• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • FMTV on YouTube
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Bluesky
    • Linktree
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • The Baby in the Basket
  • Death Among the Pines

M. Night Shyamalan uses bathroom breaks to help gauge the success of his movies

January 24, 2020 by Samuel Brace

Iconic director M. Night Shyamalan uses bathroom breaks when testing his movies to see if they are going to be a success.

There is no question that M. Night Shyamalan is one of the most unique directors around, producing a multitude of fascinating and quirky thrillers with unconventional twists and turns.

Shyamalan’s unique approach to directing also extends to how he tests his films before release. The director has revealed in a recent interview on Late Night with Seth Myers that bathroom breaks play a big role:

“You screen the first cut of the movie, and it’s really long. It has like, everything in it. It’s not paced correctly. And about 50 people will go to the bathroom during the screening of the movie. They’ll just get up and go at some point in the movie. And as you make the movie and you keep on doing it, then 30 people go to the bathroom. And the time next it’s 20 people, and then 10 people, then four people. And then the last cut of the movie when it’s ready to go out, its two people and they’re running, and they’re backwards watching the screen as they go to the bathroom. And what’s really interesting is that you stop thinking about yourself when you’re completely connected to the movie. And like 500 people forget they needed to go to the bathroom.”

SEE ALSO: M. Night Shyamalan’s next two films will be “all weird and dark”

What do you think of this approach? How many times did you need the bathroom for the director’s last film Glass? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter @flickeringmyth…

Filed Under: Movies, News, Samuel Brace Tagged With: M. Night Shyamalan

WATCH OUR NEW FILM FOR FREE ON TUBI

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Out for Vengeance: Ten Essential Revenge Movies

The Must-See Movies of 2015

6 One-Night-Stand Thrillers for Your Watchlist

20 Epic Car Chases That Will Drive You Wild

Underappreciated Action Stars Who Deserve More Love

What Will Amazon Do with James Bond?

10 Psychological Horror Gems You Need To See

The Top 10 Horror Movies of 1985

Underrated Movies from the Masters of Action Cinema

8 Creepy Neighbor Movies for Your Watchlist

Top Stories:

Movie Review – Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (2026)

Movie Review – Protector (2025)

10 Essential Action Movies of 1996

Movie Review – The Bride! (2026)

Movie Review – Heel (2025)

The Essential Horror Movies of 1996

Video Review – Bodycam is the best found footage film of the decade

Prime Video Review – Young Sherlock

Movie Review – Hoppers (2026)

Movie Review – Dolly (2025)

FLICKERING MYTH FILMS

 

FEATURED POSTS:

Ten Great Comeback Performances

7 John Hughes Movies You Might Have Missed

10 Upcoming Horror Movies to Watch Out For in 2026

6 Great Rutger Hauer Sci-Fi Films That Aren’t Blade Runner

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • FMTV on YouTube
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Bluesky
    • Linktree
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles and Opinions
  • The Baby in the Basket
  • Death Among the Pines
  • About Flickering Myth
  • Write for Flickering Myth