Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

The Village

The Village is a 2004 American period thriller film written, produced, and directed by M.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

The Village is a 2004 American period thriller film directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It centres on a secluded village that fears creatures in the surrounding woods.

What it is

The film is set in an isolated Pennsylvania countryside village in the 19th century. Residents believe dangerous creatures live in the woods, and a central conflict arises when villagers question the rules that keep them confined.

Who's in it

The ensemble cast includes Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, and Brendan Gleeson. The film pairs a large dramatic cast with a mystery-driven storyline.

Production and reception

The Village was written, produced, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, released in 2004. It was marketed as a tense thriller and received a PG-13 rating. Genre descriptions vary: thriller, mystery, drama.

In short

  • Released in 2004, directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
  • Stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, and others.
  • Plot: a village lives in fear of creatures in the woods.
  • Set in 19th-century Pennsylvania.
Canadian angle

The Village was released in Canada under the same English title, and French-language sources list the French title as Le Village.

Quick questions

What is The Village?
A 2004 American period thriller film by M. Night Shyamalan.
Who stars in The Village?
Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Brendan Gleeson.
What is The Village about?
A secluded village whose inhabitants fear creatures in the woods beyond their settlement.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Village_(2004_film)
    Supports: Release year, director, cast, and basic premise.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Village-2004-film
    Supports: Film description, genre, and isolated-community premise.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/village
    Supports: Synopsis, director, genre, release date, and runtime.
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-village
    Supports: Plot summary, release date, director, cast, and rating.
  5. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Village
    Supports: French title, original title, release year, runtime, cast, and plot summary.