Directed by:
M. Night ShyamalanScreenplay:
M. Night ShyamalanCinematography:
Tak FujimotoComposer:
James Newton HowardCast:
Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Haley Joel Osment, Olivia Williams, Donnie Wahlberg, Mischa Barton, Trevor Morgan, KaDee Strickland, M. Night Shyamalan (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
Eight-year-old Cole Sear is haunted by a dark secret: He is visited by ghosts. A helpless and reluctant channel, Cole is terrified by threatening visitations from those with unresolved problems who appear from the shadows. Confused by his paranormal powers, Cole is too young to understand his purpose and too terrified to tell anyone about his torment, except child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe. As Dr. Crowe tries to uncover the ominous truth about Cole's supernatural abilities, the consequence for client and therapist is a jolt that awakens them both to something harrowing -- and unexplainable. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (11)
After seeing the first showing on the day of the premiere, without any prior information this really was a powerful and utterly unforgettable experience. Paradoxically, unlike other Shyamalan movies, this is only watchable twice. After that it just doesn’t work. The Sixth Sense lacks what is to be found in Unbreakable for instance, which reveals newer and newer layers every time you watch it again. The actors, especially Osment, are absolutely convincing and also there is no sense in singing the praises of Night’s directing, which is perfect in every respect. The same applies to the atmosphere. Anyhow, I reiterate that the first time you watch it is an unforgettable experience (but maybe not anymore, because everybody knows what happens even if they haven’t seen it), and so I have no choice but to give it a full set of stars.
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An incredibly impressive film with a truly unexpected climax that actually put everything else on the back burner and ensured The Sixth Sense and director Shyamalan's undying fame. A great ghostly atmosphere, an excellent script, an incredible Osment, and the awesome Bruce in a slightly unconventional but perhaps his best role, where he fully displays his acting abilities. It’s a bit of a shame that the precision and finesse of the film didn't quite allow me to get deeper into Shyamalan's narrative than half a metre from the screen (and that's only in the tense moments). But that's only a minor blemish on this otherwise masterfully crafted horror film, which deservedly ranks among the genre's best. Very strong 4* for me.
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The Sixth Sense is an acting tour de force by (especially) little Haley Joel Osment (a well deserved Oscar nomination!) and Bruce Willis, and it is a perfectly handled directorial affair on M. Night Shyamalan's part. All sorts of subtle hints surface throughout the story, eventually leading to a shocking reveal that just makes this film unforgettable. In short, for me, a near perfect ghost thriller that lacks a greater dose of suspense in individual scenes to be perfect.
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I must confess that, after the huge fuss around The Sixth Sense, I am rather disappointed with the result. It's a nice ghost story, some moments are chilling and the performances of Osment and Willis are excellent. Oddly enough, the final twist seemed far-fetched to me, though very original. Shyamalan obviously has a considerable talent for dramatic gradation of shots as well as the ability to play with the viewer's psyche, but it's not my type of film.
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The Sixth Sense is an intimate little thriller that revolves around four troubled people. It is delicately frightening, spiritually romantic and fiercely sad. Even on repeat viewings, you will not find a scene in it that doesn’t work for both faces of the schizophrenically double-sided narrative, connected with the final point that changes everything. Everything is put perfectly in place and it is almost unbelievable how precisely the primary face of the film, perceived by the “virgin” viewer, can function in this condition. The Sixth Sense is Shyamalan’s smallest and most encapsulated film, which is perhaps the reason that many of his fans, myself included, rate it as being somewhat weaker than Unbreakable and Signs. But hand on heart: isn’t it an equal emotional bombshell built on the foundation of an equally perfectionist screenplay and form? Perhaps only James Newton Howard’s music doesn’t have quite the same distinctiveness and character-related connection with the film here as it does in the two aforementioned masterpieces.
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