Old (2021)★★★★☆

(Apologies, probably lots of spoilers for this one) It’s hard to really talk about this one without spoiling it, but I want to talk about it, so I guess I’m going to spoil it?

I found this to be a compelling story, well told and well paced. I learned afterwards that it’s based on a graphic novel called Sandcastle that M. Night Shyamalan adapted into this movie.

I’m interested in checking out this graphic novel now! I’m curious how true to the original the movie was. Actually, one review I saw of the graphic novel was that it included too much “unnecessary sex,” so I can at least attest to that not being the case in the film (sorry if that might have been a draw for you?).

I think what makes this particularly interesting is that there’s not really a “twist” to this story. There’s a reveal, where you finally learn a bit more about why the characters find themselves in the situation they’re in, but I wouldn’t really call it a twist (and in fact there’s a decent bit of foreshadowing before the reveal).

I found the characters compelling, especially the kids who find themselves growing up at a rapid rate. Some of the ways the kids describe what’s happening internally was really relatable and interesting!

I almost wish they could have done a bit more at the end. The comment about how the kids’ aunt was handling things at the end opened up a new world that we don’t get to see explored. I would have loved to see how they relate to Idlib going forward. And I guess I would have been interested in hearing more about previous test groups and things. I don’t know, I just know it’s rare for me to feel like there wasn’t ENOUGH back story in a film, especially one close to two hours long, and yet…

So yeah, I’d recommend this. I think it’s a great addition to M. Night Shyamalan’s repertoire.