What Is the Story Behind the Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel Movie? Why Was ‘The Happening’ a Big Flop?

In 2008, two much-celebrated Hollywood talents, Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel, came together for what was expected to be a gripping apocalyptic thriller under the direction of M. Night Shyamalan. With a mysterious force wiping out humanity and a suspense-heavy premise, the title had all the ingredients of a hit. But something went terribly wrong. Instead of applause, The Happening sparked confusion, criticism, and contentious laughs, making many wonder what ultimately led to the film’s failure.

The Happening had the cast and concept. But was it the lifeless performances, the stilted dialogue, or the confusing plot that doomed it?

The Happening — A thriller that thrilled absolutely no one

All those who watched The Happening hoping for it to be a tense, mind-bending thriller were stunned for all the wrong reasons. Mark Wahlberg’s wide-eyed confusion as a science teacher and Zooey Deschanel’s blank stares spawned multiple Reddit threads that criticized their acting prowess. Dialogue in the film — such as one incident, a conversation between Wahlberg and a plastic plant — did not help the movie’s case either. The plot, well, many on the aforementioned social media platform opined, was thin, turning a potentially chilling offering into a baffling, emotionless experience no one could take seriously.

With a worldwide collection of $163.4 million, per Box Office Mojo, of which $64.5 million came from domestic markets and $98 million from international territories, The Happening’s commercial performance felt more like a fluke than a win. Following an opening of $30.5 million, likely riding on M. Night Shyamalan’s name, the film, in all its rights, duped the audiences. With a $48 million budget, the film barely justified its existence, and most of its earnings came before word of mouth killed any momentum. Financially passable, creatively disastrous, that is The Happening in a nutshell. Zooey Deschanel, however, was not on board with the notion, as she had a few thoughts to spare on the movie more than a decade after its release.

In 2022, Zooey Deschanel insisted The Happening was not a failure, just a misunderstood vision.

Did Zooey Deschanel claim The Happening was ahead of its time?

Nearly 15 years after its release, Zooey Deschanel defended the much-mocked The Happening. In a candid interview with The Guardian, the actress acknowledged the film’s reputation, joking that it was “pretty universally not loved.” Still, she spoke highly of M. Night Shyamalan’s creative intent, suggesting he was aiming for a stylized horror to mirror The Birds and that perhaps audiences simply did not grasp the director’s unique vision at the time.

Zooey Deschanel also reflected on her own performance, expressing doubt about whether she was the right choice for the thriller genre. The Bridge to Terabithia star said that while she enjoyed working with both Mark Wahlberg, whose real estate portfolio turns several heads in 2025, and M. Night Shyamalan, her heart resided with comedies rather than serious dramas. The Happening famously earned an 18 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Have you seen The Happening? Let us know your thoughts on it in the comments below.