History YMMV / MNightShyamalan

* AudienceAlienatingEra: From ''Film/TheVillage'' to ''Film/AfterEarth'', he received very negative reviews and was widely considered to be a bad director, with ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' seen as the nadir of his career. This ended with ''Series/WaywardPines'', after which he directed the critically acclaimed ''Film/TheVisit'' and ''Film/{{Split}}''.

** At the time of ''Film/TheSixthSense'', Shyamalan didn't have his reputation, so nobody saw the film's TwistEnding coming. The problem came when Shyamalan started [[MandatoryTwistEnding relying on twist endings in his films]], a problem that first became apparent with ''Film/{{Signs}}'', generally considered the last film of his that's any good. By the time of ''Film/TheVillage'', viewers had learned to see it coming, and his reputation and the quality of his films suffered for it.

* BrokenBase: An extremely polarizing director. He is often listed as both one of the best and one of the worst contemporary filmmakers.
* DiscreditedMeme: His haters deliberately mispronounce his surname as ''Shyamalamadingdong'' after the release of ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' and in middle of the lowest point of his career. However, this died down in the late 2010s as people realize the problematic nature of humorously mispronouncing Indian names. Even his most harshest critic won't say such derisive nickname and called out anyone who uses as such. This comes off bit ironic considering the film director of Indian descent became a victim of racism after directing [[Film/TheLastAirbender a movie]] that's considered as racist due to casting white people for Asian characters.
* FanNickname:
** Shambles-an - Referred to as such by [[WebVideo/CinematicExcrement Sean Moore]] in his review of ''After Earth'', as a reference to the declining quality of his films.
** Also, [[WebVideo/NarutoTheAbridgedComedyFandubSpoofSeriesShow M. Night Shamamalama... sama... kun.]]

** At the time of ''Film/TheSixthSense'', Creator/MNightShyamalan didn't have any reputation to speak of, so nobody saw the film's TwistEnding coming. The problem came when Shyamalan started [[MandatoryTwistEnding relying on twist endings in his films]], a problem that first became apparent with ''Film/{{Signs}}'', generally considered the last film of his that's any good. By the time of ''Film/TheVillage'', viewers had learned to see it coming, and his reputation and the quality of his films suffered for it.
** Shyamalan's early films were characterized by slow pacing, restrained and unemotional acting, a greater emphasis on creating rarefied atmospheres, and dialogue that often felt unnatural. That worked since they were suspense and horror films, however when he was commissioned to direct ''Film/TheLastAirbender'', a fantasy and adventure film based on a series that stands out for its humor and spectacular fights, those features became serious defects.
* MisBlamed: Many fans of the [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender original Nickelodeon series]] blame Shyamalan for everything bad related to ''Film/TheLastAirbender'', especially the controversial casting, however there [[http://www.geekbinge.com/2014/08/14/m-night-shyamalan-really-blame-last-airbender/ are testimonials on the Internet]] that indicate that many of the most unpopular decisions were the product of executive interference. And that Shyamalan, perhaps out of pride, preferred to take full responsibility instead of admitting that he did not have total creative control over his film. Other people indicate that Hollywood has a [[{{Yellowface}} long history of systematically excluding Asian actors]], so it is unfair to blame everything on Shyamalan. Shyamalan himself referring to Airbender as the only film he views as a ''true'' failure may be a hint that it's something he is ashamed to attach his name to for reasons out of his control, rather than just a blunder on his own terms like ''Film/LadyInTheWater'' or ''Film/TheHappening''.

** Shyamalan's early films were characterized by slow pacing, restrained and unemotional acting, a greater emphasis on creating rarefied atmospheres, and dialogue that often felt unnatural. That worked since they were suspense and horror films, however when he was commissioned to direct ''Film/TheLastAirbender'', a fantasy and adventure film that stands out for its humor and spectacular fights, those features became serious defects.

