The Happening

The Happening is a 2008 science fiction thriller film produced, written, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It stars Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo, and Betty Buckley. The story revolves around an inexplicable natural disaster causing mass suicides. The Happening premiered in New York City on June 10, 2008, and was theatrically released in the United States by 20th Century Fox on June 13. It was a box-office success, grossing $163 million worldwide against a budget of up to $60 million. The film received negative reviews upon release, with criticism of its acting, characters, writing, and Shyamalan's direction. However, it earned some reappraisal by those who viewed it as a "B movie", as Shyamalan intended, noting its usage of classic tropes.