M. Night Shyamalan is an American filmmaker renowned for his supernatural thrillers characterized by unexpected plot twists. Born Manoj Nelliyattu Shyamalan on August 6, 1970, in Mahé, India, he moved to the United States at six years old, growing up in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania.
Career Highlights:
- Breakthrough Success: Shyamalan gained widespread acclaim with “The Sixth Sense” (1999), earning Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
- Notable Works: He continued to captivate audiences with films like “Unbreakable” (2000), “Signs” (2002), and “The Village” (2004), each blending supernatural elements with profound human themes.
- Recent Projects: After a series of less favorable releases, Shyamalan experienced a resurgence with “The Visit” (2015) and “Split” (2016). His more recent films include “Glass” (2019), “Old” (2021), and “Knock at the Cabin” (2023). His latest film, “Trap,” released in March 2025, is a thriller starring Josh Hartnett as Cooper, a father with OCD who doubles as a serial killer known as The Butcher.
Upcoming Collaborations:
Shyamalan is collaborating with author Nicholas Sparks on a supernatural romantic thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Shyamalan will adapt their co-created story into a screenplay, while Sparks will write a novel based on the same premise. The project is in development, with distribution details yet to be finalized.
Philanthropy:
Beyond filmmaking, Shyamalan founded the M. Night Shyamalan Foundation, supporting grassroots leaders working to eliminate poverty and social injustice. The foundation invests in leaders who are changing the world.
Personal Life:
Shyamalan married Bhavna Vaswani, a fellow student from New York University. They have three daughters, including director Ishana and musician Saleka. The family resides near Philadelphia at Ravenwood, a 125-acre estate built around a 27,000 sq ft Georgian Revival house.
For a deeper insight into Shyamalan’s creative process, you might find this interview about his film “Trap” enlightening: