The Sixth Sense
- Review Date: October 17, 2004
- PG-13
- Genre: Thriller
- 1999
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Common Sense Media says
Great, but sometimes scarier than R-rated horror.
 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has some thoughtful and meaningful views on life and death that some viewers may find comforting, and others may find sad or disturbing. The ghosts that Cole sees are of people who died violently and they are gruesome, even shocking, in appearance; you'll see a shooting, a suicide, a poisoning, people hanging, and more. Some of the dead are children, one killed by her own mother.
What's the story?
Bruce Willis plays Dr. Malcolm Crowe, a gifted therapist who specializes in children. The night he receives an award for his work, a former patient breaks into his house and shoots Dr. Crowe and then himself. Months later, Dr. Crowe is still very shaken. He feels that he can't communicate with his wife. He is treating just one patient, a boy named Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), who reminds him of the patient he believes he failed. Malcolm gradually wins Cole's trust, and Cole confides that he sees "dead people." At first, Malcolm thinks this is a symptom of deep psychological disturbance, but then he comes to believe that Cole really does see the spirits of people who have died and he must find a way to make that experience less terrifying for him.
Is it any good?
This is one of the rarest of movie treats, a thinking person's thriller that is genuinely haunting. You're lucky if you see a movie that you are still thinking about it hours later. Its ultimate conclusion is stunning but, in retrospect, inevitable. Parents should not be misled by the PG-13 rating. This movie is in some ways far scarier than the R-rated The Blair Witch Project. Parents should be cautious about allowing children under high school age to watch it, and should be prepared to talk to kids about the movie, because even teens may find it upsetting.
Osment is truly sensational, one of the finest performances ever given by a child. Willis complements him perfectly, and the interaction between the two of them is deeply touching. This movie has some thoughtful and meaningful views on life and death that some viewers may find comforting, and others may find sad or disturbing.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about ghost stories. What makes this one particularly gripping? How does the director scare you without going for the over-the-top violence?
Families could lead into a discussion on loss. Have you lost someone important to you? How does the thought about losing someone make you feel? Where do people go when they die?
Families could talk about the importance of communication.
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 13 years old
March 1, 2010
AGE
Great scary flick for tweens and anyone above.
I just recently saw this movie, and loved it. There were a few parts that made me jump, but otherwise I thought this had a great message to help others, not be afraid, and believe in the supernatural. Overall it was a great film
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Teen, 13 years old
April 6, 2011
AGE
great movie... some iffy violence though
I love this movie! It has great actors and a great plot. I don't think it is very viloent but there are moments that make you jump out of your seat though at though. There are no ther issues besides that. I really don't get how this was rate PG-13 it is deffinitly more like a PG movie. I suggest watching it twice if
your younger because at some points it gets some what confusing. It has a great twist ending. I don't really consider it a
horror movie. It is more like a drama. It deals with real life issues but with supernatural twists. It is a must see movie for all ages
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Adult
April 22, 2011
AGE
good for 12+
I love this movie, its really cool , there are some scary parts in the movie but its only on thje people that the boy is seeing. It is not the scariest movie ever, but it is very cool to see in the end... its very suprising and u should definatly watch it!!!! , its really good... in the end ur going to be amazing and be like OMGG
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Kid, 12 years old
November 7, 2009
AGE
I've seen this movie, and it is a wonderful movie, masterfully made. M. Night Shyamalan did a wonderful job on this. Although, this movie contains extremely horrifying, disturbing, and sometimes graphic images that may severely shock younger kids for a good period of time. No one under 15 should watch this movie, in my opinion.
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Teen, 15 years old
April 27, 2011
AGE
Perfect first horror film
Personally, I think this is a perfect first horror film for preteens interested in the genre. Some scenes are creepy, mainly because of the looks of some ghosts after they die, but most parents will agree it is not horrible. Kids will like this story, and be intrigued by its surprises.
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Teen, 16 years old
December 22, 2010
AGE
M. Nights best movie
Realllly Scary like legit scary. But the twist still rocks even today
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Adult
October 3, 2010
AGE
Creepy Movie Gone Too Far
This movie has some pretty intense, creepy scenes for younger children and teens. Not a movie for anyone under 16 unless they don't fear anything.
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Teen, 13 years old
April 12, 2011
AGE
Awesome horror flick
I honestly hope that's not the real MPAA rating. Grossness? Anyway, an AMAZING movie, really creepy, edge of your seat, and the ending is crazy. The whole movie is about dead people and spirits, and people walk around looking the way they did when they died. (Gunshot wounds, slit wrists, sickness) One scene in the beginning that's a little iffy. First, the couple gets drunk and goes upstairs, and start taking clothes off in a suggestive way, but is interrupted by a quite intense sequence. An insane man screams at the main character, played by Bruce Willis, and eventually fires a gun at him and shoots himself. My MPAA rating: PG-13 for some frightening images, intense thematic material, and brief sensuality.
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Teen, 14 years old
April 11, 2011
AGE
Iconic horror film will be fine for older kids.
Violence- 7/10
Good Messages- 6/10
Good Role Models- 6/10
Overall Quality- 8.5/10
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Teen, 13 years old
April 21, 2011
AGE
Wow, what a good movie.Absolutley amazing. Not as scary as i thought it would be a few scary bits but nothing a twelve year old couldnt handle. Wow amazing twists thats all im gonna say ;D
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| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | M. Night Shyamalan |
| Cast: | Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette |
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Run time: | 106 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 18, 1999 |
| DVD release date: | March 28, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | language, scariness, and some grossness |
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