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How ‘The Sixth Sense’ trapped M. Night Shyamalan in a twist ending forever

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How 'The Sixth Sense' trapped M. Night Shyamalan in a twist ending forever

As a cinephile who’s been around the block more times than I care to count, I can confidently say that “The Sixth Sense” is one of those rare films that left an indelible mark on my cinematic journey. The twist at the end, for me, was like discovering a long-lost relative in an unexpected corner of the family tree. It was a revelation that not only made the story more poignant but also served as a stark reminder of the power of narrative and the human condition.

(Caution: This article may reveal the plot of “The Sixth Sense,” so if you haven’t watched it yet, you might want to skip this piece.)

Approximately halfway through “The Sixth Sense,” Bruce Willis’ character Malcolm, a caring child psychologist, aims to comfort Haley Joel Osment’s character Cole, a troubled boy grappling with secrets he’s too afraid to share. In an attempt to entertain Cole at bedtime, Malcolm starts telling a story, but it becomes rambling and unengaging. Eventually, the 9-year-old takes control, offering suggestions on how to make a captivating narrative. “You need some surprises and turns,” he advises.

M. Night Shyamalan carefully followed the guidance of his characters, as it’s been a quarter of a century since his unexpected box office success was unveiled. This film became one of the biggest hits of 1999, earning six Academy Award nominations, including best picture (which is unusual for a horror movie). However, the aspect that has left an enduring impression – perhaps even more so than Cole’s famous line “I see dead people” – was its introduction to the intricate allure of expertly crafted third-act plot twists. While there were notable plot twists in films prior to “The Sixth Sense”, like those in “Planet of the Apes” and “Soylent Green”, what Shyamalan accomplished left a lasting impact on his subsequent work, his overall career, and our appreciation for unexpected ending surprises in other filmmakers’ movies. The twist was gripping and remained unforgettable.

As a cinephile reminiscing about my first encounter with “The Sixth Sense,” I can’t help but reflect on the rare privilege of reading the screenplay as a spec script in September 1997, long before it was acquired by Hollywood Pictures for an astounding $2.25 million. In those days, original high-concept ideas like “Basic Instinct” were frequently snapped up for seven figures. The buzz surrounding this enigmatic script was already palpable even before the development executives had a chance to read it, all because of its mysterious premise that was yet to be revealed.

“In the late ’90s, when I was working under Anne Helmstadter, vice president of Maysville Pictures, run by producer Robert Lawrence and George Clooney during his ‘ER’ years, I vividly recall one spec script that stood out,” I reminisce. “Agents would routinely send us a few spec scripts daily, and most were disappointing. But this one, I remember, came with unique circumstances.” (Full disclosure: At the time, Anne was my supervisor.)

How 'The Sixth Sense' trapped M. Night Shyamalan in a twist ending forever

As a passionate movie enthusiast, let me tell you that “The Sixth Sense” stood out from the rest. The agent’s words were, “It’s heading your way, and you need to read it urgently.” Just like many in Hollywood, I promptly delved into the script, bracing myself for a cut-throat competition among studios to secure this promising project. Looking back, I recall pondering, “Something significant is going to transpire – what could it be?” Yet, I never fathomed the twist that was lurking around the corner.

Aditya Sood, aged 48, who began his career in the entertainment business as an assistant at Mark Johnson Productions in 1997, was assigned to retrieve a roughly 120-page script directly from United Talent Agency. By the time he returned to the office, Sood, who is now the president of Lord Miller Productions, which produced the Oscar-winning “Spider-Verse” films, had read around 60 pages. He recounts, “I remember being on Page 119 and thinking, ‘Wow, this is one of the best scripts I’ve ever encountered.’ As I turned the page, I was further impressed by the script’s quality even before reaching the climax — and then the climax simply astounded me.”

As a cinephile, I can confidently say that this movie left an indelible mark on many minds, including my own. You know that friend who boasts about figuring out “The Sixth Sense’ twist? Well, they might think they’re clever, but the film’s impact was so profound that even those who tried to dismiss its greatness as predictable couldn’t help but feel compelled to challenge its brilliance.

As a movie enthusiast, I can say that the twist in “The Sixth Sense” was nothing short of remarkable, even if it didn’t resonate with everyone. What truly made this film stand out was its audacity, as it dared to tread where few films had gone before. Unlike other twists that revolved around characters discovering secrets about their surroundings, this one focused on Malcolm discovering a profound truth about himself – he was so engrossed in making amends for a failed patient who contemplated suicide, he failed to notice that he himself had been fatally wounded.

