Common Sense Media Review
Suspenseful Shyamalan movie has extreme tension and peril.
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Signs
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 33 parent reviews
Based on 126 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a compelling mix of suspense and horror that balances emotional depth with some light language and intense scenes, making it suitable for older kids and teens. While some find it mildly scary with a few jump scares and themes around loss and faith, others appreciate it for its storytelling and character development, though caution is advised for sensitive viewers due to some disturbing elements.
- suspenseful moments
- emotional depth
- mild language
- suitable for teens
- jump scares
- intense scenes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Writer/producer/director M. Night Shyamalan's SIGNS is a story of a crisis of faith, a wise child, and something out there that is very, very disturbing but ultimately part of a pattern that supports and embraces all of us. Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) is a recent widower who lives with his two children and his brother (Joaquin Phoenix) on a farm in Pennsylvania. He was a minister but lost his faith when his wife was killed. He wakes up one night with a sense of dread. His children are not in bed. He runs out into the cornfield and his children show him that the stalks have been bent into a mysterious pattern. It can't have been made by a machine, because the stalks are not broken. And it can't have been done by hand, because the shapes are too perfectly even. It turns out that the strange signs have appeared all over the world. Graham wants to believe that the shapes are a prank or a hoax. He cannot bear the thought that his family could be vulnerable to more injury or loss.
Is It Any Good?
Signs is excellent but may be too intense for younger or more sensitive kids. Gibson is outstanding in a role that calls for subtlety, maturity, and a mixture of vulnerability and strength. The children, played by Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin, are just right. They act like smart kids who know what loss is and are scared but also tantalized by what is going on around them.
Shyamalan's use of the camera to tell the story is masterful. There is a moment when the screen goes completely black that will have viewers gasping. Shyamalan was clearly paying attention to Alfred Hitchcock and Steven Spielberg and has a few tricks of his own to contribute. His only mistake is in leaving too little to the imagination. Like his characters, he likes to have everything explained.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether they see patterns and purpose in what occurs around them and what it means to them. Where do people find their faith?
How was this movie suspenseful? How do music, camera angles, and sound effects heighten the tension? What if these elements weren't used to the degree that they were used in this movie? Would it be as intense?
This was a movie directed by M. Night Shyamalan, a director with his own distinct style. What are some aspects of his style? Who are some other directors with distinct filmmaking styles?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 2, 2002
- On DVD or streaming : January 7, 2003
- Cast : Joaquin Phoenix , Mel Gibson , Rory Culkin
- Director : M. Night Shyamalan
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Touchstone Pictures
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Run time : 106 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : scariness
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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