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. Throughout the movie, there were three main moments/scenes of suspense that shocked and thrilled the audience. The first scene I will analyse was at the beginning of the movie. A husband and wife go into their room to find that their window had been smashed, and there was in intruder in their house.
The intense scene begins with the couple walking into their room. With the use of mise-en-scene, Shyamalan dims the lighting of the room so it looks dark and scary. This is a typical convention used in thrillers as it sets a sinister atmosphere. The low-key lighting within this scene highlights the character and also creates shadows on the surfaces behind them. Although a shadow is harmless, this is a typical technique used as it makes the audience feel as if there is something following or watching them at all times. Suddenly, the atmosphere becomes tense and suspense builds due to the use of diegetic sound, which was adopted for the audience to hear the wind howling and the broken glass cracking as they walk slowly across it. A high-angle shot is paired with this to capture the broken glass and other destruction that was caused by the break-in. Although this is not demonic or horrifying, it does reflect a terrifying realistic situation that could easily happen to anyone in the audience, therefore setting the daunting and 'thrilling' atmosphere. A mid-shot is then used to show the two characters facing the opposite direction to the camera. A black shadow then crosses them, showing the audience there is someone or something else present in their home.With the use of editing, the scene then cuts to a close-up camera shot of the couples distressed faces. Shyamalan uses diegetic sound through the wife screaming. This simple reaction causes tension for the audience as this expresses the characters utter fear and weakness. To pair with the diegetic sound, mise-en-scene is used through the characters costume. The female is in a dress that exposes her arms and chest, she is also wearing minimal makeup. This was presumably employed to reflect typical 'girly' stereotypes of a woman, which manifests her vulnerability. This is a typical convention for a thriller as it suggests something bad is going to happen due to her weakness.
With the use of camera shots, it's clear that the next part of the scene is shot with a hand-held device. The mid-shot captures the direction from which the shadow came from. This is also called a point of view shot as it shows the characters eye-line perspective. The shot seems to be shaky and unstable, which creates suspense and coheres to the thriller genre as it exemplifies how frightened the characters are, inevitably aiding the audience to experience the same emotions due to the atmosphere. Shyamalan uses a tracking shot to move the camera through the room, whilst the use of diegetic sound creates an eerie atmosphere as the character walks on the broken glass to find the intruder. The director then finally employs a creepy non-diegetic music, which begins when a mid-shot of the intruder appears on the screen. Through the use of mise-en-scene, the intruder's costume is plain, dirty underwear. The character is seen hunched over with a confused look on his face. The husband is seen with a distraught and petrified facial expression as he realises what danger they are in. With the use of the thrilling diegetic sound, mid-shot and mise-en-scene, the director was able to communicate to the audience that this intruder is dangerous, mad and almost wild-like through his lack of clothing. This inevitably creates suspense as it gives an ambiguous ending to the audience.
With the use of a close-up, the intruder is seen to pace towards to door-opening, his face appears distraught, which automatically sends a message to the audience that he is not mentally stable and is harmful. Another close-up is then used to show the husband moving backwards, and the females horrified facial expression. The husband explains that there are no prescription drugs in the house through the use of dialogue, showing the audience that this intruder is perhaps schizophrenic and is unable to think rationally. The non-diegetic music begins to get increasingly louder as the intruder starts to raise his voice, accusing the husband/doctor of not curing him of his mental problems. It appears that a subtle hint of white makeup has been used to make the intruder look washed-out, even ghostly. This use of mise-en-scene is effective because it shocks the audience, making them feel almost paralysed in fear as if something non-human is directly addressing them through the screen. Close-up camera shots are used to pan across the intruder's and husband/doctors face, to show how they are the main focuses in this scene. With the use of dialogue, the intruder addresses the doctor as 'hero' in a sarcastic manner, which suggests to the audience that this scene will end badly as it reflects a hero vs villain type complex; in which only one can win. To contrast their good and evil personalities, the director uses a cut-away to exemplify the difference between the calm 'heroes' face and the unstable 'villains' face, to ultimately make the audience feel on-edge. Through diegetic sound, the intruder then bangs on the door to express his anger and pain. This creates suspense because the audience will question whether he will take these violent out-bursts even further.
