Zooey Deschanel, the delightful and talented actress, has captured the hearts of audiences with her unique charm and charismatic on-screen presence. Known for her distinctively quirky and endearing characters, Deschanel has established herself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. 

Known at present for her successful career in the comedy genre, The Driftless Area star did venture into a different genre, only to encounter a major setback.

The movie in question was The Happening, a thriller co-starring Mark Wahlberg, which received an abysmal reception from critics and audiences alike. Deschanel now reflected on her experience with the film, sharing her thoughts on its failure.

Zooey Deschanel On The Failure Of The Happening

The Happening is a film that found itself at the center of a whirlwind of criticism and disappointment. Starring Zooey Deschanel and Mark Wahlberg, this thriller was directed by M. Night Shyamalan, renowned for his distinctive storytelling style.

The movie aimed to explore a world plagued by unexplained suicides. However, despite high expectations, the movie failed to captivate audiences and received a resounding negative reception. 
Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel in The Happening (2008)
Zooey Deschanel candidly addressed the negative reception of The Happening and the impact it had on her career. Despite her trust in director Shyamalan and her enjoyment of the filmmaking process, the actress acknowledged that the movie failed to click well with audiences.

Deschanel believed that viewers didn’t grasp the intended tone and style of Shyamalan. The All the Real Girls star expressed her preference for comedy and admitted that thrillers might not be the best fit for her.
“That film was pretty universally not loved! The director, M Night Shyamalan – Night – had a strong vision and we were all trying to do what he wanted. I trusted him because he’s a great filmmaker.

I didn’t know until I saw the film, but I think he was going for a stylized horror, like The Birds, and maybe people didn’t get that. I had a blast working with Night and Mark Wahlberg, but while I’ve done serious drama, I’m not sure I fit with thrillers. I find the most joy in doing comedy.”
M. Night Shyamalan
M. Night Shyamalan’s Reflections On The Happening

Director M. Night Shyamalan offered his perspective on The Happening and the criticism it received. The Split director acknowledged Mark Wahlberg‘s public criticism of the film, referring to it as a “bad movie.” However, he expressed that Wahlberg’s opinion did not bother him, as it was the only instance of such feedback he had received.

Shyamalan speculated that the film’s tone and style may not have resonated with audiences. He admitted his inconsistency in executing the desired vision, and the filmmaker reflected on the value of failure and the lessons it imparts.
“Since that would be the only case of that happening — no. But really, no. It’s totally his call. However, he wants to interpret it. I think it’s a consistent kind of farce humor. You know, like The Blob. The key to The Blob is that it just never takes itself that seriously.

I think I was inconsistent. That’s why they couldn’t see it. You need to be in a good place. Unbreakable didn’t necessarily work out exactly the way I wanted it to. But now I would go back and tell my younger self, ‘That column is not your concern. Keep going.’ Failure is very cleansing, and success is very confusing.”
The Happening (2008)
The Happening serves as a significant turning point in Zooey Deschanel’s career, prompting her to reevaluate her genre choices and commit to the realm of comedy where she thrived.

Despite the disappointment surrounding the film’s reception, Deschanel’s decision to embrace her strengths and align with her true passions ultimately led her to further success in the comedy genre.