Analysis of The Sixth Sense

1. THE SIXTH SENSE
THE SIXTH SENSE IS A 1999 AMERICAN SUPERNATURAL HORROR-THRILLER FILM WRITTEN AND
DIRECTED BY M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN. THE FILM TELLS THE STORY OF COLE SEAR (HALEY JOEL
OSMENT), A TROUBLED, ISOLATED BOY WHO IS ABLE TO SEE AND TALK TO THE DEAD, AND AN
EQUALLY TROUBLED CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST (BRUCE WILLIS) WHO TRIES TO HELP HIM. THE FILM
ESTABLISHED SHYAMALAN AS A WRITER AND DIRECTOR, AND INTRODUCED THE CINEMA PUBLIC TO
HIS TRAITS, MOST NOTABLY HIS AFFINITY FOR SURPRISE ENDINGS.

2. CAMERAWORK:
• The camerawork in this opening scene creates a tense, eerie atmosphere. The scene opens with a close-
up of a lightbulb turning on. This stationary shot creates an eerie mood, as it draws out the length of
the scene. We are then shown an extreme close-up of a woman’s face as she searches a wine cellar. This
coupled with the camera tracking her face as she searches for the wine lets the audience know that this
character is important to the scene. When she hears a noise behind her, the camera zooms in on her
face to signify this realisation. When she turns, the camera is positioned in a mid-range shot. This shot
shows her as the only person in the room (supposedly), which further heightens the tension. The final
shot of this scene is a long shot of the woman. This creates the effect of someone watching her from
afar. She is out of focus in this shot, this conveys her insignificance to the large scale of the story, and
whatever’s watching her.

3. MISE EN SCENE
• The Mise en Scene in this opening sequence creates a ghostly, chilling effect on the audience. Firstly,
the character’s costume is a dress – something commonly associated with elegance and grace.
However, I believe that in this scene, it adds to the overall disturbing nature. This is due to the fact that
this pre-perceived elegance adds to the exaggerated stillness and quiet of the scene. Moreover, the
dress is composed of two colours: dark blue and purple. These are two colours that connote sadness
and other-worldly beings. The actress’ makeup had the same effect as the dress, an over exaggerated
feeling of safety and perfection, which leads the audience into a trap of false hope. Low-level lighting is
used effectively in this opening sequence to deepen the darkness of the shadows and dark colours in
this scene. This adds a dark and sombre feel to the entire scene, as darkness connotes to negative
emotions and insecurity. In addition, the rustic look of the flooring and walls juxtaposes the elegance
that radiates from the woman. This creates a feeling of unease in the viewer, as the woman appears
extremely out of place in her environment. This idea is supported by the use of props. She clutches the
wine bottle close to her chest, as (much like her) it is the only elegant thing in the room.

4. EDITING
• The editing in this scene is very slow-placed, this adds to the eerie atmosphere of the scene.

5. SOUND
• The lack of ambient sound in this scene draws the audience’s attention to the action on-screen.
Additionally, the physical sound of everything else is amplified, this immediately engages the audience
with this character’s every move. The diegetic sound of the woman stepping increases the tension with
every step. Additionally, when the credits stop, the non-diegetic music also cuts out. This makes this
opening scene more ethereal and ghost-like.

6. WHAT WE COULD ASK
• Who is this woman?
• Is there someone watching her?
• Who is watching her?
• Where is she?
• Why is she dressed-up?
• Why did the lights cut out?

7. WHAT WE HAVE LEARNT
• This woman is attending some sort of social event
• She is collecting wine from the wine cellar
• The owner of the house must be quite wealthy
• Something is watching her