Yeah, I say this is a fine return to form for M. Night Shyamalan. It’s smaller, more focused, and is reminiscent of his earlier (and better) films.
The film takes the found footage approach as we follow Becca (Olivia DeJonge) and her younger brother, Tyler (Ed Oxenbould) as they spend a week with their grandparents in the country. Only able to communicate with their vacation bound mother (Kathryn Hahn) via Skype, they slowly discover that their grandparents are a little too odd for comfort.
Yes, there is a twist in this film in case you’re wondering, and I won’t spoil it. All I have to say is that the twist is actually clever and plausible. It’s not contrived (or absurd) like the twists in some of his other films have been. The two kids playing Becca and Tyler make for convincing siblings because there’s solid banter between them. They aren’t overly annoying either, but you might find yourself hating the Tyler kid if you’re not into rap music. Deanna Dunagan and Peter McRobbie are delightfully creepy as the grandparents. They really make the film as their idiosyncrasies become a reason for concern. The found footage approach works in favor of the film because Becca is making a documentary about her grandparents as a way to mend the broken relationship between them and her mother. Tonally, the film has the right balance of horror and comedy, and the dialogue isn’t hokey or laughably bad like it’s been in previous Shyamalan films.
Overall, it’s a long awaited return to form for Shyamalan and I recommend it. I’ve never been the biggest Shyamalan fan, but this is easily his best film since Unbreakable. I’m definitely more optimistic about his future output now.
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