Less than three months after his cinematic debut Ishana Night Shyamalan‘S The Guardians finally comes to Max, with the horror officially available to stream exclusively on Max on Friday, August 30, 2024. With a reported budget of $30 million, the film struggled to recoup that amount, barely crossing the finish line and grossing $32 million. Considering that production companies usually aim to double the budget of a project, it is fair to say that the film’s release was a disappointment. Unfortunately, that hasn’t stopped some from praising their viewing experience, and the impending release of the Max is the perfect time for those who just weren’t curious enough to buy a movie ticket to enjoy the viewing experience from the comfort of their own home.

The main roles in the film are played by Dakota Fanning as Mina, Georgina Campbell as Ciara, Oliver Finnegan as Daniel, Alistair Brammer as John, and Olwen Foueré as Madeline. Produced by M. Night ShyamalanThe film is the directorial debut of his daughter Ishana, with some of the film’s tonal and narrative points clearly influenced by her father. Based on the novel by AM ShineThe film “follows Mina, a 28-year-old artist who is stranded in a vast, untouched forest in the west of Ireland. When Mina finds shelter, she is unwittingly trapped with three strangers who are watched and stalked every night by mysterious creatures. You can’t see them, but they see everything.” In a Interview with ColliderDirector Shyamalan said: “The Guardians is an exciting journey that hopefully leads to a sense of wonder at the end. I hope it’s just an experience that plays with that discomfort and then takes you to a bigger, more wonderful place.”

“The Watchers” did not quite meet Shyamalan’s high standards

Out of The sixth sense To Unbreakablethe legacy of the Shyamalan name is embedded in some of the best features in the horror/thriller genre. Ishana, looking to capitalize on this success, struggles to maintain her father’s high standards and unfortunately produces one final film that failed to impress at the box office or with critics. Chase Hutchinson’s review for ColliderHe quickly pointed out the film’s shortcomings, saying:

“The only thing that is scary about
Ishana Night Shyamalan
‘S

The Guardians

is how it needs a solid horror premise that is already well done in
AM Shine
s novel of the same name and sucks the life out of it. It is a pathetically stiff adaptation in which every choice is futile. While Ishana plays the daughter of the famous director
M. Night Shyamalan
,

Her feature film debut can’t hold a candle to her father’s films. Even though it’s the family business to make scary works about people getting into terrible situations, the two previously did great work together on the underrated series

servant

and the flawed yet frightening

Old

,
The Guardians
sees the apple falling far from the tree and rolling into a dark pit from which it will never emerge.”

The Guardians will be officially released on Friday, August 30, 2024 by Max. You can find the film via the link below.

The Guardians

Follows Mina, a 28-year-old artist who becomes stranded in a vast, untouched forest in the west of Ireland. After finding shelter, she finds herself trapped with three strangers and stalked every night by mysterious creatures.

Release date

June 7, 2024

director

Ishana Shyamalan

Pour

Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, Olwen Fouéré, Siobhan Hewlett

Authors

AM Shine, Ishana Shyamalan

Watch on Max