* DiscreditedMeme: His haters deliberately mispronounce his surname as ''Shyamalamadingdong'' after the release of ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' and in middle of the lowest point of his career. However, this died down in the late 2010s as people realize the [[UnfortunateImplications problematic nature]] of humorously mispronouncing Indian names. Even his most harshest critic won't say such derisive nickname and called out anyone who uses as such. This comes off bit ironic considering the film director of Indian descent became a victim of racism after directing [[Film/TheLastAirbender a movie]] that's considered as racist due to casting white people for Asian characters.
* DorkAge: From ''Film/TheVillage'' to ''Film/AfterEarth'', he received very negative reviews and was widely considered to be a bad director, with ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' seen as the nadir of his career. This ended with ''Series/WaywardPines'', after which he directed the critically acclaimed ''Film/TheVisit'' and ''Film/{{Split}}''. In 2019, ''Film/{{Glass}}'' appears to have started another one. Only time will tell.

* MisBlamed: Many fans of the [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender original Nickelodeon series]] blame Shyamalan for everything bad related to ''Film/TheLastAirbender'', especially the controversial - and full of UnfortunateImplications - casting, however there [[http://www.geekbinge.com/2014/08/14/m-night-shyamalan-really-blame-last-airbender/ are testimonials on the Internet]] that indicate that many of the most unpopular decisions were the product of executive interference. And that Shyamalan, perhaps out of pride, preferred to take full responsibility instead of admitting that he did not have total creative control over his film. Other people indicate that Hollywood has a [[YellowFace long history of systematically excluding Asian actors]], so it is unfair to blame everything on Shyamalan. Shyamalan himself referring to Airbender as the only film he views as a ''true'' failure may be a hint that it's something he is ashamed to attach his name to for reasons out of his control, rather than just a blunder on his own terms like ''Film/LadyInTheWater'' or ''Film/TheHappening''.

* MisBlamed: Many fans of the [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender original Nickelodeon series]] blame Shyamalan for everything bad related to ''Film/TheLastAirbender'', especially the controversial - and full of UnfortunateImplications - casting, however there [[https://www.mnightfans.com/the-true-story-of-the-last-airbender-revealed/ are testimonials on the Internet]] that indicate that many of the most unpopular decisions were the product of executive interference. And that Shyamalan, perhaps out of pride, preferred to take full responsibility instead of admitting that he did not have total creative control over his film. Other people indicate that Hollywood has a [[YellowFace long history of systematically excluding Asian actors]], so it is unfair to blame everything on Shyamalan. Shyamalan himself referring to Airbender as the only film he views as a ''true'' failure may be a hint that it's something he is ashamed to attach his name to for reasons out of his control, rather than just a blunder on his own terms like ''Film/LadyInTheWater'' or ''Film/TheHappening''.

* DiscreditedMeme: His haters deliberately mispronounce his surname as ''Shyamalamadingdong'' after the release of ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' and in middle of the lowest point of his career. However, this died down in the late 2010s as people realize the [[UnfortunateImplication problematic nature]] of humorously mispronouncing Indian names. Even his most harshest critic won't say such derisive nickname and called out anyone who uses as such. This comes off bit ironic considering the film director of Indian descent became a victim of racism after directing [[Film/TheLastAirbender a movie]] that's considered as racist due to casting white people for Asian characters.

* DorkAge: From ''Film/TheVillage'' to ''Film/AfterEarth'', he received very negative reviews and was widely considered to be a bad director, with ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' seen as the nadir of his career. This ended with ''Series/WaywardPines'' , after which he directed the critically acclaimed ''Film/TheVisit'' and ''Film/{{Split}}''. In 2019, ''Film/{{Glass}}'' appears to have started another one. Only time will tell.

