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Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Cherry Jones, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin ... see more see more... , Patricia Kalember , M. Night Shyamalan , Ted Sutton , Merritt Wever , Lanny Flaherty , Marion McCorry , Michael Showalter , Rhonda Overby

Following the smash hit The Sixth Sense (1999) and the under-performing follow-up Unbreakable (2000), directing phenom M. Night Shyamalan returns to the summer box office landscape that served as the ... read more read more...backdrop for his cinematic breakthrough. In Signs, another paranormal outing for the writer-director, Shyamalan explores the eerie implications of a 500-foot crop circle that mysteriously appears on the Bucks County, PA farm of reverend Graham Hess (Mel Gibson). As Hess and his family (Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin) try to take stock of what the sign means, and how its message incorporates into their faith, they start to get the feeling they are not alone in the fields behind their house. Shyamalan re-teams with producers Frank Marshall, Sam Mercer and Kathleen Kennedy, and produces the project in association with his Blinding Edge Pictures banner and Touchstone Pictures. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

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65% liked it

846,126 ratings

Critics

74% liked it

225 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 46 min.

Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan

Release Date: August 2, 2002

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DVD Release Date: January 7, 2003

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Stats: 42,553 reviews

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Searching. Mel Gibson (as Rev. Graham Hess) and Joaquin Phoenix (as Merrill Hess) in 'Signs' Signs Listening. Signs Signs Signs Signs Signs Signs Signs Signs Signs Signs Signs signs Signs Signs
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Flixster Reviews (42,553)

  • thmtsang
    November 13, 2011
    thmtsang
    Not really into alien type movies but this is a great storyline about a family who defends their home from invasion. Reminds me of Independence Day and War of the Worlds. Great cast. Fab ending. Best M Night Shyamalan movie.
  • theunknownhobo
    September 9, 2011
    theunknownhobo
    It has taken me a long time to see this movie, which still surprises me even after watching it as it is a typical movie that I would feel the need to see. However, on the reviews of a lot of other people I simply steered away from it until I found it today stashed away with my DV... read moreD's still sealed. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the movie, in particular the realistic relationships between the family characters (Gibson, Pheonix, Breslin and Culkin) as well as the alarmingly real emotional take on the situation they are faced with. Its the kind of movie where the hero is not afraid to break down and in the end it leaves you feeling like you watched something real, instead of something staged. Truly brilliant performances from the entire cast and a very good film indeed.
  • fb729949618
    July 31, 2011
    fb729949618
    Descent sci-fi worth watching.
  • fb100001048934982
    April 24, 2011
    fb100001048934982
    This is an exhilarating film that I would recommend to any thriller or horror fan. Such a great cast, too!
  • DreamExtractor
    March 7, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Not a bad movie at all, it has intense moments, great setting, but I just believe maybe the end scene which is the resolution to our story, didnt make much sense and could've been more well made.
  • StarCrossedVoyager
    February 25, 2011
    StarCrossedVoyager
    Much better than what I expected, this film has a story and a heart. It's interesting to see how Shyamalan scared his audience not with what we can see, but what our mind's eye sees once we've been given the fodder. It's subtle and stylistic but in a utterly real and believable w... read moreay. I didn't really like seeing the creature but I can't think of a better way to do it.
  • skeletonking101
    February 10, 2011
    skeletonking101
    Stupid, Stupid, STUPID! The aliens look like crap and there is one of the biggest plotholes ide ever seen, Hmm the aliens are allergic to water, and THEY COME TO A PLANET THAT IS ABOUT 85% WATER, HOW DO YOU SCREW THAT UP!!!!?
  • crunchbunch
    February 3, 2011
    crunchbunch
    Signs is a unique take on the existence of extra terrestrials visiting Earth and despite its obvious shortfalls turns out to be a decent and enjoyable film.

    Mel Gibson plays a father of two and ex man of the cloth who has lost his faith in God. After crop circles appear in his f... read moreield and subsequently, around the World
    it becomes obvious that we may not be alone.

    While the acting leaves a lot to be desired, the storyline more than makes up for it. A slow first half is more than made up for once the little (or not so little
    in this case) green men turn up to do whatever it is they wanted. Clever and well thought out, Signs will grip you until the very end and thankfully explains what is going on (unlike another Alien invasion film I can think
    of starring Tom Cruise), it makes for a decent watch.