As the scene ends, the audience is startled by the intruder's reaction to the doctor's sympathy. The suspense comes to a sudden stop as the intruder picked up a gun and fired at the unarmed husband/doctor. This use of props almost shows the intruders weakness, by using a powerful weapon instead of putting up a fight or facing his problems by listening to the doctor. This sudden rush of suspense shocks the audience and coheres to the typical thriller genre as it kept them on the edge of their seat. This was due to eerie diegetic and non-diegetic sound, contrasting mise-en-scenes in regards to clothing, camera angles/shots and editing.
Second moment of suspense
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc5B-ercdKE
The second moment of suspense starred the main character of the movie, Cole Sear. In this scene, Cole debates whether he should go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. To the audience, this seems like a harmless action. However, to Cole, this is dangerous. Shyamalan uses firstly uses a close-up shot of Cole, who is poking his head slightly out of the door. This shot has quite a long duration, which suggests to the audience that the character is contemplating whether this is worth the risk. This creates suspense for the audience because they would be intrigued, yet frightened, to find out why Cole does not want to leave the safety of his room. During this camera shot, there is no sound. This is effective because it's eerie and often silence is more daunting than typical thriller music choices. The director uses a dark lighting through the use of mise-en-scene to show the audience that this is occurring at night. It's a known fact that individuals are more likely to be scared of the dark, in fear of what may be lurking around that they can't see. This typical thriller convention creates suspense as the audience is more likely to be scared of what may appear from the shadows.
The director employs the use of quick editing cuts, to switch to a long shot of the small boy standing at the bottom of a large, long and dark hallway. This could have been used to signify his vulnerability and innocence in compared to his surroundings. These typical stereotypes of young people make the audience feel edgy, as they are worried about what might happen to the small boy. As well as this, the director uses a typical costume choice consisting of a small white vest and boxers. This use of mise-en-scene aids in the perception of Cole as a young boy, as this is typically what mothers dress their young boys into wear to bed as pyjamas. With the use of diegetic sound, the director adds in the noise of a door squeaking as it slowly opens when the boy begins to run to the bathroom. This use of sound is effective and is also typical of a thriller movie as it breaks the silence and is eerie due to its high pitch.
When Cole reaches the bathroom, he is facing in the opposite direction to the camera. The director uses a long shot to include the long hallway into the shot. It's clear to the audience that something bad is about to occur, as this long shot implies that something is going to walk behind Cole. This is a great way to encourage the build up of suspense because the audience knows that the shot is far enough in order for the focus to not only be of the main character but also on something else that is far less 'innocent' or 'vulnerable'. Suddenly, the scene cuts to a close-up shot of a thermometer, which shows the declining temperature of the dark house. This creates a hostile atmosphere as it's as if something demonic or supernatural is present, this is due to ghost stories usually having something to do with a declining temperature. To aid in this build up of suspense, Shyamalan employs non-diegetic sound which is extremely eerie, it increases in volume which makes the audience feel more patronised. Suddenly, a woman walks across the camera directly behind Cole. As this happens, a loud bang startles the audience to let them know that this is not a welcoming presence. The camera cuts to a close-up of Cole's head, which slowly turns towards the camera as he senses the negative presence. The non-diegetic sound then uses a different type of instrument, that is loud and high-pitched; automatically paralysing the audience with fear. All of these factors created suspense as they worked together to build up to the main, thrilling, ending.
Once Cole's face turns towards the camera, the non-diegetic sound continues and increases in volume. Through the use of special effects in editing, Cole's heavy breathing becomes apparent due to the condensation that occurs once it leaves his trembling mouth. The same long-shot is then used to capture Cole, paralysed with fear. The use of the long-shot belittles him as it makes him look small against his surroundings. The audience feels connected to the boy as they almost understand what he is experiencing due to the realistic suspension. Similar to the first scene I analysed, the director uses a long shot of the hallway that is walked down with a hand-held device. The camera slowly moves towards the location of the entity. The shakiness of the camera creates tension and suspension for the audience because it brings the scene to life and makes it seem as realistic as possible. For instance, it suggests the idea that Cole is shaking, this builds tension because it encourages the audience to react in the same way. The adoption of a point of view shot is also useful because it makes the audience feel as if they are the one in the movie and the camera shot is in their own eyes.
Overall, the director has used
these different techniques and conventions to make Cole seem weak and
vulnerable to the powerful, unwelcome, presence. For example, Shyamalan employs mise-en-scene to make Cole look young
and vulnerable, he uses sound techniques such as diegetic and non-diegetic to
build suspense and the director also use's editing and camera shots to add
realism to each shot and make it thrilling and shocking for the audiences
entertainment.
