A small isolated community live their lives peacefully and happily. The adults meet and pass the time whilst the children play games and run around. The community is idealistic with jovial ceremonies and religious prayers the order of the day. The community is just like many others at that time in history, however all is not how it seems. The whole village is surrounded by an imposing forest where it is forbidden for anyone to tread. The founders of the village had struck a deal with the beasts that live in the forest that both parties shall not trespass on the others land, the beasts are known as “those we don’t speak of”. If the deal is broken then the beasts shall enter the village for a reprisal. The boundary of the village is lined by glowing lanterns and a tall watchtower surveys all around. The nearest village is a great distance away therefore the inhabitants feel alone and a feeling of dread lies constantly over their heads. Noises are often heard coming from the forest but the village boundary has never been breached and it seems that the beasts are keeping to their side of the bargain.

One day Lucius without thinking of the consequences breaches the boundary and enters the forest but quickly returns to the safety of the village after hearing a twig snap. He had been spotted. The same night, for the first time in the village’s history the beasts enter the village and the alarm is raised by the guard in the watchtower. The alien sound of the bell panics the villagers who retreat indoors and avoid the grasp of the beast’s clutches.

These events concentrate Lucius’s mind on what he has rather than what lies beyond the forest. He and Ivy’s love flourishes and Noah who has a secret crush on Ivy is heartbroken. Later, Noah approaches Lucius and stabs him again and again. When Lucius is found the next morning he is barely alive and he will die unless he receives medical supplies that the village doesn’t have. The elders have a difficult choice which they haven’t faced before. Send someone to the next village for supplies to save Lucius but breaking the deal with the beasts in the process or leave Lucius to a certain death. The situation is grave but not all is what has seemed and hidden secrets will be revealed as everything past and present finally comes to the fore.

One piece of genius Shyamalan gave us in this movie was the choice of Bryce Dallas Howard as Ivy Walker. A very pretty actress with a huge presence, it is going to be interesting to see what she does next. She is certainly a possible A-lister in the making. Joaquim Phoenix who also starred in ‘Signs’ did his usual competent job as the quiet, unassuming, handsome male lead. He was steady and effective without being outstanding, I would have liked a little more passion from him at times. I’ve read a lot about Adrien Brody’s performance, nearly all of it complimentary but personally I found his role as the retard Noah more than a little annoying. His jester figure, complete with laughs and facial expressions was overacted from where I was sitting and It lacked authenticity. Sigourney Weaver, Brendan Gleeson and William Hurt added some steel as the chief elders. Overall a well assembled cast, with Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of Ron Howard the star of the show. This film could well turn out more famous for her emergence rather than the film itself.