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Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams, Donnie Wahlberg ... see more see more... , Glenn Fitzgerald , Mischa Barton , Trevor Morgan , Bruce Norris , Michael Higgins , Samia Shoaib

In this tense tale of psychological terror, Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) is a child psychologist whose new patient has a problem far outside his usual area of expertise. Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osme... read more read more...nt) is six-years-old and claims to see the spirits of dead people all around him. It seems that Cole has psychic powers and can channel the ghosts of those who were troubled. Cole doesn't understand his powers, and he has little control over them; he's constantly terrified by what he sees, and Dr. Crowe is the only one with whom he feels he can share this secret. However, as the doctor digs deeper into Cole's strange powers, it leads to strange and unexpected consequences for both of them. M. Night Shyamalan, who wrote and directed the film, has a small role as Dr. Hill. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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87% liked it

950,316 ratings

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85% liked it

134 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan

Release Date: August 6, 1999

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DVD Release Date: March 28, 2000

Stats: 54,884 reviews

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Bruce Norris Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense The Sixth Sense The Sixth Sense Afraid. Dr. Malcolm Crowe Chills The Sixth Sense Cole Sear Toni Collette in The Sixth Sense Cole Sear Cole Sear and Lynn Sear Mischa as a ghost The Sixth Sense (1999) M. Night Shyamalan The Sixth Sense The Sixth Sense The Sixth Sense
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Flixster Reviews (54,884)

  • cosmo313
    April 23, 2013
    cosmo313
    No matter how much M. Night Shyamalan continues to go downhill, this will continue to hold up as a great film.

    Influenced by an old episode of the show "Are You Afraid of the Dark?", this is an engrossing psychological thriller about a troubled child psychologist named Dr. Malco... read morelm Crowe who begins to treat a gifted boy named Cole who confesses he has the ability to see the dead.

    Both Dr. Crowe and Cole are troubled, and share a sense of alienation, and while Crowe should be the one helping Cole, it seems that there could be a turning of the tables, with Cole being the one helping Dr. Crowe put his own demons to rest.

    Twist endings were nothing new when this film came out, but it seemingly resurrected the trend (for better or worse). Heck, the trend has continued through most of the rest of Shyamalan's own work since then. It is a good twist, and it works, but I like this film regardless of the twist. I mostly just like how well the twist works, and the point that it gives the film, making you realize it's really about something other than you initially think it is.

    In general, this is just an extremely well crafted film. Everything is very deliberate, thought out, and expertly set up and executed. This is some great writing and direction, and it's all highlighted by some excellent and evocative cinematography and camera work.

    At the core of the film though, and what really holds it all together are the two central performances from Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment,. Willis proved he can really excel at serious drama, and was even awarded an Oscar nod for his efforts. He's great ,but actually manages to get practically outshined by Osment. Most child actors are so-so at best, but this kid knocks it out of the park here, and it's a shame he's pretty well fallen into obscurity. These two have great chemistry with one another, and you really get drawn into their world and want to see them get through their situations. The other performers are also good, but mostly overshadowed by these two, A big exception would have to be the brief but memorable appearance of Donnie Wahlberg as a former patient of Dr. Crowe's. It's chillingly effective.

    Actually, 'chillingly effective' is a great way to sum of the whole film. It's moody, atmospheric, eerie, and unforgettable, largely because of the things I've already mentioned, but also because of the terrific score as well.

    This film gets talked about a lot, and I doubt any of what I've said are new contributions, but trust this film's reputation as great and go see it if you, for some reason, haven't already.
  • emilkakko
    December 18, 2012
    emilkakko
    M.Night Shyamalan who later in his career turned out to be one of the most gifted auteurs of American cinema was still finding his voice with The Sixth Sense. Many of his typical trademarks are evident here and in many ways The Sixth Sense was the film that started Shyamalan's ca... read morereer. It is not his first film but it is the first film in his career that was a big hit.
    Much has been also said of this film's surprise ending and i must admit that it truly is a brilliant as a twist. There are also few genuinely effective shocks along the ride, but when compared to his filmography, films like Signs or The Village, this is a far cry from them.
    Technically The Sixth Sense is assured work, but for me it has always felt a bit cold from it's heart. It is a ghost story that leaves an oddly bland aftertaste and in a story that should have bigger impact emotionally, it is a huge flaw. It actually feels as if Shyamalan is trying a bit too hard here.
    Overall it mixes art with entertainment like all of Shyamalan's films do, but here the effect feels much lesser than in his other films.
  • aquateen2
    November 20, 2012
    aquateen2
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]

