Master of surprise endings M. Night Shyamalan is set to return to the big screen with upcoming thriller Old, starring Gael García Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Alex Wolff and Thomasin McKenzie.
The teaser trailer made its debut during the Super Bowl telecast on Sunday night. It will also leave its mark as one of the first films shot following the outbreak of COVID-19.
Whilst the trailer is only 30 seconds, it is packed with tension and mystery. As it begins, we see, what appears to be, an ordinary happy family. However, the ominous music looming over the scene indicates something is about to go awry. After arriving at the beach, the parents discover their children and others around them are ageing rapidly.
In an interview for EW, Shyamalan confirmed that this film is an adaptation of the graphic novel Sandcastle by Pierre Oscar Lévy and Frederik Peeters. “I read it, and the premise was so powerful, of these people that went to this beach and their experience that happens on that day in the beach… I thought it was very frightening and emotional, and the ideas just started coming.”
Old boasts a cast of both established and up-and-coming actors: Gael García Bernal, Eliza Scanlen, Thomasin McKenzie, Aaron Pierre, Alex Wolff, Vicky Krieps, Abbey Lee, Embeth Davidtz, Rufus Sewell, Ken Leung, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Emun Elliott and Nolan River. Ashwin Rajan and Marc Bienstock co-produced the film alongside Shyamalan, with Steven Schneider serving as executive producer.
Critics and the general public seem to either love or loathe Shyamalan’s films. While The Sixth Sense became a suprise hit with six Oscars nominations, critics worldwide panned films such as The Happening and The Last Airbender.
Will his latest film be a return of the filmmaker once hailed as ‘the next Spielberg’ by Newsweek? Right now, it’s too early to say. But as more details emerge, we’ll soon discover whether old Shyamalan cinematic magic will grace our screens once again.
Old is currently set to be released in the UK on 23 July, 2021.
Words by Katie Heyes
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