* FranchiseOriginalSin: At the time of ''Film/TheSixthSense'', Creator/MNightShyamalan didn't have any reputation to speak of, so nobody saw the film's TwistEnding coming. The problem came when Shyamalan started [[MandatoryTwistEnding relying on twist endings in his films]], a problem that first became apparent with ''Film/{{Signs}}'', generally considered the last film of his that's any good. By the time of ''Film/TheVillage'', viewers had learned to see it coming, and his reputation and the quality of his films suffered for it. Shyamalan's early films were characterized by slow pacing, restrained and unemotional acting, a greater emphasis on creating rarefied atmospheres, and dialogue that often felt unnatural. That worked since they were suspense and horror films, however when he was commissioned to direct ''Film/TheLastAirbender'', a fantasy and adventure film that stands out for its humor and spectacular fights, those features became serious defects.

* FranchiseOriginalSin: At the time of ''Film/TheSixthSense'', Creator/MNightShyamalan didn't have any reputation to speak of, so nobody saw the film's TwistEnding coming. The problem came when Shyamalan started [[MandatoryTwistEnding relying on twist endings in his films]], a problem that first became apparent with ''Film/{{Signs}}'', generally considered the last film of his that's any good. By the time of ''Film/TheVillage'', viewers had learned to see it coming, and his reputation and the quality of his films suffered for it.
** Shyamalan's early films were characterized by slow pacing, restrained and unemotional acting, a greater emphasis on creating rarefied atmospheres, and dialogue that often felt unnatural. That worked since they were suspense and horror films, however when he was commissioned to direct ''Film/TheLastAirbender'', a fantasy and adventure film that stands out for its humor and spectacular fights, those features became serious defects.

* MisBlamed: Many fans of the [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender original Nickelodeon series]] blame Shyamalan for everything bad related to ''Film/TheLastAirbender'', especially the controversial - and full of UnfortunateImplications - casting, however there [[https://www.mnightfans.com/the-true-story-of-the-last-airbender-revealed/ are testimonials on the Internet]] that indicate that many of the most unpopular decisions were the product of executive interference. And that Shyamalan, perhaps out of pride, preferred to take full responsibility instead of admitting that he did not have total creative control over his film. Other people indicate that Hollywood has a [[YellowFace long history of systematically excluding Asian actors]], so it is unfair to blame everything on Shyamalan.
** Shyamalan himself referring to Airbender as the only film he views as a ''true'' failure may be a hint that it's something he is ashamed to attach his name to for reasons out of his control, rather than just a blunder on his own terms like ''Film/LadyInTheWater'' or ''Film/TheHappening''.

* ScapegoatCreator: Many fans of the [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender original Nickelodeon series]] blame Shyamalan for everything bad related to ''Film/TheLastAirbender'', especially the controversial - and full of UnfortunateImplications - casting, however there [[https://www.mnightfans.com/the-true-story-of-the-last-airbender-revealed/ are testimonials on the Internet]] that indicate that many of the most unpopular decisions were the product of executive interference. And that Shyamalan, perhaps out of pride, preferred to take full responsibility instead of admitting that he did not have total creative control over his film. Other people indicate that Hollywood has a [[YellowFace long history of systematically excluding Asian actors]], so it is unfair to blame everything on Shyamalan.
** Shyamalan himself referring to Airbender as the only film he views as a ''true'' failure may be a hint that it's something he is ashamed to attach his name to for reasons out of his control, rather than just a blunder on his own terms like ''Film/LadyInTheWater'' or ''Film/TheHappening''.

* DiscreditedMeme: His {{Hatedom}} deliberately mispronounce his surname as ''Shyamalamadingdong'' after the release of ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' and in middle of the lowest point of his career. However, this died down in the late 2010s as people realize the [[UnfortunateImplication problematic nature]] of humorously mispronouncing Indian names. Even his most harshest critic won't say such derisive nickname and called out anyone who uses as such. This comes off bit ironic considering the film director of Indian descent became a victim of racism after directing [[Film/TheLastAirbender a movie]] that's considered as racist due to casting white people for Asian characters.