    It kills me to say it but I wasn't particularly scared by The Sixth Sense. I rather found the story intriguing and wanted to know what was going to happen following every twist and turn. So much so that ... read moreit ends with one massive twist that I honestly never saw coming. It's well constructed generally but I think there are some problems with it. Firstly M Night Shymalan is a very talented writer/director and it was here pretty much where his career truly got off the ground. But the fundamental flaw is his script, it's written with a self confidence that makes the experience of watching the film unengaging and oddly detatching. What he gets right is his spectacular direction of the filming and the performances of the cast. And Bruce Willis plays his character outstandingly considering he'd never really done many toned down, "talky" performances up until that point. Which bring me to it's second flaw, it never knows when to shut up. It's a film that constantly has characters explaining things and talking very quietly and slowly in a way that isn't really creepy. But what made it work in the end for me was my admiration of the incredible performances and the various plot twists. Shymalan makes every single character interesting and keeps the general tension alive. It's not a masterpiece, I think the critics were too fair too it, it's by far an over rated ghost flick, but it does so much with so little resources and proves M Night Shymalan knew how to make films before recent lacklusters like The Last Airbender. It feels so different, and is in ways an art house horror about children's social anxiety, among other reasons I would certainly recommend it as a simple piece of Hollywood entertainment mixed with elements of a classic ghost story.
  • ScoopOnline
    February 9, 2012
    ScoopOnline
    Suspense till the End. Though always having trouble prouncing the Directors name out. *shakin head
  • ajv2688
    December 19, 2011
    ajv2688
    A chilling, creepy, dramatic ghost story... with a twist at the end of course. Luckily this was Shyamalan's first film, otherwise it wouldn't have been as good as it was. We can only take his twist endings for so long. But being the first, this was the best. If you only see o... read morene of his films, make it this one. The cast is great, the story is brilliant, and if you don't know the ending by now you will find it comes as a complete surprise. I highly recommend this movie it was the best psychological horror/thriller film of the year.
  • garyX
    December 14, 2011
    garyX
    A child psychologist who is shot by a former patient he failed to help becomes obsessed with the case of a small boy who is exhibiting similar symptoms. Although M. Night Shyamalan's career has taken a serious dump since his halcyon days, The Sixth Sense is the film he will alway... read mores be remembered for. A mix of supernatural thriller and wish fulfilment fantasy, it delivers both spine tingling chills and pushes all the right emotional buttons when presenting this sensitively told tale of a small boy who is living in constant fear of the dead who seem to be stalking him. Although the famous twist in the tale is the biggest talking point, it's amazing how well the story stands up even when you know that it's coming; you find yourself admiring the subtlety and cleverness of the (mis)direction and the wonderful performances, particularly by Haley Joel Osment which, considering his age at the time, is frankly astonishing. One of the best films of its type out there and an achievement MNS can be proud of despite his nosediving career.
  • spielberg00
    October 28, 2011
    spielberg00
    From director M. Night Shyamalan and actor Bruce Willis, THE SIXTH SENSE is a fantastic achievement of modern psychological suspense/horror, and probably one of the better ones we've seen since THE SHINING.

    This film tells the story of a single mother named Lynn Sear (Toni Colle... read morette) who, after finding her son Cole (Haley Joel Osment) acting very timid and strange, calls a child psychologist, Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis). Cole finds Dr. Crowe hard to relate to at first, but he later considers him a friend--a good enough one to tell that he "sees dead people". That's when all the secrets Cole seems to know start to make sense. And from there on, we are in for a lot of suspense, chills, and a twist ending.

    The one thing I like about this film is that I shunned it for a while after the first time I saw it, because it deprived me of nearly a whole night of sleep; but when I decided to give it another try, I didn't see what was so bad about it. In fact, the second time watching it brought me even more chills, and I am hoping for a prequel (not a sequel!), as ridiculous as it may sound. And if you have not seen this, then you are depriving yourself! THE SIXTH SENSE is not perfect, but it is almost as much of a twisted thrill ride as HALLOWEEN, THE SHINING, and POLTERGEIST combined.
  • fb729949618
    September 24, 2011
    fb729949618
    The ending! What a movie!
  • DreamExtractor
    September 18, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    The Sixth Sense is not only of the greatest films ever made, it stands as the greatest twist ending of all time. The story revolves around Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) a child psychatrist who decides to help a young boy who can see ghosts. The storyline is never boring and is a... read moren incredible ghost story, every moment of the film is memorable and great. The cast was great, Haley Joel Osment plays to this day, the greatest child role in film history, and Bruce Willis needs to do more drama roles, he is great. The Sixth Sense is a masterful movie, and one of M. Nights only good movie.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    September 8, 2011
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    1...Sight 2...Sound 3...Smell 4...Taste 5..Touch 6...The Sixth Sense

