Old movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: Old

This dramatic horror releases on July 23, 2021.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 1 hour 48 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

This unique thriller is an adaptation of a 2010 graphic novel by Pierre Oscar Levy and artist Frederik Peeters called Sandcastle.

The intriguing film is about a family on a tropical vacation 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.

Director M. Night Shyamalan explained, “The book gave me the opportunity to work through a lot of anxieties I had around death and aging, and things like my parents getting older.” Surprisingly, this is his first film to be shot on 35 mm film stock rather than being shot digitally.

The movie was filmed during the Coronavirus pandemic, so the cast and crew had to be tested for Covid each day. The film mimics the feeling of being trapped, isolated, and uncertain about the future…something we all experienced during the pandemic! Thank you to Universal Pictures for inviting me to a press screening IN THEATERS! I’ve missed that movie theater popcorn!

THINGS I LIKED:

I’m such a fan of M. Night Shyamalan and have been for many years. He’s had some fantastic movies and some that haven’t done as well, but I like supporting his work. That being said, I have very mixed feelings about this film. He is so great at building layers in his stories and filmmaking. This new horror absolutely has layers and his trademark twist at the end. I adore his no-cut camerawork and there are MANY scenes that use that effective technique in this movie. I love that he always puts himself in his movies as a minor character.
Another film technique that M. Night Shyamalan uses often in this movie is to show a conversation with two people but only a small fraction of one of the characters is actually shown in the frame.
Vicky Krieps is such a striking actress from Luxembourg. The first time I saw her in a movie was in the fascinating movie Phantom Thread.
Thomasin McKenzie is so fantastic in all of her work. I’m so impressed with this young actress and always happy to see her in new work.
There is soooo much symbolism in this film. While you’re trying to figure out what’s going on, ask yourself what are the character archetypes and what lessons can be learned from what happens to them.
One of the characters keeps asking a question about a movie. Fun fact: The movie he wants to know about that features both Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando is The Missouri Breaks
Some of the song choices had interesting insights. For example, there’s a song called I Will Remain.
VIEWING TIP: Sit as far back in the theater as you can if you’re watching it on a big screen. There are a lot of scenes that might actually make you dizzy if you’re sitting close.
Really great sound design.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

This movie is just freaky and creepy and horrifying. I wouldn’t describe the film as “enjoyable.” I could tell the audience was extremely uncomfortable during the majority of the movie. I didn’t realize it would be a full-on horror movie with all the classic gore and death. M. Night Shyamalan took some risks with this movie; some will pay off and others not.
Most of the movie, you’re wondering what the heck is going on and what is it the director really wants to say.
The audience I watched the movie with was so shell-shocked that they really loved the few humorous moments in the movie.
There is so much artistry in this movie that a lot of viewers won’t like it or understand it.
There is some poor dialogue that is frustrating.
So much screaming during the entire movie.
The ending felt very rushed.