The epidemic spreads quickly, and within a few hours, all major cities in the northeast of the United States are affected. Our hero, Elliot, a high school science teacher from Philadelphia played by Mark Wahlberg, flees with his estranged wife Alma Moore (Zooey Deschanel) and the eight-year-old daughter (Ashlyn Sanchez) of his best friend who has gone back to the city in search of his missing spouse.

It soon becomes clear that the suicides have been caused by airborne neurotoxins, released by plants exacting their revenge on humans. With seemingly no escape, we wonder, can Elliot and his wife survive?

The early scenes, which feature people jumping off buildings and throwing themselves to the lions in the zoo, are disturbing. Shyamalan's reputation may be tarnished, yet his storytelling technique remains intact. The eerie mood is further enhanced by a spine-tingling score from Shyamalan's long-time collaborator James Newton Howard, and the crystal-clear photography of cinematographer Tak Fujimoto.

Most horror movies, such as Jaws and Alien, have a specific monster. What makes The Happening interesting is the way that it turns nature - beautiful, relaxing nature - into a scary monster. As the camera lingers ominously on the rustling trees and fluttering leaves, you know you will never see a flower in the same light again.

Wahlberg delivers a solid and at times humorous performance that deserves applause. This guy is good - you would pay to watch him play a tree. The film ends ominously, suggesting that the fragile balance between nature and human civilisation is about to be broken.

The Happening is showing now