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The Village

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

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Village is a 2004 American period thriller film written, produced, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The film stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, and Brendan Gleeson, and centers on a secluded village that fears creatures in the surrounding woods.

Premise

The film is set in an isolated countryside village where residents believe dangerous creatures live in the surrounding woods. A central conflict arises when villagers begin to question the rules that keep them confined.

Cast

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

Production and release

The Village was written, produced, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan and released in 2004. Sources describe it as a period thriller or mystery-thriller set in the 19th century.

Reception and classification

The film was marketed as a tense thriller and received a PG-13 rating in the United States. Available sources also describe its genre variously as thriller, mystery, and drama.

Key facts

  • The Village is a 2004 American period thriller film directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
  • The plot follows a village whose residents live in fear of creatures in the woods beyond it.
  • The film stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, and Brendan Gleeson.
  • The story is set in an isolated rural community in Pennsylvania in the 19th century.
  • The film was released in Canada under the same English title, with the French title listed as Le Village.
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Canadian context

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

Frequently asked questions

What is The Village?
The Village is a 2004 American period thriller film written, produced, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
Who stars in The Village?
The film stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, and Brendan Gleeson.
What is The Village about?
It follows a secluded village whose inhabitants fear creatures in the woods beyond their settlement.
When was The Village released?
The film was released in 2004, with theatrical release listed on 30 July 2004 in several sources.
Who directed The Village?
The Village was directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

References

  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.