The Happening 2008

The Happening is a 2008 American supernatural thriller film written, co-produced, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, that follows a man, his wife, his best friend, and his friend's daughter as they try to escape from an inexplicable natural disaster. The plot revolves around a cryptic neurotoxin that causes anyone exposed to it to commit suicide. The protagonist, a science teacher named Elliot Moore, attempts to escape from the mystery substance with his friends as hysteria grips the East Coast of the United States. It was advertised as being Shyamalan's first R-rated film, and received mostly negative reviews from film critics.
     In New York City's Central Park, people begin committing mass suicide. Initially believed to be a bio-terrorist attack using an airborne neurotoxin, the behavior quickly spreads across the northeastern United States. Elliot Moore (Mark Wahlberg), a high school science teacher in Philadelphia, hears about the attacks and decides to go to Harrisburg by train with his wife, Alma (Zooey Deschanel). They are accompanied by his friend Julian (John Leguizamo) and Julian's eight-year-old daughter Jess (Ashlyn Sanchez). Julian's wife is stuck in Philadelphia but is expected to meet them in Harrisburg. The train loses all radio contact en route and stops at a small town. They receive word that Philadelphia has been attacked and Julian's wife was not able to get on the train to Harrisburg. Julian decides to go look for her, leaving his daughter with the Moores. However, the town has already been hit by the toxin. Succumbing to it, the driver and Julian both commit suicide.
Initial release: June 11, 2008 (France)
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Screenplay: M. Night Shyamalan
Budget: 60 million USD
Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller, Horror