M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening is Terrible, but the Perfect Christmas Movie It's that time of year again - the leaves have fallen, the temperatures have dropped, and the chill of winter is in the air. As the holiday season approaches, movie fans everywhere are debating the true Christmas classics. While titles like "Elf," "Home Alone," and "A Christmas Story" are undisputed winners, there's one cinematic oddity that deserves a spot in the pantheon of festive films: M. Night Shyamalan's 2008 thriller, "The Happening." On the surface, "The Happening" seems like an odd choice for a Christmas movie. Set during a warm, sunny summer, the film follows a group of Philadelphians as they attempt to flee an unexplained and deadly threat sweeping across the Northeastern United States. However, the movie's sheer ridiculousness, combined with its holiday release date, make it the perfect choice for a tongue-in-cheek Christmas viewing party. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, "The Happening" was not well-received upon its initial release. Critics lambasted the film's illogical plot, wooden acting, and Shyamalan's heavy-handed environmental messaging. Roger Ebert famously called it "an utterly serious movie about a world in which plants attack people." Even the film's stars, including Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel, have since expressed their disdain for the project. Despite its poor reviews, "The Happening" found a second life as a cult classic, with fans embracing its unintentional comedy and bizarre plot twists. And the film's December 2008 release date, just in time for the holidays, adds an extra layer of festive absurdity to the viewing experience. Imagine gathering a group of friends, snuggling up with some hot cocoa and Christmas cookies, and watching as Wahlberg's character, Elliot Moore, attempts to outrun a mysterious, invisible threat that causes people to suddenly and inexplicably commit suicide. The juxtaposition of the film's tense, apocalyptic tone with the cozy, festive trappings of the holiday season is part of what makes "The Happening" such a delightfully bizarre choice for a Christmas movie. But the film's entertainment value goes beyond just its seasonal setting. "The Happening" is a true "so bad, it's good" cinematic experience, with moments of unintentional hilarity that are tailor-made for group viewing and enthusiastic commentary. From the unconvincing scenes of mass panic to the painfully awkward dialogue, the movie provides ample opportunities for the audience to poke fun and engage in the kind of communal mockery that makes cult classics so much fun. One of the most memorable examples is the film's climactic sequence, in which Wahlberg's character hides from the threat by lying down in a field of grass. As the wind blows the grass, Wahlberg delivers a line that has become the stuff of legend: "This is happening. This is happening." The sheer absurdity of the moment, combined with Wahlberg's deadpan delivery, has cemented "The Happening" as a must-see for fans of so-bad-it's-good cinema. But beyond the film's comedic value, "The Happening" also serves as a fascinating case study in the evolution of M. Night Shyamalan's career. Once hailed as the next great American filmmaker, Shyamalan's reputation has taken a considerable hit in the years since the release of "The Happening." The film's critical and commercial failure marked a turning point in the director's career, as audiences and critics began to question his ability to deliver the kind of high-concept, twist-laden thrillers that had made him famous. In the years since, Shyamalan has continued to experiment with different genres and styles, with varying degrees of success. His 2016 film "Split" was a surprise hit, while his 2019 sequel "Glass" received a more mixed reception. But "The Happening" remains a lightning rod for discussion and debate, a movie that both encapsulates Shyamalan's strengths and weaknesses as a filmmaker. Ultimately, "The Happening" is a movie that defies easy categorization. It's not a Christmas classic in the traditional sense, but its holiday release date and tongue-in-cheek appeal make it a perfect choice for a festive viewing party. Whether you're a die-hard fan of Shyamalan's work or simply a lover of so-bad-it's-good cinema, "The Happening" is a movie that deserves a spot on your holiday watchlist. So gather your friends, pour a mug of eggnog, and prepare to be delighted and bewildered by one of the most hilariously terrible films of the modern era.