Old Review: 5 Ups & 5 Downs

Ups...

5. The Fascinating Central Mystery

A big part of the reason that Old works even despite its many flaws is the sheer compelling quality of its overarching mystery. It's a simple concept, and one which Shyamalan expertly slow-bleeds for uneasy suspense.

For the bulk of the film, Shyamalan leaves the possibilities wide open for what could be the cause of everyone's ageing on the beach, and as the situation becomes increasingly dire for the trapped characters, it's a ton of fun trying to figure out where he's leading us.

For many it may end up being an "it's the journey, not the destination" situation, but Shyamalan once again proves that he's a master of milking an attention-grabbing setup for every drop of tension it's worth.