Writer/Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette and Haley Joel Osment
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actresses in Hollywood have made films which are as hard to forget as Toni Collette. Ever since her rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Collette has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s grief-stricken mothers, suspects of murder or women that are haunted by ghosts, Collette has played many strong characters. Arguably, Collette’s finest strength as an actress is her bravery. She has always stood as one of those rare actresses that isn’t afraid of taking risky roles. Collette has often excelled in the roles of mothers facing situations of terror. Through her willingness to play strange characters, Collette has become a celebrated actress that audiences value. An actress that doesn’t have any fear, Collette has built a bold career. Shining bright light in darkness, she has become a bold icon in the entertainment business. Through an illustrious career that has proven to be lasting, Collette has made many unforgettable movies which are worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Colette and admire all the films she has made in her career. However, “The Sixth Sense” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release back in 1999, M. Night Shyamalan’s movie has stood the test of time as a horror classic. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best horror movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Toni Collette, who embodies a grief-stricken mother with a tormented son. Ultimately, what makes “The Sixth Sense” a horror classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most horror movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing horror masterpiece, there’s many strong reasons why “The Sixth Sense” is a film worth seeing.
“The Sixth Sense” follows the story of a child psychologist that forms a strong bond with a young child that’s gifted. Bruce Willis portrays Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist that has a gift for communicating with spirits. Following an unexpected accident that causes tragedy, Crowe embarks on a journey to discover his identity. However, Crowe’s life forever changes when he meets gifted nine year old boy Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment). Sear is a thoughtful child with the abilities to communicate with the dead. Forming a strong bond with Cole, Crowe questions whether he can play a role in the life of a child that spirals out of control. Faced with a dilemma, Crowe questions whether it is truly possible to help a troubled child which suffers from trauma. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Crowe questions if it’s possible for him to assist a child that seems destined for a disastrous future.
M. Nigh Shyamalan is fascinated with themes of trauma. Before he had directed “The Sixth Sense”, Shyamalan had never produced horror films in his career before. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the struggle of children that face traumatic barriers but he succeeded immensely. Through stunning cinematography, Shyamalan captures a child psychologist that embarks on a journey to discover his identity. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for eyes as bold as ghosts children visualize. Shyamalan is a filmmaker which has always had an aptitude for creating tensions through visuals, and his strengths are evident in “The Sixth Sense”. M. Night Shyamalan effectively uses handheld camera to capture tensions faced by a child psychologist which is haunted by ghosts. For instance, the handheld camera enhances the opening scene. During this memorable scene, Malcolm Crowe and his wife are interrupted in the middle of having sex by a ghost causing despair. Through handheld camera work, the filmmaker captures the hardships which child psychologists go through. Handheld camera is a tricky technique to employ in movies. When used excessively, handheld camerawork can often become a gimmick. As Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” demonstrated, handheld camerawork elevates classic horror films. That being said, it works tremendously in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Shyamalan captures hardships child psychologists communicating with ghosts are facing.
Another strong aspect of “The Sixth Sense” is the production-design. From a technical point of view, the movie is extremely well made. M. Night Shyamalan has always thrived designing sets for his films, and “The Sixth Sense” found him showcasing his strengths as a filmmaker. Shyamalan effectively uses diegetic sounds to capture intense tensions a child psychologist is facing. Throughout the movie, Shyamalan uses diegetic sounds to capture hardships faced by a child that’s haunted by ghosts. For instance, diegetic sounds elevate the classroom scene. During this unforgettable scene, Cole faces a nervous breakdown in school facing emotions that are cruel. One appreciates diegetic sound capturing tragic hardships that children with trauma face. Furthermore, the musical score is exceptional. James Newton Howard’s musical score is memorable. It gives the film an intense atmosphere capturing the hardships kids with trauma often bear. Through strong production-design, Shyamalan captures children enduring psyches that decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “The Sixth Sense” is a captivating horror classic which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses silences to capture the tensions faced by children that suffer from trauma. Shyamalan’s greatest screenwriting strength is capturing tension experienced by children with trauma through silence. Throughout the movie, Shyamalan uses silence to capture the bond between a psychologist and young boy. For instance, silence enhances the conversation scene. During this unforgettable scene, Crowe has a thoughtful conversation with Cole about his abilities to communicate with dead people. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” suggested, silence suits old fashioned murder mysteries. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a fantastic screenplay, Shyamalan captures children with trauma experiencing a price to pay.
One admires astonishing performances.
Haley Joel Osment gives one of his best career performances as Cole. In his first ever leading role, Osment proved a talented actor that had a bright future. It isn’t easy to get in a mindset of a young boy with vision of dead people, but Osment succeeded immensely. It’s a role that gave the child actor a chance to showcase his strengths for playing psychologically disturbed characters. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, fear and resentments of a boy suffering from trauma. Child actors are rarely ever this great at conveying emotions especially in their first role. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most gifted child actors working today.
Toni Collette is terrific as a mother struggling to raise a child which has a mental disorder. While Osment gets the showier role, Collette is also excellent and worthy of appreciation. Collette is one of those actresses which has always had an aptitude for playing anxiety-ridden mothers, and “The Sixth Sense” was a showcase for her talent. Whether she’s upset after discovering Cole’s bloody scratch marks or frightening by ghosts that are terrifying, she effectively uses her expressions to capture the persona of a mother haunted by discuses. It’s a terrific performance from one of the grey set actresses that’s currently starting in Hollywood today.
Lastly, Bruce Willis deserves appreciation. As a child psychologist, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The Sixth Sense” will earn recognition of everyone for capturing tensions endured by children with trauma. Unlike most movies in the horror genre, it tackles universal themes which everyone would relate to. The movie discusses universal themes including identity, psychology and childhood trauma that would undoubtedly resonate with everyone. The movie delivers an inspirational message about childhood trauma that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Sixth Sense” is one of those rare horror movies everyone will adore.
Fans of Toni Collette will definitely appreciate “The Sixth Sense” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting horror classic, it celebrates an actress which has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking horror film about children born with rare abilities to communicate with ghosts that are frightening seeing visions of dead people that are traumatizing, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has gained a huge fan following earning worldwide recognition for her abilities to portray characters which are compelling whose engaging movies are worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 