Thriller analysis

1. The Sixth Sense (Shyamalan, 1999)

2. Opening Atmosphere:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD5DIm3gUQU
(0:00-3:00)
The opening to the sixth sense begins with a
black screen. Nothing is given away and the
atmosphere created is anticipation as we wait to
see what happens.

3. Conventions:
• Traditional thriller conventions has been adapted hugely within the
opening scene of ‘The Sixth Sense’.
• The typical convention of having an isolated or an abandoned house could
be assumed however we are shown a woman approaching the cellar
suggesting she may be the owner of this house.
• The low lit lighting is also a common convention of a thriller.
• The idea of a female victim has also been portrayed through the opening.
She also appears scarred and not strong as her facial expression is worried
as she quickly hurries back up the stairs.
• The credits are written in chilled colors and fade out giving the opening a
very ghostly feel.

4. Credits: Text and Font
• From 0:00 to 2:50 we are shown the credits.
• The font is blue and background remains black not giving
anything away. The transitions slowly get bigger and then
fade out.
The production companies are first introduced,
Bruce Willis is mentioned first out of the cast list hinting he is the main character.
The name ‘The Sixth Sense’ is then shown.
The rest of the cast is then mentioned.
Finally the last name on the credits is the director.

5. Mise en scene:
• The opening of the sixth sense starts off with the credits and the
institutions up until 2mins 42. Then the first real shot is in a dark location.
• We do not see anything apart from the gradual lighting of the light bulb.
We then realise this is a cellar as we see the wine bottles and stairs
indicate it is underground. This can connote the thriller genre as this is a
common location for a thriller film.
• Then the enigma is created as we see the lady holding the wine bottle
tight to herself as we hear cracking noises. The shadows created by the
woman and low lighting create a chilling and tense feeling – common in
thrillers.

6. Sound:
• The music used in the opening of the sixth sense is old classical music. It
begins soft however dramatically builds up and sharpens when the title of
the film flashes on screen. This builds suspense common in thrillers.
• As the image of the light bulb gradually brightens, we can hear the
diegetic sound of the crackle of electricity highlighting the isolation in the
cellar.
• Other diegetic sounds such as creaking stairs and blowing wind are all
enigma codes to the audience and leads them us asking questions such as
‘is there someone else in the house?’.
• These all help us the audience figure out the genre it is.
• The speed of the music and change of the music comments on the action
in the movie and may even foreshadow what is to come.

7. Sound:
• The music used in the opening of the sixth sense is old classical music. It
begins soft however dramatically builds up and sharpens when the title of
the film flashes on screen. This builds suspense common in thrillers.
• As the image of the light bulb gradually brightens, we can hear the
diegetic sound of the crackle of electricity highlighting the isolation in the
cellar.
• Other diegetic sounds such as creaking stairs and blowing wind are all
enigma codes to the audience and leads them us asking questions such as
‘is there someone else in the house?’.
• These all help us the audience figure out the genre it is.
• The speed of the music and change of the music comments on the action
in the movie and may even foreshadow what is to come.