The Happening poster
Trailer No. 2

The Happening Quotes

"We've sensed it. We've seen the signs. Now...it's happening."

R 2008 · 1h 30m
54
Audience
54
Audience
16 quotes
The Communication Abilities of Plants
Nursery Owner You know plants have the ability to target specific threats. Tobacco plants when attacked by heliothis caterpillars will send out a chemical attracting wasps to kill just those caterpillars. We don't know how plants obtain these abilities, they just evolve very rapidly.
Alma Which species is doing it if you think it's true?
Nursery Owner Plants have the ability to communicate with other species of plants. Trees can communicate with bushes, and bushes with grass, and everything in between.
Suspicion and Accusations in Conversation
Mrs. Jones I hear you whispering! Thinking of stealing something?
[confronting Elliot]
Elliot No ma'am, we're not.
Mrs. Jones Plan on murdering me in my sleep?
Elliot What? Nooo.
Unexpected Expression of Frustration
Private Auster Oh, cheese and crackers!
Toxin's Impact on Vulnerable Individuals
Elliot Oh no...
[shots are heard firing in the distance]
Alma What "oh no"?
Elliot The toxin? The toxin's affecting them?
Woman in Group Are those people killing themselves?
Realtor You were with the Private, what do we do?
Alma We need to do something!
Elliot Just let me think...
Alma They're dying!
[as shots continually fire in the background]
Elliot I need a second...
Realtor They released it? We're not near the roads!
Alma We can't just stand here as uninvolved observers!
Elliot I need a second, okay? Just give me a second!
Alma We're not gonna be one of those assholes on the news who watches a crime happen and not do something! We're not assholes!
Elliot Just a second!
Woman in Group There were children in that group!
Alma Moore Elliot, please, tell us what to do!
Elliot I need a second, okay?! Why can't anybody give me a goddamn second?! All right, be scientific, douchebag. Identify the variables.. isolate groups.. design the experiment.. that's what we're.. careful observation, measurements, that's what I'm trying to do, interpret the experimental data, interpret... What if it is the plants? That group was larger than ours. This thing's been escalating all day. Smaller and smaller populations have been setting this off. They react to human stimulus. Maybe people are setting off the plants?
[talks to himself]
Alma What are you saying? That guy was crazy! We have to save them!
Elliot They're already dead! What if they're targeting us as threats? This part of the field may not have been set off. Something in this field could be releasing the chemical into the air when there's too many of us together. Let's just stay ahead of the wind!
Plants and Hot Dogs: A Curious Connection
Nursery Owner We're packing hot dogs for the road. You know hot dogs get a bad rap? They got a cool shape, they got protein. You like hot dogs right? By the way, I think I know what's causing this.
Elliot You do?
Nursery Owner It's the plants. They can release chemicals. OK babies, we are going to be going, but we will be back soon, OK? Oh, plants react to human stimulus, they've proved it in tests. You get the mustard?
[to his plants; to Elliot; to his wife]
Discussion on Parenthood Choices
Jared Got kids?
Elliot No.
Jared How come? You got... a problem?
Elliot No. She wanted to wait.
Jared Really? For what?
Elliot For me to grow up. Why are we talking about this?
Warning Signs of a Chemical Attack
Principal Alright, there appears to be an event happening. Central Park was just hit by what seems to be a terrorist attack. They're not clear on the scale yet. It's some kind of airborne chemical toxin that's been released in and around the park. They said to watch for warning signs. The first stage is confused speech. The second stage is physical disorientation, loss of direction. The third stage... is fatal.
[To teachers, calling for a cancellation of school]
The Importance of Scientific Curiosity and Nature
Elliot You're not interested in what happened to the bees? You should be more interested in science, Jake. You know why? Because your face is perfect. The problem is, your face is perfect at 15. Now, if you were interested in science, you would know facts like the human nose and ears grow a fraction of an inch each year. So a perfect balance of features now, might not look so perfect five years from now, and might look downright whack 10 years from now. Come on, buddy. Take an interest in science. What could be the reason bees have vanished?
[Jake shakes his head; students laugh]
Jake An act of nature, and we'll never fully understand it.
[after a long pause]
Elliot Nice answer, Jake. He's right. Science will come up with some reason to put in the books, but in the end it'll be just a theory. I mean, we will fail to acknowledge that there are forces at work beyond our understanding. To be a scientist, you must have a respectful awe for the laws of nature. Jake?
[Jake raises his hand]
Jake How much does the human nose grow each year?
Elliot It's miniscule, buddy. Okay? Don't worry about it. You're going to be a heartthrob your whole life. I was just messing with you.
Casual Conversation Between Friends
Jess Hey, Alma.
Alma How's it going?
Jess Hangin in there.
Elliot Moore's Absurd Encounter with a Plant
Elliot Moore Hello, my name is Elliot Moore. I'm just going to talk in a very positive manner, giving off good vibes. We're just here to use the bathroom, and we're just going to leave. I hope that's okay. Plastic. I'm talking to a plastic plant. I'm still doing it.
[to house plant; Elliot touches leaf]
Indifference Amidst Crisis
Alma Mrs. Jones, um, something's happened along the east coast.
Mrs. Jones Whatever it is that you think is so important that you need to tell me - don't. Just keep it to yourself. The world don't care about me. I don't care about it.
The Nature of Unimaginable Evil
Alma Moore It makes you kill yourself. Just when you thought there couldn't be any more evil that can be invented.
[Watching a news report about the airborn toxin, presumed to be the result of a terrorist attack]
Discontinued Train Service Leaves Passengers Confused
Train Conductor The train service has been discontinued. This will be the last stop for all passengers.
Elliot Hey, what do you mean? Where are we?
Train Conductor Filbert, Pennsylvania.
Elliot Filbert? Does anybody know where that is? Why are you giving me one useless piece of information at a time? What's going on? Hey, why would you just stop? You can't just leave us here!
Train Conductor Sir, we lost contact.
Elliot With whom?
Train Conductor Everyone.
The Dynamics of Pursuit in Relationships
Mrs. Jones So what's with you two? Who's chasing who?
[to Elliot and Alma]
Alma I'm sorry?
Mrs. Jones Ain't no time two people staring at each other, or standing still, loving both with their eyes are equal. Truth is, someone is chasing someone. That's the way we's built. So, who's chasing?
Secrets and Revelations on a Wedding Day
Julian Hey, I'm going to tell you something that you should never tell your best friend.
Elliot Why is everybody saying that?
Julian I saw her on your wedding day.
[referring to Alma]
Elliot Again with the wedding. What?
Julian I walked into her waiting room by mistake, and she was crying. She looked up and I saw her face. She wasn't ready to jump in, Elliot. That's not who she is. She's never going to jump in when you need her, man.
The Bond Between Soldier and Weapon
Private Auster MY FIREARM IS MY FRIEND! IT WILL NOT LEAVE MY SIDE!