• News
  • Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles and Long Reads
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Flickering Myth Films
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on FlickeringMyth.com
    • Write for Flickering Myth

Flickering Myth

Film & TV News, Reviews and Features

  • Movies
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Long Reads
  • Trending

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

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Brilliantly Simple But Insanely Thrilling Movies

Ten Essential Korean Cinema Gems

10 Crazy Cult Horror Movies You Need To See

7 Underrated Ridley Scott Movies

10 Movie Franchises That Need To End

The Most Incredibly Annoying Movie Characters

Exploring George A. Romero’s Non-Zombie Movies

13 Great Obscure Horror Movie Gems You Need to See

7 Forgotten 2000s Comedy Movies That Are Worth Revisiting

15 Movies To Watch On Tubi UK

FEATURED POSTS:

Everything We Know About Season 3 of The Pitt

HBO Max launches new trailer for DC series Lanterns

Movie Review – I Love Boosters (2026)

Movie Review – Killer Whale (2026)

10 Essential Revenge Thrillers You May Have Missed

10 Essential Italian Horror Movies of the 1980s

Peak Paranoia: Why David Cronenberg’s 80s Body Horror Movies Are More Relevant Than Ever

Top Gun at 40: The Story Behind the Iconic Tom Cruise Action Blockbuster

Disney+ Review – The Punisher: One Last Kill

Movie Review – The Wizard of the Kremlin (2025)

FLICKERING MYTH FILMS

 

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

The Best Renny Harlin Movies of the 21st Century

7 Prom-Themed Horror Movies You Need To See

Ranking The Police Academy Franchise From Worst to Best

A New Golden Age for John le Carré

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
    • Articles and Long Reads
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Flickering Myth Films
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on FlickeringMyth.com
    • Write for Flickering Myth

© 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
  • Movies
  • Features and Long Reads
  • Trending
  • Flickering Myth Films
  • About Flickering Myth
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth