The film ‘The Sixth Sense’ (1999), directed by Indian-American director M. Night Shyamalan and starring a cast led by Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment and Toni Collette, became a cultural phenomenon that captivated audiences around the world during the closing stages of the 20th century. The plot revolves around a child psychologist, Dr. Malcolm Crowe, played by Bruce Willis, who tries to help a disturbed boy, Cole Sear, played by Haley Joel Osment, who claims to see the ghosts of dead people. As the story progresses, surprising twists are revealed that lead the viewer to rethink everything they thought they knew. The film is currently available in the Disney + catalog.
‘The Sixth Sense’ was a great success, but its performance at the box office did not translate into winning film awards. It was nominated for six Oscars., including major categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor for Haley Joel Osment, Best Supporting Actress for Toni Collette and Best Original Screenplay for Shyamalan. Although it did not win any statuettes, the impact of the film was undeniable. The film had a similar run at the Golden Globes, where it failed to win any of the two awards it was up for, as well as at the BAFTA Awards, to which it went with four nominations to its credit and from which it came out of the hands of empty.
One of the technical highlights of the film is its brilliant direction and ability to create a disturbing and mysterious atmosphere that envelops the viewer and involves them in its supernatural plot. Shyamalan uses carefully planned narration to build tension and suspense throughout the film. In addition, the famous soundtrack by James Newton Howard perfectly complements the images.
The cast of ‘The Sixth Sense’ is notable for the impressive performances of its protagonists. Bruce Willis He delivers a moving and subtle performance as the tormented Dr. Crowe, far from his usual roles in comedies or action films. For his part, Haley Joel Osment He surprises with his interpretive maturity when he gives life to the character of Cole Sear at only 11 years old. Toni Collette She also excels as Cole’s concerned mother, bringing a palpable vulnerability to her character.
Fotogramas’ review of ‘The Sixth Sense’ highlights the surprising capacity of the film “based on extremely precise framing and a tone between disturbing and poetic that continually leaves doors open between reality and an inconcrete but very suggestive world.” of ghosts, spirits and apparitions that have nothing to do with gothic or bloody horror. This is austere horror (…), the ability to keep the viewer in suspense with very simple details (…) and a useful assimilation of echoes of David Lynch, David Cronenberg or Polanski.”
