Cutting Edges - The Sixth Sense

Figure 1. The Sixth Sense (1999)

M. Night Shyamalan' s The Sixth Sense (1999) has subtle themes of horror and a unsuspecting twist hidden by misdirection, the movie's intentions are not to scare the audience but really to show the speculation of a child's ability to see the dead. It's really the movie's twist that brought reappraisal from viewers as a second viewing describes how the camera work and script hid the big reveal at times for viewers and at some point's were directly presented to them.

Figure 2.

The genre of The Sixth Sense isn't defined horror exactly, but the subtlety of it mixed with modern thriller "Subtlety is the key throughout, not big ding-dong stingers but evocative trails and hints of the truth, most of them mapped out across Osment's tormented face." (Nathan, 2000) It's mostly presented through sound and camera shot's for example Figure 2. When Cole walks up the stairwell to inspect the cabinet we can only see the horror described by the look on Cole's face and the when we cut away from that and focus on the cabinet itself, it being empty we are invited to hear the voices coming form it which is truly chilling.

Figure 3.

What's interesting about Cole's character is that his emotions during these suggestive scenes really bring the audience in to the eeriness without actually having to show anything physical. "this nevertheless also goes for creepiness and suggestion rather than blowing it all on CGI ghosts a la The Haunting, and reaps a fine harvest of chills, along with a few jump-out-of-your-seat shocks." (Newman, 2014). It goes to show that the implication of the unimaginable can still creep viewers out, something the movie plays around with a bit before actually introducing the ghost, it gives us this expectation that we can only see what Cole is seeing whenever we are alone with him, and before the big reveal we expect Malcolm to be alive and well since he doesn't reveal to have any obvious wounds on him. 

It's the workings of how the scenes are arranged, looking at Figure 3. In this scene Malcolm turns up late to dinner with his wife, apologising and explaining he thought it was the other restaurant they go to, appearing to be upset with him Anna doesn't respond back and as the bill is placed and he reaches for it she goes to take it instead and writes off leaving with a sad "Happy Anniversary". This scene makes us believe that their marriage has fallen apart since Malcolm's Injuries, it shows the clear signs of an upset marriage, when the reality is Anna dinning alone, she can't let go of her husband's death yet, something portrayed as a marriage on the verge of shambles is really the struggles of dealing with the loss of a loved one.

Figure 4.

The big twist makes any first-time-viewer feel surprised "The solution to many of the film's puzzlements is right there in plain view, and the movie hasn't cheated, but the very boldness of the storytelling carried me right past the crucial hints and right through to the end of the film, where everything takes on an intriguing new dimension." (Ebert, 1999) as at times the movie seems to wave it in plain sight. An interesting trigger to the reveal seen in Figure 4. the door to the Wine cellar. We see only it's handle (which being red draws our attention even further to it)  and Malcolm's struggle to get it open (the fondling through his pockets for the keys) each time he comes to it, it is always locked (possibly forgetting to unlock it?). Though upon discovering Malcolm's death we finally pan out from the door, revealing it has been barricaded by books. Making the viewer feel as if he is forgets the door is locked when really the Wine cellar has been un-attended since his death. It shows that before Cole's confession to Malcolm we are given scenes that don't directly give Malcolm's death away but merely suggest his living presence, pieces he associated with in his life as living human. As soon as Cole confesses it starts to open up the suggestion of Malcolm's death a bit more. 

Bibliography:
Nathan, Ian - EMPIRE ESSAY: The Sixth Sense
Review At: https://www.empireonline.com/movies/empire-essay-sixth-sense/review/ [Accessed: 20/03/18]

Newman, Kim - The Sixth Sense Review At: https://www.empireonline.com/movies/sixth-sense/review/ [Accessed: 20/03/18]

Ebert, Roger - The Sixth Sense At: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-sixth-sense-1999 [Accessed: 20/03/18]

Illustration:
Figure 1. - The Sixth Sense (1999) - M. Night Shyamalan - [Movie Poster]
Figure 2. - The Sixth Sense (1999) - M. Night Shyamalan - [Movie Still]
Figure 3. - The Sixth Sense (1999) - M. Night Shyamalan - [Movie Still]
Figure 4. - The Sixth Sense (1999) - M. Night Shyamalan - [Movie Still]