Synopsis:
This summer, visionary filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan unveils a chilling, mysterious new thriller about a family on a tropical holiday who discover that the secluded beach where they are relaxing for a few hours is somehow causing them to age rapidly … reducing their entire lives into a single day.
There is a multitude of things that we can’t get back once they’re gone, but time is the most important. No matter what we do or how hard we try to hold on, time is an unforgiving and unstoppable force. It takes lives, crumbles buildings, and will outlast us all. You can wear it on your wrist, carry it in your pocket, and hang it on your wall but no matter how you showcase it, you can never hold it. Time is both the most precious thing we have and the most destructive concept to exist. Enjoy it while you can.
“I don’t feel the same. It’s like my mind is changing too.”
Just when you thought life didn’t have enough twists, M. Night Shyamalan returns and presents us with Old. The mystery thriller is suspenseful, thought-provoking, and unusual. And I mean unusual in the best of ways. Starting with a beautiful setting, the film puts you in a relaxed state of mind as you get ready for a tropical vacation with the Capa family. Things quickly take a slightly dark turn as we find out that the family has secrets that will change their family dynamic forever. Paired with the sandy beaches, lush landscape, and clear ocean water is an ominous tone that rapidly builds with each scene. After being told about an exclusive private beach, the Capa’s are grouped with other families and taken to the secret paradise. Not long after being there, a body floats ashore and what began as a pleasant getaway, is now a dangerous state of affairs. It takes only a few hours for everyone to then realize time is moving differently on this beach. After a few failed attempts, they also come to notice that there is no way to escape. At every turn and realization, the situation becomes increasingly more distressing and possibly fatal. The kids are quickly becoming adults, so you know what that means for those who have already passed their prime.
No one is safe and no one can outrun time. The only options are to somehow figure out a way off the beach or wither and die. The biggest question is, how is this happening and why is it happening to them? With plenty of unpredictable wild happenings, a twist that I didn’t see coming, and a cameo by Shyamalan himself, this film is a lot of fun. There are plenty of philosophical and metaphorical aspects to take away from this story. Whether it’s appreciating the time you, your children growing up fast, not worrying about what others are doing, or simply loving your life and those in it, this film is more than it appears to be. There’s another aspect of the film that I wish I could talk about but it would give the twist away. Based on the graphic novel Sandcastle by Pierre Oscar Lévy and Frederik Peeters, I really enjoyed Old. There are some cool shots, a chilling score, and tons of chaos, it’s definitely worth a watch. I feel that this is a film that will have a split reaction. You will either love it and all that it offers or feel that it is ridiculous and hate it. Either way, its rewatchability is high.
Pacing & Pop
The thrilling and suspenseful pacing of Old keeps you guessing and glued to the screen the entire time. What popped the most for me was the twist, which I won’t give away, and the unplanned and unexpected baby scene… you’ll see.
Characters & Chemistry
While I think this diverse ensemble cast was good together, there were no true standout performances. There are however a few characters that do make an impact. First, there is Mid-Sized Sedan (Aaron Pierre) who is one of the most mysterious and standoffish characters. It’s never blatantly apparent why he tends to keep his distance, but as a black man myself, I completely understand why. His name is also rather hilarious but when you see his stature, you understand why the name fits. Next, there is the tense cardiothoracic surgeon, Charles (Rufus Sewell). Covertly dealing with his own issues, he may also have some racial biases. Lastly, there is the son of the family that we get introduced to first, Trent (Nolan River/Alex Wolff). He goes through some of the most dynamic changes mentally and physically but still keeps his childlike wonderment.
Old releases in theaters on July 23, 2021. Stay safe and enjoy.
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Writer: M. Night Shyamalan, Based on the graphic novel Sandcastle by Pierre Oscar Lévy
and Frederik Peeters
Producers: Marc Bienstock, Ashwin Rajan, M. Night Shyamalan
Executive Producer: Steven Schneider
Rated: R
Runtime: 1h 48m
Rating: 4 out 5