Later on in the movie, Cole has one particular encounter with something paranormal that stands out to the audience and causes tension and suspense. The scene begins in a house that is unfamiliar to Cole and to the audience. He is at a birthday party. As he sits by himself, a red balloon catches his attention. The character watches this mysterious balloon float all up the long, spiral stairwell and disappear. Intrigued, Cole follows it.
The
first hint of suspense is when a medium close-up is used to show that Cole is
alone. The camera slowly pans towards him, which looks as if something is
following or moving towards him. As well as this, it also captures Cole's
shadow. This is similar to the technique used in the first scene I analysed as
it makes the audience feel as if there is something else present in the room.
Another way in which the director makes Cole look isolated and vulnerable, is
through a shallow-focus shot. This is because it blurs out his surroundings,
making it appear that there is perhaps no one around to protect him. This
creates suspense as the audience is then aware that something bad may happen,
in which no one will be able to save Cole. Once the panning stops, a close up
shot is used to capture Cole's face as he looks up above him. Although the shot
cuts quickly, this creates suspense as the audience becomes paranoid to see
what has caught Cole's attention. The screen then switches to a long shot the
red balloon. It's at first still, but once Cole pays attention to it, it begins
to move. Shyamalan may have employed this technique to make it seem as if
something is trying to lure Cole to an isolated area, where he is inferior and
weak.
As Cole makes his way up the stairs, the director uses a mid-shot to capture his shadow on the wall in front of him. Through the use of mise-en-scene, the lighting of the room appears dark and scary, as well as this, the music in the up-beat background from the party begins to decrease in volume. These techniques paired together are perhaps used to suggest to the audience that he is getting closer to danger. The lighting and camera shots show this well as Cole's shadow is creepy and looks almost as if a spirit is leading him up the stairs. The use of the fading diegetic sound causes suspension, as it strips the scene from the happier, more pleasant atmosphere that was created from the comfort of the busy party. Once Cole reaches the top of the stairs, the continuous use of diegetic sound is employed that sounds like a man whispering to himself. As Cole gets further up, the use of a medium close-up shows an image of a small, open door. Inside the door is nothing but darkness. With the additional diegetic sound, the audience is made to think that the voice is coming from the small dark room. The voice then becomes increasingly louder, demonic and hostile towards Cole. The voice yells 'open this door or i'll break through it and grab you'. As well as this dialogue, Shyamalan also uses background music in the form of non-diegetic sound, it's eerie and creates a dense, tension filled atmosphere for the audience. Another factor that creates tension, is that the aggressive voice says it is going to 'break through' if he doesn't open it, however the door is already open. This suggests to the reader that the person yelling is delirious as he seems to think he's trapped.
Shyamalan uses a close-up shot of Cole's face to exemplify his fear to the audience, thus creating tension as the audience feels as if they are in the same situation. Cole is then confronted by two boys of his age, who lock him in the dark and scary room as a joke. Little do they know, there is someone already waiting for the boy. Cole knows the danger of this and begins to scream. The director uses dialogue and loud bangs that come from Cole, pleading the boys to let him out. However, Cole's screaming comes to a sudden stop and is replaced with the diegetic sound of him pushing his body close to the door, as if he has realised he is not alone in the confined space. To break the silence, the diegetic sound of the red balloon popping frightens the audience as it's unexpected. Straight after the loud bang, Cole begins to scream. With the use of editing, short shot duration's are adopted to show how Cole's mother comes to his rescue. The use of the quick cuts expresses the mothers fear and panic as he rushes up the stairs to save him. This causes suspense as the audience is intrigued yet scared to find out what will happen when she opens the door for her traumatised son. However, she can't open the door. Cole's piercing screams make the mood of the scene tense and horrifying. A medium close-up of the mother trying to open the door is used to show the audience that he is for some reason trapped and can't get out. This was perhaps the entity's sadistic way of explaining to the audience that he is also trapped.The idea of a paranormal presence creates suspense, as it's something the audience would feel submissive and inferior to, meaning they would more likely be frightened.
To end the scene, the door finally unlocks and Cole is carried out by his mum in slow motion. The use of medium close-up causes suspense in this scenario, as the audience is now worried to find out what has happened to Cole to make him pass out in his mothers arms. This would more than likely create suspense for parents in the audience, as they would understand what it's like to care/ worry for a young child.
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