A father, Cooper (Josh Hartnett) and his teen daughter, Riley (Ariel Donoghue) attend a pop concert lead up by singing phenomenon Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan) only to realize they've entered the center of a dark and sinister event. It appears to be that the FBI has locked down the arena in order of catching a serial killer whom they received vital tips about, so know one leaves without being vetted. It's not a spoiler to say that it's Cooper. but since his family knows nothing of his double-life, he must keep his daughter from realizing this fact. But simultaneously eluding the cops including one Dr. Josephine Grant (Hayley Mills), who is being used by the FBI as a serial killer profiler, how long can this cat-and-mouse game go on?
Others to round out the cast are Alison Pill as Rachel, Cooper's wife, Jonathan Langdon as Jamie, Marnie McPhaill as Jody's mom, Mark Bacolcol as Spenser, Kid Cudi as The Thinker, Russ as Parker Wayne and Marcia Bennett as Cooper's mom.
This was directed with grit, obscurity and slickness by M. Night Shyamalan ("Praying with Anger" '92, "Wide Awake" '98, "The Sixth Sense" '99, "Unbreakable" 2000, "Signs" '02, "The Village" '04, "Lady in the Water" '06, "The Happening" '08, "The Last Airbender" '10, "After Earth" '13, "The Visit" '15, "Split" '16, "Glass" '19, "Old" '21, "Knock at the Cabin" '23) plus TV and a music video. I actually look forward to a Shyamalan film, considering there's so many unoriginal and rehashed films out there. This filmmaker certainly has the willingness to challenge the established norm by creating original work. His films don't please all audiences, however I don't believe he tries to please all. The underlying tension of Cooper in this was intense as it was believable, and this is effective directing. It was also penned as well by M. Night Shyamalan ("Stuart Little" '99, "Devil" (story) '10, plus see resume above) plus TV. As the film unfolded, it became interesting, however I can't help but wonder if the audience didn't realize Cooper was the killer until much later in the film it might have been more effective, but after seeing the film, the film would've had to be totally rewritten to house that premise. So, considering this was not the route that Shyamalan took, it actually worked using the route he took. Really, the best thing about this film is Hartnett's performance as the serial killer. He came across as this loving family man, doting father that happens to have a problem with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). If you want to see him shine in another role, he gave a riveting performance in Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer". He truly has become the comeback kid. Of course, Shyamalan is at his usual best, and if you like his approach to filmmaking, his "Labor of Love" that he wrote and directed is in development.
Certainly if you are a Shyamalan fan, you'll revel with this new project, but even if you're not, this isn't like a lot of his films that are totally bizarre--it's a little more tamed down. In any rate, the performance by Hartnett and even that of Saleka Shyamalan, M. Night's daughter playing the role of Lady Raven was not super challenging, but she was not bad and she created and sang the songs in the film.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: PG-13 105mins.
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