The Happening

This is probably one of the most original films of 2008, and in spite of bad reviews; the film is still quite unique and different than what the general public is use to.

The film was directed by M Night Shyamalan. And although critics attacked the film harshly; The Happening is as Kafkaesque and Rod Serling as films get.

The film stars Mark Wahlberg as Elliot Moore; Zooey Deschanel as his wife Alma Moore; and Ashyn Sanchez as Julian's (John Lequizano who dies early in the film) daughter Jess.

One day in Central Park, all of a sudden people start committing suicide. First people become disoriented, then confused, and finally they take their lives. Fresh from the September-11 episode; the USA immediately thinks these happenings are the result of bio-terrorism.

Elliot (Wahlberg), his wife, Julian, and Jess all decide to leave Philadelphia by train. Shortly after, Philadelphia is getting reports of the same happenings taking place. Julian looses contact with his wife and suspects she's become a victim of the epidemic. Julian hitches a ride with four people bound for Jersey were his wife is supposedly at, however; the four people become victims of the epidemic and Julian joins them by slashing his wrists.

Now an orphan, Jess has no choice but to go with Alma and Elliot.

Fear is now rampant amongst everyone. A group of people of whom Alma, Elliot, and Jess are a part of, eventually start committing suicide as well.

Finally Elliot becomes aware of something taking place in the plant life; it seems as if plants are responsible for the events taking place by releasing toxins in the air which daze people off into an eventual suicide.

They seek refuge but soon realize an empty house is actually a model home were everything is actually fake (probably the most Kafkaesque/Serling moment in the film); oranges are fake, food is fake, and so is a plant in the middle of a room. A violent misunderstanding takes the lives of two young adults leaving Alma, Elliot, and Jess to fetch for themselves.

A strange lady takes Alma, Elliot, and Jess in but eventually becomes infected herself and takes her own live.

The events which took place end just a day after they begun. And everyone's life is back to normal. Alma and Elliot decide to adopt Jess and make her their own. Alma realizes that she's with child and surprises Elliot.

The movie ends with what seems to be the same event taking place now--expect it's in Paris this time....