    Good movie! M. Night Shyamalan is one of the most interesting directors for me and one of many's I'm more enthusiast from once a film is newly made. This is where Haley Joel Osment really showed his talent as a... read more young actor and he did excellent.The Sixth Sense is more than simply a wondrous two hours. It has, in effect, created a new genre of filmmaking... the film is neither drama, nor horror, nor action. Rather, it is a seamless blending of all three, a film that encompasses the best aspects of each genre, without being limited by the worst. Hollywood has taken notice of this, and one can only expect a series of poor imitations to follow. But at least they'll always have The Sixth Sense to guide the way.

    Child psychologist Malcom Crowe is one night visited by an ex-patient named Vincent, angry, enraged. He wounds Crowe, then kills himself. A few months later, Crowe is visited by a 9-year old boy named Cole. He sees dead people who do not know they are dead. Because of this, he is called a freak in school. Crowe, at first thinks he is seeing things, but after spending a lot of time with Cole (much to his wife's dismay), he discovers Cole may be seeing dead people after all.

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Critic Reviews

David Denby
October 10, 2012
David Denby, New Yorker

A delicate, emotionally attentive, but very scary ghost story. Full Review

Jack Mathews
October 10, 2012
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News

I was not only surprised by the film's final twist, I wasn't even looking for one. I just thought I was watching a bad movie. The end doesn't quite redeem it, but it makes you think about what you've ... Full Review

John Anderson
October 10, 2012
John Anderson, Los Angeles Times

Shyamalan's script is a clever construct, but also contains a great deal of sensitivity to the plight of the "different" child. Full Review

Lisa Alspector
June 26, 2007
Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader

M. Night Shyamalan neutralizes Willis's star presence with impressive plotting that's a fine excuse for the powerful atmosphere. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
April 27, 2007
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

An effectively understated and moodily engrossing ghost film with a surprisingly satisfying jolt at the end. Full Review

February 9, 2006
Time Out

A poignant study of the searing pain caused by loss, this all-too-human horror film provokes tears as well as fears. Full Review

March 22, 2002
Globe and Mail

Billed as a 'chilling, psychological thriller,' this movie is actually none of those things. Full Review

Jeff Millar
January 1, 2000
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle

There's more fright in any 10 minutes of The Sixth Sense than the sensory startle effects The Haunting produces in its entire running time. Full Review

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

The Sixth Sense is the movie that really deserves to be called The Haunting.

Tom Long
January 1, 2000
Tom Long, Detroit News

Sixth Sense is scary -- and smart! Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Cole Sear: I see dead people.
    • Cole Sear: I see dead people.
    • Cole Sear: She wanted me to tell you...
    • Lynn Sear: Cole, please stop...
    • Cole Sear: She wanted me to tell you she saw you dance. She said, when you were little, you and her had a fight, right before your dance recital. You thought she didn't come see you dance. She did. She hid in the back so you wouldn't see. She said you were like an angel. She said you came to the place where they buried her. Asked her a question? She said the answer is... 'Every day.' What did you ask?
    • Lynn Sear: Do... Do I make her proud?
    • Cole Sear: I'm ready to tell you my secret now.
    • Dr. Malcolm Crowe: Okay.
    • Cole Sear: Come closer.
    • Cole Sear: I see dead people. They don't know they're dead.
    • Dr. Malcolm Crowe: Where are they?
    • Cole Sear: Everywhere.
    • Cole Sear: Stuttering Stanley!
    • Stanley Cunningham: Excuse me.
    • Cole Sear: You talk funny when you went to school and you talk funny all the way to high school!
    • Cole Sear: [repeating] Stuttering Stanley! Stuttering Stanley! Stanley!
    • Stanley Cunningham: [shouting] Shut up you freak!
    • Dr. Malcolm Crowe: You like magic? [sitting down facing Cole] Look here's a penny. I'm going to make this penny disappear. I give this a little wave and [clap] it's in my right hand. But that's not the end of the magic trick. I give this a little shake and [tap on inside pocket] it's in my pocket. But that's not the end of the magic trick. I give this a little shake and [clap] it's back where it started.
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The Sixth Sense Trivia

  • Which movie had Haley Joel Osment playing a boy suffering from being one of few that can see the dead?  Answer »
  • In this movie, Bruce Willis plays a psychiatrist trying to help a child who believes he sees the souls of the departed.  Answer »
  • "The Sixth Sense" and "The Others" generaly have the same ending, which is....  Answer »
  • What movie was Haley Joel Osment nominated for the Oscar ?  Answer »
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