M. Night Shyamalan Discusses GLASS, The Philosophical Conflict at its Heart, and The Classic Film That Influenced it

Fans were floored by the trailer that was recently released for M. Night Shyamalan's Glass. A lot of people didn't expect the direction of the story they are taking this film, and that's what I love about Shyamalan in regards to this franchise; he likes to play with the unexpected. 

During an interview with io9, the filmmaker opened up a little bit about the film's story and explains that there's a philosophical conflict at the heart of the film that will set it apart from Unbreakable and Glass.

"I think there’s definitely a philosophical conflict at the center of the movie which is, you know, are they are they deluded to think these things? Or is that belief in oneself ultimately something that truly makes them something more?

"That kind of belief is a tenuous thing for people. Even if we can do extraordinary things, is it something that we’re interpreting when we do that or are some people really special or not? The movie’s really about doubt versus belief and so every scene has that weight to it and that struggle is there."

He goes on to say that the film is a character-driven story that was inspired by the classic film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

"It’s a contained, character-driven thriller that happens to be about this subject. There’s very little CGI and it’s not about the spectacle. It’s really about the characters. One of my favorite films is One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and there’s a lot of that in this in this movie."

It's easy to see the influence of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest in the trailer that was released and I love that this next chapter of the story is going to be heavily character driven. That's what I've loved about these films in the franchise in the first place. The big spectacle is the crazy CGI heavy visions, the spectacle is the journey of these incredibly fascinating characters.