Friday Film Noir
The Village (2004) is a mystery thriller written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The story is set in a secluded 19th-century village governed by a group of elders, including Edward Walker (William Hurt), who enforce strict rules to protect the community from dangerous creatures believed to inhabit the surrounding woods. Life in the village is shaped by fear and ritual, until tensions rise following violent incidents involving Lucius Hunt (Joaquin Phoenix), a young man determined to challenge the boundaries that confine them. As fear spreads and authority is tested, Ivy Walker (Bryce Dallas Howard), Edward’s blind daughter, becomes central to the village’s survival. The presence of Noah Percy (Adrien Brody), whose unpredictable behavior unsettles the fragile order, further complicates efforts to maintain control as the story moves toward a decisive reckoning.
Filming took place in rural Pennsylvania, where large portions of the village were constructed from scratch in open farmland rather than on soundstages. Production designer Tom Foden built dozens of working structures, including homes, watchtowers, and meeting spaces, allowing scenes to be staged with long, uninterrupted movement. Bryce Dallas Howard was cast without a traditional audition after Shyamalan saw her perform on stage, marking her first major film role. Joaquin Phoenix spent time learning period-appropriate physical habits to ground his performance within the village’s rigid structure. William Hurt worked closely with Shyamalan to define the leadership dynamics among the village elders. Adrien Brody’s role required extensive physical preparation to maintain consistency across long shooting days. At the Oscars, The Village received one nomination: Best Original Score for James Newton Howard.