    "There's a monster outside my room, can I have a glass of water? "
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    January 22, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Signs is by far the best film by director M. Night Shyamalan. Signs is a truly original film from start to finish. It's the type of film that keeps you interested till the end. Signs is a remarkable film due to the fact that it combines elements of a horror film with that of a dr... read moreama. Truly a work of originality, Signs is a superbly crafted film and is Shyamalan's greatest achievement as a director. Many People would disagree and say that The Sixth Sense is better, but for me Signs is a much better film with scares and plenty drama. The cast is excellent and give terrific performances. This film will definitely appeal to anyone who loves Horror, Suspense, Drama or Sci Fi. Signs is a film that has something for any film-goer. Overall this film won't disappoint as its filled with thrills and suspense and creepy moments. A very original film. Signs is the culmination of Shymalan's creativeness. After Signs he has made more bad movies, and he lost his touch. Only The Happening was decent enough, but it doesn't compare to this one. If you are to watch one Shyamalan film, make it this one. Signs is simply terrific. film making. It's too bad that Shyamalan's career went down the toilet after this.
  • Screeny
    August 11, 2010
    Screeny
    This just isn't my cup of tea. I'm not much of a fan of M. Night anyhow. I mean, he isn't a terrible director, but he should probably give up on writing. He's just bad with dialouge and its films like "The Last Airbender", "The Happening", and this that prove that. As for movies ... read morelike "Unbreakable" and "The Sixth Sense"...those are alright. His other movies I haven't seen, I'd say yet but me not liking the guy sort of keeps from wanting too.

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Critic Reviews

Hank Sartin
June 6, 2007
Hank Sartin, Chicago Reader

Individual sequences generate an eerie tension that's always deflated, creating a jarring stop-and-go rhythm, and the atmospheric trickery never strays beyond a lot of smoke and mirrors. Full Review

David Ansen
August 12, 2002
David Ansen, Newsweek

A refreshing summer movie. Full Review

Peter Rainer
August 11, 2002
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

Shyamalan wants to be the metaphysical poet of movies, but he's dangerously close to becoming its O. Henry. Full Review

Rex Reed
August 8, 2002
Rex Reed, New York Observer

The same old same old: dull and recycled, with no surprises. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
August 8, 2002
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

The movie is almost completely lacking in suspense, surprise and consistent emotional conviction. Full Review

Jessica Winter
August 6, 2002
Jessica Winter, Village Voice

Sitting through the last reel (spoiler alert!) is significantly less charming than listening to a four-year-old with a taste for exaggeration recount his Halloween trip to the Haunted House. Full Review

Jack Mathews
August 3, 2002
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News

Shyamalan fuses the fictional evidence of his extraterrestrials with the presumed righteousness of God in a way that will make no sense to anyone who has ever questioned either. Full Review

Desson Thomson
August 2, 2002
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Ultimately comes up short.

Ann Hornaday
August 2, 2002
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

One of the most effective movies so far at capturing a jittery nation's case of the yips.

Todd McCarthy
August 2, 2002
Todd McCarthy, Variety

It's fair to speculate whether Shyamalan's persistence in replicating the otherworldly formula of The Sixth Sense might not be a futile and self-defeating exercise. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Bo Hess: There's a monster outside my room. Can I have a glass of water?
    • Graham Hess: What's wrong with the water next to your bed?
    • Bo Hess: It tastes old.
    • Graham Hess: Bo! Where's Morgan? Bo?
    • Bo Hess: Are you in my dream, too?
    • Graham Hess: This is not a dream.
    • Graham Hess: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?
    • Graham Hess: People break down into two groups. When they experience something lucky, group number one sees it as more than luck, more than coincidence. They see it as a sign, evidence, that there is someone up there, watching out for them. Group number two sees it as just pure luck. Just a happy turn of chance. I'm sure the people in group number two are looking at those fourteen lights in a very suspicious way. For them, the situation is a fifty-fifty. Could be bad, could be good. But deep down, they feel that whatever happens, they're on their own. And that fills them with fear. Yeah, there are those people. But there's a whole lot of people in group number one. When they see those fourteen lights, they're looking at a miracle. And deep down, they feel that whatever's going to happen, there will be someone there to help them. And that fills them with hope. See what you have to ask yourself is what kind of person are you? Are you the kind that sees signs, that sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky? Or, look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?
    • Morgan Hess: Swing away, Merrill. Merrill? Swing away.
    • Graham Hess: People break down into two groups. When they experience something lucky, group number one sees it as more than luck, more than coincidence. They see it as a sign, evidence, that there is someone up there, watching out for them. Group number two sees it as just pure luck. Just a happy turn of chance. I'm sure the people in group number two are looking at those fourteen lights in a very suspicious way. For them, the situation is a fifty-fifty. Could be bad, could be good. But deep down, they feel that whatever happens, they're on their own. And that fills them with fear. Yeah, there are those people. But there's a whole lot of people in group number one. When they see those fourteen lights, they're looking at a miracle. And deep down, they feel that whatever's going to happen, there will be someone there to help them. And that fills them with hope. See what you have to ask yourself is what kind of person are you? Are you the kind that sees signs, that sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky? Or, look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?
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  • Which movie did Mel Gibson star in with M. Night Shyamalan as director?  Answer »
  • Name the movie according to the clues: Water Baseball Bat Crops Cellar Asthma  Answer »
  • What actor Walked the Line, went up Ladder 49, and saw the Signs?  Answer »
  • How does Mel Gibson's character's wife die in the movie "Signs"  Answer »
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