M. Night Shyamalan's first movie is a brilliant psychological thriller with a fantastic twist.

Rating: 10/10 (23 April 2005)

Starring: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment Director M. Night Shyamalan pretty much came out of nowhere. We weren't expecting him or what he was going to bring to us, but then, he was there. And he left a huge impact on the film industry.
His first film, The Sixth Sense, which he wrote and directed, and played a small role in, is an eerie psychological thriller. It's the horror movie that isn't a horror movie. It doesn't make you jump out of your seat and crap your pants, but it leaves you with this creepy, eerie feeling.
Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Willis) is a child psychologist. After winning an award for his work, he comes home one night to find that one of his old patients is waiting for him in his house. With a gun. The patient shoots Malcolm and then turns the gun on himself.
Several years later Malcolm comes across an interesting case. Cole Sear (Osment) has a problem that he doesn't want to tell anybody about. Cole starts talking to Malcolm, and Malcolm slowly learns more about Cole. He discovers that he has cuts on his arms, that he kleptos from churches, that he speaks Latin. He wears his father's old glasses and watch. Malcolm decides very quickly that Cole is a very interesting, very bright, but very disturbed child.
Eventually, after Cole feels that he can trust Malcolm, he tells Malcolm his secret. He sees dead people. People who walk among us, not even knowing that they are dead. Nobody else can see them, but he can.
The movie has several very creepy moments when dead people with pieces of their head missing, or massive cuts, or vomiting, appear to Cole and try to talk to him. Cole cannot figure out why they come to him, and they scare him to death.
Malcolm eventually helps Cole realize that he is the only that can help these people. Cole learns how to conquer his fear and talk to the dead people and to help them with their issues.
Osment does a superb job of acting in this film, especially considering his age. Willis also does a fine job, but the spotlight is always on Haley.
Bottom Line: 4 out of 4 (own this movie)