The Village

2004
Rated: PG-13 for a scene of violence and frightening situations
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Genre: Drama/mystery/thriller
Starring Bryce Dallas Howard and Joaquin Phoenix

Ivy Walker lives in a small isolated village during the late 1800’s, where the color red is forbidden; the elders believe it attracts the beasts living in the surrounding forest. No one can go outside the little haven without danger of being taken by the strange “Those We Do Not Speak Of” creatures. There hasn’t been an attack in a long time, until when Ivy’s friend Lucius Hunt asks the elders for permission to go beyond the village and into the unknown. That’s when the monsters become more menacing—strange marks are found on doors and skinned livestock is left along the paths. Still, Lucius is determined to go Outside, in hopes of buying medicine to might cure Ivy’s blindness. His plans are wrecked when an angry Noah mortally stabs Lucius. Now it’s Ivy who begs to be allowed to travel for medicine, if she wants to save her love’s life. After much consideration the elders allow it, although only after telling her a secret. When and if Ivy arrives at her unknown destination, she has no idea what will she find when she gets there.
I think The Village is a perfect introduction to scary movies, as the setting—being far removed from our modern world—gives the viewer a little distance. There’s lots of suspense, but no nasty gore, making a dramatic, romantic movie with great cinematography.