The Village (2004)

Detailed Summary

The Isolated Community

Set in a 19th-century Pennsylvania village, “The Village” introduces us to an isolated community living under strict rules to avoid creatures they believe inhabit the surrounding woods. The villagers maintain a truce with these mysterious beings, marked by their fear of the color red, which is believed to attract the creatures.

Lucius’ Desire to Leave

Lucius Hunt (Joaquin Phoenix), a curious and brave young man, wishes to venture beyond the village boundaries to seek medical supplies for the ill. His request is denied by the village elders, who fear breaking the truce with the creatures in the woods.

The Forbidden Love

Ivy Walker (Bryce Dallas Howard), the blind daughter of the village leader, falls in love with Lucius. Their love is pure and intense, but their happiness is short-lived. Noah Percy (Adrien Brody), a mentally challenged villager who also has feelings for Ivy, becomes jealous and stabs Lucius in a fit of rage.

Ivy’s Journey to the Towns

With Lucius gravely injured, Ivy pleads with her father, Edward Walker (William Hurt), to allow her to venture beyond the woods to find medicine. He reluctantly agrees, revealing a secret that the creatures are not real but a fabrication by the elders to keep the villagers from leaving. However, Edward does not tell Ivy, who believes the creatures are real, and she sets out on a perilous journey.

The Truth Revealed

During her journey, Ivy encounters one of the “creatures,” which she ultimately defeats, revealing it to be Noah Percy in disguise. She continues her journey and eventually reaches a modern road, where a park ranger helps her obtain the needed medicine, unknowingly allowing her to maintain her belief in the village’s isolation.

Movie Ending

Ivy returns to the village with the medicine, saving Lucius. The elders agree to continue the deception, maintaining the myth of the creatures to keep the village isolated from the modern world. The movie ends with the elders reaffirming their commitment to the village’s way of life, despite the moral implications of their deception.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, “The Village” does not have any post-credits scenes.

Type of Movie

“The Village” is a psychological thriller with elements of horror and drama. It explores themes of fear, control, and the consequences of deception.

Cast

• Joaquin Phoenix as Lucius Hunt
• Bryce Dallas Howard as Ivy Walker
• Adrien Brody as Noah Percy
• William Hurt as Edward Walker
• Sigourney Weaver as Alice Hunt
• Brendan Gleeson as August Nicholson
• Cherry Jones as Mrs. Clack

Film Music and Composer

The haunting and evocative score was composed by James Newton Howard. The violin solos performed by Hilary Hahn are particularly memorable, enhancing the film’s eerie and tense atmosphere.

Filming Locations

• Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania: The movie was filmed in a constructed village within this rural area, enhancing the authenticity and isolated feel of the setting.
• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area: Some of the forest scenes were shot here, emphasizing the dense, foreboding nature of the woods surrounding the village.

The locations were crucial in creating the film’s suspenseful and claustrophobic atmosphere.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Original Score (James Newton Howard).
• Saturn Awards: Nominated for Best Horror Film and Best Supporting Actress (Bryce Dallas Howard).

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The production team constructed the entire village set specifically for the film, meticulously crafting an authentic 19th-century community.
• M. Night Shyamalan revealed that the film’s plot twist was inspired by his fear of how fear itself can be used as a tool for control.
• M. Night Shyamalan cast Bryce Dallas Howard as Ivy Walker after her debut theater performance left a strong impression on him.

Inspirations and References

• Historical Influence: The concept of isolated communities and the fear of the unknown draws on historical examples of secluded societies.
• Literary Influence: The film’s themes echo elements of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” and Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” both dealing with the consequences of societal control and fear.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While alternate endings aren’t widely known, a few deleted scenes showcase extended interactions between the villagers, offering a deeper insight into their fears and relationships.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film is an original story written by M. Night Shyamalan and is not based on a book. However, it shares thematic elements with works of literature that explore isolation and the manipulation of fear.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Lucius’ Proposal: The emotional moment when Lucius silently confesses his love for Ivy by holding her hand.
• Ivy’s Journey Through the Woods: Ivy’s tense and courageous trek through the woods, blind and vulnerable, yet determined.
• The Final Revelation: The shocking twist when it’s revealed that the creatures are fabricated and the village is set in the present day.

Iconic Quotes

• “The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe.” – Edward Walker
• “Sometimes we don’t do things we want to do so that others will not know we want to do them.” – Lucius Hunt
• “You have made us proud. You returned with the medicine. You have saved the day.” – Edward Walker

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The film subtly uses the color red to symbolize danger, often foreshadowing key moments.
• The names of the elders hint at their past lives, with surnames like Walker and Hunt symbolizing leadership and protectiveness.

Trivia

• Bryce Dallas Howard’s role as Ivy was her first leading role in a feature film.
• M. Night Shyamalan makes a brief cameo as the guard at the ranger station, as he often does in his films.
• The film’s marketing campaign focused heavily on the horror elements, leading to some disappointment when audiences discovered it was more of a psychological thriller.

Why Watch?

“The Village” is a thought-provoking film that blends suspense with deeper philosophical questions about fear, control, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their way of life. The performances, particularly Bryce Dallas Howard’s, and the atmospheric score make it a memorable experience.

Director’s Other Movies

• The Sixth Sense (1999)
• Unbreakable (2000)
• Signs (2002)
• Lady in the Water (2006)
• Split (2016)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Others (2001)
• The Witch (2015)
• The Babadook (2014)
• The Crucible (1996)
• The Blair Witch Project (1999)