Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, “Sliver” premiered in 2016 and became an immediate box office success. (Credits: Max)
- After Earth
- The guests
- Fragmented
- They knock on the door
- The trap
The cinema of M. Night Shyamalan It is synonymous with surprise, suspense as well as debates between critics and followers. From his first productions, the Indian-American director managed to build a distinctive style, marked by his unexpected narrative turns and his ability to transform everyday situations into scenarios of extreme tension.
Over the last few years, Shyamalan forged a filmography as diverse as it was controversial, and in the catalog of Max We can find a wide variety of movies. From the underrated The guests until The traphis most recent film with Josh Harnetttoday in Damn Nerds We explore the work of the director present at the service of streaming.
After Earth (After Earth, 2013)
One of the first films of M. Night Shyamalan that we can find in the catalog of Max es After Earthan ambitious project that starts from an idea by the actor Will Smithwho also produces it and stars alongside his son, Jaden Smith.
This epic science fiction story, which was intended to found a franchise that was not, imagines a future where Earth has been abandoned and humans live on another planet. Its plot follows a young man who must survive alone in a hostile environment after his spaceship suffers an accident. Although After Earth did not receive the same reception as other works by Shyamalanis an interesting look at resilience and the bond between father and son.
In addition to the Smiththe cast of the post-apocalyptic drama was completed with figures such as Zoe Kravitz, David Denman e Isabelle Fuhrman.
The Guests (The Visit, 2015)
Shortly after the movie with Will Smith, Shyamalan returns to his roots with The guestsa minimalist suspense story with touches of dark comedy. The story follows two brothers who go to visit their grandparents, only to discover that something strange happens to them, especially during the night. With a much smaller budget than its predecessor and based on a found footage format, this project reaffirms that Shyamalan You don’t need big special effects to terrify your audience.
The guests It is effective for its simplicity and, without a doubt, for the charisma of its young protagonists, Olivia DeJonge y Ed Oxenbould. The film is also notable for its claustrophobic and tense atmosphere, which serves as a reminder that true terror is often found in the most everyday.
Anya Taylor-Joy and James McAvoy in “Splintered.” (Universal Pictures)
A third option present in Max es Fragmenteda film set in the same universe as The protected (Unbreakable2000), starring James McAvoy y Anya Taylor-Joy.
Its story follows Kevin Wendell Crumb, a man with 23 distinct personalities, some of which are up to no good. When Kevin kidnaps three girls, the plot becomes a fight for survival and, at the same time, a journey into the darkest corners of the human mind.
Fragmented was acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, largely thanks to the versatility of McAvoy to play the villain in question. The film stands out for its ability to Shyamalan to manipulate the viewer’s perception and, of course, for its unexpected ending.
Knock at the Cabin, 2023 Credits: Universal Pictures
In They knock on the door, Shyamalan It places us in an isolated cabin, where a couple and their adopted daughter live an apparently quiet getaway. Everything changes when they receive an unexpected visit from four strangers with a disconcerting mission: save the world from an apocalypse, even if this means making a sacrifice that will change everything. The film offers an exploration of faith in extreme situations. The claustrophobic atmosphere and the feeling of imminent danger are typical of Shyamalanwho once again plays with the fine line between reality and the supernatural.
Added to this is a cast with talents like those of Dave Bautista (Dune: Part Two), Rupert Grint (Harry Potter), Ben Aldridge (spoiler alert), Jonathan Groff (Hamilton) y Abby Quinn (The past that unites us).
Josh Harnett in ‘The Trap’, Shyamalan’s new film
The trap It is the most recent premiere of Shyamalan in Max. Starring by Josh Harnett (Pearl Harbor), the film introduces us to a father and his daughter as they attend a concert by the pop star of the moment to enjoy a special time together. However, the expected event is actually a trap orchestrated by the police to catch a serial killer known as the butcher. Like many of the filmmaker’s films, the plot offers an unexpected twist and, on this occasion, he will present the story to us from the perspective of the antagonist in question.
In addition to Hartnettthe cast is completed with Ariel Donoghue y Allison Pillas well as the special participation of Saleka Shyamalandaughter of the director who marks her debut in front of cameras with this production.
