M. Night Shyamalan is known for his shocking twists, and he pulled off one last night with a surprise premiere of his next film, Remain, at the 2026 Beyond Fest. The film doesn’t hit screens until February 2027, but those who attended a planned retrospective showing of his breakout hit, The Sixth Sense, were treated to an early look at the movie, which was originally slated to be released in October of this year.
Due to Remain being viewed early by those lucky enough to be in on the latest Shyamalan twist, several first reactions have hit social media, and it looks like the director’s blend of ghost story and romance might make for the perfect date movie when Remain opens closer to Valentine’s Day.
What Are The First Reactions Saying?
The first reactions to Remain were pretty positive, with some saying that Shyamalan is locked in more than ever as his use of romance, horror, and even comedy in the film are pitch perfect. There are several first reactions declaring that this is a return to form for the director and some of his most vulnerable and earnest work in years.
The film is said to tackle some of Shyamalan’s most common themes, such as love, faith, and destiny, but in a package that is both scary and truly tragic. Again, the film’s humor is highlighted, but it’s used in a way that doesn’t appear to be distracting. Even though he utilizes it more, Remain never loses sight of being heartbreaking, romantic, and creepy, according to other reactions. Looks like Shyamalan could have a hit on his hands when Remain hits screens next year. You can check out some of the first reactions below!
What Is Remain About?
Remain is a supernatural romantic thriller written and directed by Shyamalan and based on an idea that he developed with author Nicholas Sparks, who separately wrote a verison of the story as a novel that was published in 2025. In the film, a New York architect named Tate Gordon (Jake Gyllenhaal) makes his way to Cape Cod to design a summer home for his best friend. After suffering from acute depression, Tate is seeking a fresh start as he mourns the death of his sister, but when he meets a young woman named Wren (Phoebe Dynevor), it disrupts the order in his carefully organized world. The film also stars Ashley Walters, Julie Hagerty, Jay O. Sanders, Tracy Ifeacher, and Hannah James.
Remain became yet another bestselling novel from Sparks, and it looks like it’s going to become a hit movie for Warner Bros. According to Shyamalan at Warner Bros. Discovery’s upfront presentation in New York earlier this year, the director revealed that Remain is the highest-testing film of his career. Following turning Trap into a modest $84 million global hit on a $30 million budget, Warner Bros. seems confident that their second gamble with Shyamalan in a row is going to pay off even more.
Remain hits theaters on February 5, 2027.
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