M. Night Shyamalan was riding high after The Sixth Sense, and his follow-ups Unbreakable and Signs only solidified his reputation as a modern master of suspense. Those two films together grossed around $800 million worldwide, and audiences couldn't wait to see what he'd do next. But when The Village arrived in 2004, it sparked a very different reaction. Critics were split, and for the first time in his career, the reviews leaned negative. Now, two decades later, the film has found a devoted cult following, and this month, it's getting a fresh chance to reach new viewers as it lands on Peacock.
Set in a secluded 19th-century community surrounded by a forest rumored to harbor creatures, The Village tells the story of a blind young woman named Ivy, played by Bryce Dallas Howard in her breakout role. The ensemble cast is a who's who of talent, including Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Brendan Gleeson, and a young Jesse Eisenberg. Despite the mixed critical reception, the film was a box office success, pulling in over $250 million worldwide against a reported $60 million budget. It kept Shyamalan's commercial winning streak alive, at least for a little while longer.
The film's reputation has undergone a notable reassessment in recent years. While it still holds a 43% score on Rotten Tomatoes, many viewers have come to appreciate its atmospheric tension and emotional core. The late critic Roger Ebert, however, was not among them. He famously gave the film one star, calling it "a colossal miscalculation" and taking particular issue with the twist ending. "To call it an anticlimax would be an insult not only to climaxes but to prefixes," he wrote. That twist, which some saw as a gimmick, has since been re-evaluated by a new generation of fans who see it as a poignant commentary on fear and isolation.
Shyamalan's career took a few more hits in the years that followed, with Lady in the Water, The Happening, The Last Airbender, and After Earth all failing to recapture his early magic. But he eventually rebuilt his reputation with a string of successful thrillers, proving that even a director once written off can find a second act. For those who haven't seen The Village or want to revisit it, the film is now available to stream on Peacock. It's a chance to see a polarizing chapter in Shyamalan's filmography with fresh eyes.
If you're in the mood for more Shyamalan, you might also want to check out his other divisive thriller, which recently left Peacock. And for those who enjoy a good anthology, Night Gallery offers a darker take on the genre that might appeal to fans of Shyamalan's twisty storytelling.
As streaming continues to give older films new life, The Village stands as a testament to how a movie's legacy can evolve over time. Whether you're a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, now is the perfect moment to see what all the debate was about. Head over to Peacock and decide for yourself if this is a misunderstood gem or a misstep from a filmmaker who was still finding his footing.
