The Sixth Sense

  

  The Sixth Sense is a movie that made in 1999 explores the supernatural from a humanized perspective. The success of the film derives, in part, from the complex narrative structure that confounds the spectator’s understanding of the narrative, until its revelatory end. The ability of extra-sensory perception, or ESP, to detect that which lies beyond the normal laws of physics is the basis for the film’s title. The film, however, deals with much more. Part thriller, part love story, and part horror, The Six Sense is a voyage of self-discovery, of learning to communicate, and of understanding one’s own perception, as experienced by the two protagonists, Malcolm Crowe(Bruce Willis) and Cole Sear(Haley Joel Osment). M. Night Shyamalan’s script subtly examines the effects of alienation, the bonds of relationships, and the inability to communicate in modern society. In the early 1920s Horror was introduced as we know it today, with films like Nosferatu and Phantom of The Opera. The movies typically had a setting of a far away place which made patrons leave their comfort zone. The 1930s was a major evolution of the themes that had created horror in the 20s, typically the Gothic Horror genre followed a very similar formula, a far away place from towns, with a humanoid creature that is socially exiled or ostracized and uses many dark or Gothic themes such as religion and settings usually using lots of Gothic architecture.

  In addition, following World War Two and the beginning of the cold war Horror had begun to change, the themes of gothic horror shifted to more contemporary themes such as nuclear war with the USSR and monster stemmed from such. The 1960s saw a major change in the genre as the 60s were the first time youths saw their own culture being developed, instead of adults and children, teenagers wanted their own group to be recognized. Horror films also began to reflect this, with many slasher movies main theme being a loss of innocence. Besides, the next two decades continued the theme of a loss of innocence however lead to an evolution and improvement with the inclusion of occultist and demonic themes such as in The Exorcist(1973) and Poltergeist(1983). The early 2000s saw a very quiet time for the horror genre, with only notable releases being a re-release of The Exorcist and the first of the Final Destination and it’s sequels.

  Through “Genre is defined by the conventions” we know that Daniel was depicting that on order for a film to be considered a horror film it must contain all the common conventions and tropes that any classical horror film would contain. These would be conventions such as specific camera angles, which is low and high angles, canted angles, lots of close ups to show emotions. Additionally, key mise-en-scene such as settings and shadows around darkened objects. Through “Genre can be defined in terms of media language” and “Genre allows texts to be produced to appeal to different audiences” we know that Rick Altman is describing that a genre is shown through what it does in terms of it’s media language, how it speaks to the audience through the media, via mise-en-scene, camera types, editing, actors, props, sound and story lines. Therefore, the genre targets specific types of people who enjoy certain types of films, a person that likes mystery may watch thrillers because of their suspense and mystery. Horror film uses a lot of blood and jump scares because the audience wants to be afraid, in addition to types of people who are wearing non extravagant clothing, to look more like the audience that is watching it, so the audience can relate to it and be more afraid.

  The synopsis of The Six Sense is introducing child psychologist Malcom Crowe. A former patient, Vincent Grey, breaks into Crowe’s house and shoots Crowe and himself. Crowe begins working with nine-year-old Cole Sear. Cole exhibits many of the same symptoms as Grey did, and Crowe feels that if he is able to help Cole it will atone for his failure with Grey years earlier. Cole finally admits his secret to Crowe. Crowe comes up with a theory to Cole. Cole is terrified, but he tests this theory. Cle no longer has to be afraid all the time. Crowe returns home and he realized that he has been dead this whole time. The realization puts Crowe at peace and he is finally free to depart from the living world.

  There is a color red present throughout the film. It appears in the form of a doorknob, a dress, a bed sheet, a church door, and a statue of Jesus. The color red carries a natural sense of foreboding. Red is seen mostly as a “bad” color, but it also represents a sense of protection. The doorknob is symbolic because it keeps Malcolm from the truth. He does not notice the blockade in front of the door because, as Cole says, the ghosts only see what they want to see. There are one of the editing that is use of slow motion, when Malcolm is shot and Anna runs over to him. This gives the impression of time slowing down, effectively showing the panic and suddenness of the situation as in moments of fear it can often feel like time has frozen. The slow motion also provides the audience with a moment to process what they have just seen, and what has just happened to both Malcolm and Vincent.

  In summary, the film tells the story of Cole Sear, a troubled, isolated boy who is able to see and talk to the dead, and an equally troubled child psychologist named Malcolm Crowe who tries to help him. In the film The Six Sense, M. Night Shamalan reveals heroism by saying that showing courage from our heart and directly facing one’s fears is the only solution to annihilating fear completely, and being the hero that we thought we needed all along.