career has seen significant highs and lows. His recent offering, ‘Trap,’ marks the 16th film in his notable Hollywood tenure. Here, we take a close look at the dashboard of his movies, listing the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The Descent
16. ‘The Last Airbender’ (2010): Shyamalan’s unraveling began with one of the most disheartening blockbusters. His take on the series left audiences knowingly disappointed with mediocre visuals and acting.
15. ‘After Earth’ (2013): This film felt removed from Shyamalan’s creative niche, acting as a mere director-for-hire gig. A weak narrative seemingly placed more blame on Will Smith than Shyamalan.
14. ‘Wide Awake’ (1998): This comedy seemed forced, lacking the usual Shyamalan flair. It was overly saccharine and at the same time, quite tedious.
13. ‘The Happening’ (2008): The film failed to make a significant impact despite the promising premise. Lousy casting and unnecessary exposition marred a potentially thrilling narrative.
The Lows
12. ‘Lady in the Water’ (2006): While creative, this film failed to hit the mark with a narrative that collapsed on itself, leaving viewers baffled by the intentions behind it.
11. ‘Praying with Anger’ (1992): His debut film showed promising signs of raw emotion, but its execution lacked impressive visuals and compelling performances.
10. ‘Glass’ (2019): Unfortunately, the much-anticipated sequel to ‘Unbreakable’ failed to live up to the hype, partially due to illogical writing and a confusing plot structure.
Road to Redemption
9. ‘Trap’ (2024): Josh Harnett’s excellent performance tried to save ‘Trap,’ but the overly long third act ruined an otherwise great narrative.
8. ‘Old’ (2021): Despite memes about its concept, ‘Old’ provided viewers with a compelling story about humanity and corporate greed.
7. ‘Knock at the Cabin’ (2023): Last year’s hit showcased Shyamalan’s creative prowess, creating a tense thriller filled with heartwrenching moments.
6. ‘Split’ (2016): Powered by James McAvoy’s stunning performance, ‘Split’ showed a return to form for Shyamalan despite its indulgence in some junk science.
Behind the Curtains of Brilliance
5. ‘The Visit’ (2015): This film cleverly used the found footage technique to create a chilling narrative, proving that Shyamalan could indeed adapt to different mediums.
4. ‘The Village’ (2004): Despite a convoluted ending and a dubious performance by Adrian Brody, the film upheld Shyamalan’s reputation as a tantalizing storyteller with its fantastic ensemble and stunning visuals.
3. ‘Signs’ (2002): Shymalan’s intelligent combination of tense horror and profound philosophy made ‘Signs’ one of his most sincere films.
The True Gems
2. ‘The Sixth Sense’ (1999): Shyamalan’s breakthrough film garnered wide acclaim for its exceptional writing, superior direction, and the memorable performances of Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, and Toni Collette.
1. ‘Unbreakable’ (2000): Standing unbeaten at the top, ‘Unbreakable’ showcased Shyamalan’s cinematic brilliance, cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s most creative storytellers.
Shyamalan’s film saga continues with ‘Trap’ in theaters now, and in true Shyamalan style, we expect more twists and turns in the bigger picture of his career. Stay tuned for more exciting updates in the entertainment world from Project Casting.
