The graphic M. Night Shyamalan thriller now on Netflix

M. Night Shyamalan made The Sixth Sense in 1999. The film is still hailed for having one of the greatest twist endings in Hollywood. But since then, Shyamalan hasn’t been able to live up to the hype when it comes to delivering satisfactory conclusions to most of his stories.

Nonetheless, Shyamalan’s films are vastly enjoyable because of their zaniness and overall suspenseful ambience. One of his recent films, the sci-fi horror Old (2021), has recently claimed the seventh spot on Netflix’s top ten film list worldwide, accumulating a staggering 10million hours viewed. It has secured a position in the top ten films chart in 21 countries as well.

Old boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Gael García Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Rufus Sewell, Alex Wolff, Thomasin McKenzie, Abbey Lee, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Ken Leung, and more. Shyamalan, known for his penchant for unexpected twists, brings his signature style to Old.

The storyline of Old revolves around a group of vacationers who find themselves on a mysterious and secluded beach that causes them to age rapidly, living a lifetime in just a matter of hours. As they grapple with the terrifying reality of their accelerated ageing, the characters must confront their deepest fears and unravel the mysteries of the enigmatic beach in order to survive.

Given the unique nature of time in the film, the makers of Old had to be mindful of everything from daylight to tides in order to shoot the movie seamlessly. Shyamalan told Variety how they did the whole thing, “We’d shoot the beginning in the morning, the middle of the script in the middle of the day, and the end of the script at the end of the day, every day,” Shyamalan continued. “So we would jump 30 pages, jump 30 pages and shoot it so that the sun was in the right place to create this feeling of a single day.”

Critics have lauded Old for its inventive premise, atmospheric tension, and the performances of the cast. And it seems Shyamalan’s ability to weave a compelling narrative has resonated with audiences once again.

You can watch Old on Netflix and catch the trailer here: