It might seem a bit unexpected to some that M. Night Shyamalan has partnered with renowned romance novelist Nicholas Sparks for a film, but their joint effort on Remain—a movie adaptation scheduled for release in 2026 – but it makes perfect sense to many.
Although Shyamalan is primarily known for his work in horror and thriller genres, he has also infused emotional depth into his films, romance included. Although love has been featured in some of his acclaimed works, they haven’t primarily been categorized as romantic films, which makes me curious about what this collaboration might yield. Let’s delve into what we know about both the forthcoming book, slated for a 2025 release, and the movie that will star Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor, coming out next year.
The novel is set to be published on October 14, 2025, while the film adaptation is scheduled for theatrical release on October 23, 2026, according to Deadline. This places it at the end of the Halloween season, where it will compete against new horror films in theaters, including the latest project from Jordan Peele, which shares the same release date. Although both films will face competition, they belong to different genres—Peele’s unknown title is expected to be a horror film, while Remain is characterized as a supernatural romantic thriller.
Written by Nicholas Sparks in collaboration with M. Night Shyamalan, Remain: A Supernatural Love Story, falls under the categories of Paranormal Fiction, Fantasy Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Women’s Fiction according to Penguin Random House.
Now, let’s explore the storyline of Remain. As previously mentioned, it’s a supernatural love narrative. For those acquainted with Nicholas Sparks’ body of work, the romantic themes won’t come as a surprise. His novels, many of which have made it to the screen like The Notebook and A Walk to Remember, revolve around heartfelt romances. As one would expect from Shyamalan, there’s likely some complexity to the plot, known for weaving sci-fi and supernatural threads into his tales.
The official plot synopsis reveals that the story centers on Tate Donovan, an architect grappling with his sister’s death, who confides in him—before passing—that she could see spirits. Tate travels to Cape Cod to design a summer house for a friend, where he encounters a young woman named Wren, sparking an emotional connection. Their romance is set against a backdrop of urgency, as Tate unravels Wren’s past, filled with “hatred, jealousy, and greed” from her small-town existence.
Consequently, it seems there are significant undercurrents beyond just a romantic narrative. However, we’ll need to wait to witness how all these elements unfold.
As Deadline noted in their casting update, the film and book will share the same foundational concept and characters, “but tailored to their respective formats.”
In January, Deadline reported that Jake Gyllenhaal was cast in the film, although the title wasn’t revealed at that time. By March, Phoebe Dynevor joined the cast, and in July, additional actors were announced, including Julie Hagerty and Tracy Ifeachor.
The cast list includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Phoebe Dynevor, Ashley Walters, Julie Hagerty, Jay O. Sanders, Tracy Ifeachor, Hannah James, Caleb Ruminer, Kieran Mulcare, and Maria Dizzia.
The collaboration between M. Night Shyamalan and Nicholas Sparks has generated excitement. Sparks shared on Instagram in July that he had long desired to work with Shyamalan, who has been keen on creating a love story himself.
On July 18, 2025, Shyamalan announced that production had begun, posting a photo of himself with a clapboard featuring a coastal backdrop. Just a month later, on August 19, Gyllenhaal shared on his Instagram that filming had concluded, expressing gratitude to the team for what he called “one of the most joyful and inspiring experiences.”
With filming complete, the focus now shifts to post-production, and assuming it adheres to its October 2026 release date, there’s still over a year before audiences can see the film.
Meanwhile, for those eager to dive into the narrative sooner, they won’t have to wait long, as the book releases this October.