* DiscreditedMeme: His {{Hatedom}} used to call him ''Shyamalamadingdong'' in a jocular way, especially after the release of ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' and in middle of the lowest point of his career. However, this died down in the late 2010s as people realize the [[UnfortunateImplication problematic nature]] of humorously mispronouncing Indian names. Even his most harshest critic won't say such derisive nickname and called out anyone who uses as such. This comes off bit ironic considering the film director of Indian descent became a victim of racism after directing [[Film/TheLastAirbender a movie]] that's considered as racist due to casting white people for Asian characters.

** Shyamalan himself referring to Airbender as the only film he views as a ''true'' failure may be a hint that it was more than just a blunder on his own terms like ''Film/LadyInTheWater'' or ''Film/TheHappening''.

** Shyamalan himself referring to Airbender as the only film he views as a ''true'' failure may be a hint that it was more than just a blunder on his own terms like ''LadyInTheWater'' or ''TheHappening''.

** Shyamalan himself referring to Airbender as the only film he views as a ''true'' failure may be a hint that it was more than just a blunder on his own terms like ''[[LadyInTheWater]]'' or ''[[TheHappening]]''.

* NeverLiveItDown: The ATLA fans that [[FanonDiscontinuity actually acknowledge its existence]] have yet to let Shyamalan live down ''Film/TheLastAirbender''.

* ScapegoatCreator: Many fans of the [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender original Nickelodeon series]] blame Shyamalan for everything bad related to ''Film/TheLastAirbender'', especially the controversial - and full of UnfortunateImplications - casting, however there [[https://www.mnightfans.com/the-true-story-of-the-last-airbender-revealed/ are testimonials on the Internet]] that indicate that many of the most unpopular decisions were the product of executive interference. And that Shyamalan, perhaps out of pride, preferred to take full responsibility instead of admitting that he did not have total creative control over his film. Other people indicate that Hollywood has a [[YellowFace long history of systematically excluding Asian actors]], so it is unfair to blame everything on Shyamalan.

* NeverLiveItDown: Many people will never forgive him for ''Film/TheLastAirbender''.
* SnarkBait: He was a common punchline from 2010 until 2015, and some still do it in spite of his modest CareerResurrection.

* ScapegoatCreator: Many fans of the [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender original Nickelodeon series]] blame Shyamalan for everything bad related to ''Film/TheLastAirbender'', especially the controversial - and full of UnfortunateImplications - casting, however there [[https://www.mnightfans.com/the-true-story-of-the-last-airbender-revealed/ are testimonials on the Internet]] that indicate that many of the most unpopular decisions They were the product of executive interference. And that Shyamalan, perhaps out of pride, preferred to take full responsibility instead of admitting that he did not have total creative control over his film. Other people indicate that Hollywood has a [[YellowFace long history of systematically excluding Asian actors]], so it is unfair to blame everything on Shyamalan.

* ScapegoatCreator: Many fans of the [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender original Nickelodeon series]] blame Shyamalan for everything bad related to ''Film/{{TheLastAirbender}}'', especially the controversial - and full of UnfortunateImplications - casting, however there [[https://www.mnightfans.com/the-true-story-of-the-last-airbender-revealed/ are testimonials on the Internet]] that indicate that many of the most unpopular decisions They were the product of executive interference. And that Shyamalan, perhaps out of pride, preferred to take full responsibility instead of admitting that he did not have total creative control over his film. Other people indicate that Hollywood has a [[YellowFace long history of systematically excluding Asian actors]], so it is unfair to blame everything on Shyamalan.

* SnarkBait: He was a common punchline from 2010 until 2015, and some still do it in spite of his modest CareerResurrection.

* DorkAge: From ''Film/TheVillage'' to ''Film/AfterEarth'', he received very negative reviews and was widely considered to be a bad director, with ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' seen as the nadir of his career. This ended with ''Series/WaywardPines'' , after which he directed the critically acclaimed ''Film/TheVisit'' and ''Film/{{Split}}''. In 2019, ''Film/{{Glass}}'' appears to have started another one.