Review of The Sixth Sense (1999) by Zac03 — 09 Aug 2021

The Sixth Sense is among the greatest writer-directorial debuts in cinema history, building chilling suspense while simultaneously possessing a plethora of genuine heart.

When it comes to storytelling, The Sixth Sense really shows Shyamalan drawing inspiration from Hitchcock, and it works to near-perfection. It’s a slow-building, character-driven thriller that leads the audience down the same path of discovery and tense fright that is experienced by those on screen. A great deal of the exposition is non-verbal, relying instead on subtle visual clues and clever foreshadowing that make for a much more personal, intellectual viewing experience. Shyamalan trusts his audience and it’s always so refreshing to see a film like this.

This splendid pacing is pulled off thanks to fantastic editing and direction that always aligns the audiences' perspective with that of the characters. The spine-tingling score from James Newton Howard and gripping, raw dialogue further anchor the narrative in reality and it sucked me in. I was hooked from the opening scene and was deeply invested in the personal struggles of these characters.

This is a rich, jet black study of death and the macabre, the dangers of psychological trauma and isolation, the raw power behind human regret and reconciliation, and how all the aforementioned thematic devices can influence one another in life. It really is a carefully-constructed, laser-focused achievement in cinematic storytelling, with a stunning collection of lead performances (especially from that of young Haley Joel Osment). Indeed, with "The Sixth Sense," it's all about the journey. For me, the destination, seems like a footnote in comparison to all the beauty at hand throughout this film.