Critical and Audiences' Reception of M Night Shyamalan's 'Old'

Released in 2022, Old by M Night Shyamalan, has garnered a mixed response from both critics and audiences. This article examines the critical reception, audience feedback, and compares Old to some of Shyamalan's earlier works, Sixth Sense and Signs.

Critical Reception

From the critical standpoint, Old received varying opinions. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a score of around 50, indicating a split opinion. Some critics praised its intriguing premise and Shyamalan's unique storytelling style.

However, others criticized the film for its uneven pacing, dialogue, and character development. Many noted that while it had interesting themes, it didn't fully deliver on its potential. For instance, in a review by James Berardinelli, he mentioned that the movie had "interesting themes," but the execution was "a bit uneven."

Specific aspects of the film that drew mixed responses include the pacing and character development. Some critics noted that the plot moved at a consistent pace, while others found it lagged in certain sections. Similarly, while the dialogue was well written, critics felt that the character development lacked depth, especially compared to Shyamalan's earlier works.

Audiences' Reactions

On the audience front, the feedback was more favorable. According to Box Office Mojo's CinemaScore, Old received a grade of B, suggesting that viewers found it entertaining despite its flaws.

Many audience members enjoyed the film's suspenseful elements and Shyamalan's characteristic twists. However, some noted that the twists were not as surprising as those in his earlier works, such as Sixth Sense. David, a film enthusiast, commented, "While the plot had an intriguing premise, the twists didn't pack the same punch as Shyamalan's early movies. It was entertaining, but not as impactful."

Comparison to Earlier Works

The comparison between Old and Shyamalan's earlier successes, such as Sixth Sense and Signs, reveals a clear divide in the director's recent output. Gonzalo from IMDb shared, "Old was interesting, but I wouldn't say it's as good as Sixth Sense or Signs. Those films were Shyamalan in his prime, while this one feels like a step back."

Shyamalan's earlier works are celebrated for their thought-provoking themes, memorable twists, and compelling narratives. Participants in the discussion mostly agreed that while Old had some positive aspects, it didn't meet the standards set by his earlier films. Some mentioned that the movie explored themes such as aging, trauma, and ethics, but the execution fell short of truly surprising or impacting.

Shyamalan, known for his ability to create unique, suspenseful, and mentally stimulating films, faced a challenge in Old to maintain the high bar set by the likes of Sixth Sense and Signs. Despite this, the film still stood out for its intriguing premise and suspenseful elements, albeit not delivering on the expected level of quality and surprise.

Conclusion

While some found Old to be a mixed bag, it still offers a thought-provoking narrative with elements that might resonate with viewers on a different level. Though not as impactful as his earlier works, Old remains an engaging and suspenseful film, albeit one that doesn't quite hit the mark of his prime performances.