M. Night Shyamalan‘s 1999 masterpiece, The Sixth Sense, released in theaters on August 6, 1999, is a chilling and profoundly emotional supernatural thriller that masterfully blends suspense with genuine human drama. The film is a testament to the power of original storytelling and remains a benchmark for the genre.
The film centers on Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis), a celebrated child psychologist in Philadelphia, who is grappling with the trauma of a past case. He takes on a new patient, a young boy named Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), who is withdrawn and deeply troubled.
Cole confides in Crowe with the now-iconic line, “I see dead people.” As Crowe attempts to help Cole understand and cope with his extraordinary ability, their bond deepens.
The story follows Crowe and Cole through their sessions, as Cole reveals more about the ghosts that haunt him and Crowe’s personal life unravels.
The film features strong supporting performances from Toni Collette as Cole’s concerned mother, Lynn, and Olivia Williams as Crowe’s estranged wife, Anna.
Donnie Wahlberg also makes a memorable appearance as Crowe’s former patient, and Mischa Barton has a small but impactful role as one of the ghosts Cole encounters.
Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense (Photo/Hollywood Pictures)
Reception for The Sixth Sense
The Sixth Sense grossed $26.7 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 1 at the box office.
The film would remain in the top spot at the box office for five weeks and inside the top 10 for its first 15 weeks en route to grossing $293.5 domestically, surpassing The Empire Strikes Back as the tenth highest grossing film of all time.
The Sixth Sense would gross $672.8 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars in his review.
Lasting Legacy
The Sixth Sense is celebrated for its gripping narrative, phenomenal performances, and, most famously, its shocking twist ending. The film’s final reveal is so well-executed and genuinely surprising that it redefined audience expectations for plot twists.
It made Shyamalan a household name and cemented his reputation as a master of suspense.
The film also launched the career of Osment, whose performance earned him an Oscar nomination and remains one of the most iconic child actor roles in film history. Willis’s understated and empathetic portrayal of Dr. Crowe demonstrated a new depth to his acting.
The film’s themes of grief, communication, and redemption resonate long after the credits roll, proving that it is more than just a horror movie—it’s a powerful human story.
