Remain (film)

Development

Remain is based on a story developed by M. Night Shyamalan (left) and Nicholas Sparks (right).

Filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan and novelist Nicholas Sparks almost worked together decades earlier after the latter suggested the former be approached to rewrite the screenplay for The Notebook (2004), the film adaptation of Sparks' eponymous 1996 novel; Shyamalan declined the offer to make The Sixth Sense (1999) instead. In May 2023, the two of them met in Shyamalan's Pennsylvania residence to brainstorm ideas for a collaboration that would suit their respective cinematic and literary mediums. They proceeded with Shyamalan's pitch and devised characters during that first meeting.^[2][3] In August 2024, Shyamalan told Sparks that he planned to adapt their story into a screenplay to direct. Sparks received Shyamalan's script in October and decided to write the novel version of the same story, "the way it should be told in a novel".^[2][4] He completed the book in January and published it in October 2025.^[4][5]

Shortly after printing his script, Shyamalan had lunch in New York with Jake Gyllenhaal. When the actor alluded to wanting to work with him, Shyamalan handed him the copy.^[2] In January 2025, Warner Bros. Pictures acquired the distribution rights to the film, described as a supernatural romantic thriller, with Gyllenhaal cast in the lead role.^[6] By May, Phoebe Dynevor and Ashley Walters joined the cast of the film, now titled Remain.^[7][1][8] In July, additional cast members were revealed.^[9]

Filming

Remain was shot with 35 mm VistaVision cameras.^[10] Principal photography took place in Rhode Island, commencing on June 18, 2025.^[11][12] It was scheduled to conclude on August 8,^[13][14] and a wrap party was held on August 10.^[15]

Locations included the Coffee Depot in Warren;^[11][16] a ferry on Narragansett Bay (accessed via the Prudence Island Ferry dock) and the town common in Bristol;^[17][18][19] the closed Gray's General Store in Adamsville and the Haffenreffer estate in Sakonnet Point, Little Compton;^[20][21] Washington Square (including the exterior of the Florence K. Murray Courthouse in Eisenhower Park) in Newport;^[22][23] the Swamp Meadow Bridge in Foster;^[19] a tavern in Chepachet, Glocester;^[24] the historic Cranston Street Armory and the Dexter Training Ground in Providence; and the Fort Wetherill State Park in Jamestown.^[15]

Shyamalan's production company Blinding Edge Pictures paid a monthly $10,000 fee to lease the Cranston Street Armory for seven months, starting in May 2025.^[16][14] The production moved into the armory, which it used as a soundstage for the interior of a bed-and-breakfast, in early July, moved out on July 30, and planned to keep it available until late November for any necessary reshoots.^[16][25][26] In February 2026, the production returned to the Armory to film either reshoots or additional scenes.^[27]

Post-production

James Newton Howard composed the score, marking his ninth collaboration with Shyamalan and first since After Earth (2013).^[28]