The Happening

Plot Outline

In New York City some strange sort of suicidal behavior overcomes the residents. People begin repeating their words, walking backwards and even just standing still, frozen in time. Then people begin to jump off buildings, stab themselves and commit suicide however feasible at the time. In another section of the city Elliot Moore (Mark Wahlberg) teaches a science class and talks about the disappearance of thousands of bees. During his lesson he is called out of class to an emergency staff meeting. He and the other teachers are informed of a potential terrorist attack on New York City in the form of some gas released in Central Park which has killed hundreds upon thousands already.

Elliot tells his friend and fellow teacher Julian (John Leguizamo) that he and his wife Alma (Zooey Deschanel) have been having problems together. They go home get Alma and Julian’s daughter, Jess, then flee the city by boarding a train. The train stops as the conductors lose communication with the station. Soon everyone flees in groups. They find that it wasn’t a terrorist attack but a natural phenomenon. Julian becomes infected and kills himself. Elliot and Alma take Jess then continue to flee. Soon Elliot realizes that it attacks large groups so they all separate into small groups of three to five.

A news report says that the worst should be over by the following morning. Will they make it through the night or will the toxin come over them as well and take control?