M. Night Shyamalan took realism to new heights with his latest film, . The movie stars Josh Hartnett as a father and serial killer who discovers that a concert he's attending with his daughter is actually a sting operation designed to catch him.
To enhance the authenticity of the concert scene, the film features a real performance by Lady Raven, a fictional pop star portrayed by Shyamalan’s daughter, Saleka Shyamalan. To make the concert as believable as possible, Shyamalan and his team staged an actual live concert during filming.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Shyamalan explained, “We staged a real concert to ensure the scene felt genuine. We spent months planning it with Saleka, analyzing how Lady Raven would perform and interact with the audience. There was no CGI involved; it was all live action.” He added that the concert’s energy and the reactions of the extras were crucial for achieving the film’s desired effect.
Saleka Shyamalan also contributed by composing an entire album for the film, , which is available on music platforms. She emphasized the importance of making the concert feel real, from the artists accompanying Lady Raven to the album’s visual elements.
Shyamalan reflected on the experience, noting that the detailed work on the concert scene has improved his filmmaking approach. “The complexity and detail of staging the concert made me a better filmmaker,” he said. “I plan to apply this level of detail to all future projects, from a concert to something as simple as a living room scene.”
is now playing in theaters.