OLD

OLD (2021). Director: M. Night Shyamalan. Based on the graphic novel Sandcastle.

A group of tourists, most of whom have personal issues of one sort or another, are directed by the resort manager to a strange, if beautiful, private beach and nature preserve. The tourists include Prisca (Vicky Krieps), her husband Guy (Gael Garcia Bernal), and their very young children, Trent and Maddox (played by varying actors). Other people on this beach include a rapper named "Mid-Sized Sedan," whose real name is Brendon (Aaron Pierre); a mentally-disturbed doctor named Charles (Rufus Sewell) and his wife, Chrystal (Abbey Lee); and others. The group eventually discover that not only are they unable to get off of the beach without blacking out, but that they are all aging approximately one year for each half hour they spend in the area. Before long, Prisca and Guy's children are confused teenagers. And things get worse ... 

Rufus Sewell as the doctor

Movies by M. Night Shyamalan fall into two categories. Either they really stink, a complete waste of time, or they work. Old works -- at least it did for me. Thanks to some very good acting, direction, camera work and music, Old builds in horror and intensity until it etches a mesmerizing and chilling  portrait of absolute despair. These poor people are psychologically and physically tortured, and nothing whatsoever makes sense as far as they're concerned. Although the premise could have been left without a real solution, the Twilight Zone-approach, and that still would have made for an effective movie, Old does offer an explanation for the terrible events, albeit a far-fetched (if satisfying) explanation. (I think Old's viewers would have liked to see the perpetrators receive a more just and dreadful punishment, but at least things don't go well for these self-justifying monsters.) There's a large cast in this -- including the director himself as the hotel van driver --  and all acquit themselves nicely. 

Verdict: Worthwhile horror film with a very creepy and disturbing premise. ***