As a devoted reader and fan, I can’t help but confess my rollercoaster-like affection for plot twists. Writers such as O. Henry have left me spellbound with their ingenious conclusions that leave readers gasping for breath. Just like “The Twilight Zone,” those unexpected endings that send a shiver down your spine are always a thrill to encounter. The climax of “The Sixth Sense” under the guidance of Helmstadter, the founder of the Story Immersion Project, is nothing short of magical – a moment where everything falls into place with a surprising yet inevitable clarity, and you find yourself whispering, ‘Oh, of course! It all makes sense.’

Despite the intrigue a twist ending can bring, it often leaves viewers feeling deceived or betrayed, as if the filmmaker has broken an unspoken pact with the audience. We expect the movie to be honest with us, and when we discover at the end that we’ve been misled, it can feel like a violation. However, the best twist endings manage to avoid feeling like cheap tricks by having a solid narrative structure that makes sense in retrospect, even if we initially resent being deceived. “The Sixth Sense” is still popular because, although some scenes may seem awkward on second thought, the protagonist’s limited perspective holds up well over multiple viewings and contributes to the film’s overall intrigue.

M. Night Shyamalan’s anonymity worked to his advantage when he sold “The Sixth Sense” in 1997. At that time, he had only directed a few lesser-known films, such as the independent drama “Praying With Anger” (1992) and “Wide Awake,” which didn’t come out until 1998, making audiences unaware of his talent. Consequently, they were taken aback when his groundbreaking work premiered, given that he was just 29 years old at the time.

In much the same way that a famous actor is often connected to a particular role they played and struggle to escape its shadow, M. Night Shyamalan became synonymous with his signature plot twists. These twists, found in many of his later films, were so prevalent that he came to be known for them. However, while some twists were intriguing, the impact lessened over time, even in instances where the twist was strong. As Sood recounts, “I recall receiving the ‘Unbreakable’ script,” referring to Shyamalan’s subsequent film. “It was a unique experience because we were anticipating the twist.”

How 'The Sixth Sense' trapped M. Night Shyamalan in a twist ending forever

One way of paraphrasing the given text could be: “One reason why the ending of ‘The Sixth Sense’ remains memorable is that we weren’t anticipating its surprise. However, such a shocking revelation can only work once. Consequently, what initially moved us in ‘The Sixth Sense’ quickly transformed into a cliche or, in the case of M. Night Shyamalan’s 2004 film ‘The Village’, it validated those who thought he was a director with limited skills. The focus shifted from evaluating his artistry to assessing the quality of the twist. Regrettably, the standard for judging his work became, “How good is the twist?””

As a film enthusiast with over two decades of watching movies and analyzing their plots, I can attest that it has become increasingly difficult to find great twist endings in films produced during the last 25 years. While there have been a few exceptional cases like “Fight Club,” “The Others,” and “Shutter Island” whose final reveals were deeply moving and tragic for their protagonists, most other attempts at surprise twists have fallen flat. I recall being left disappointed by movies such as Paul Feig’s “Last Christmas” and last year’s “All of Us Strangers.” In the former, it was painfully obvious that Henry Golding’s character was dead from the start; in the latter, the twist ending was somewhat undermined for me when I noticed that Andrew Scott’s character only ever interacted with Paul Mescal’s character without anyone else present. This has made me more cautious about trusting twist endings, as the many instances of ludicrous and unrealistic twists have left a bitter taste in my mouth. It seems that M. Night Shyamalan has conditioned us to never let our guard down when it comes to unexpected plot twists.

He will never escape his movie’s most enduring legacy. With each new Shyamalan film, publications re-rank his twist endings. In a 2019 interview, the New York Times asked him to name the biggest plot twist in his own life. In a sense, he’s trapped: When his movies have a twist, we compare it unfavorably with the one in “The Sixth Sense,” and if they don’t have a twist, we feel weirdly let down.

Reflecting on my work last year, someone questioned me about the frequent twists in my movies. To this, I replied, “I don’t dwell on it. If I were to criticize criticism, their influence on art hasn’t exactly been stellar.” This was a concise, perhaps defensive response, suggesting that maybe I do ponder over such comments. As a creator in the realm of thrillers and mysteries, I embrace the unpredictable endings inherent to these genres. However, my reliance on shocking revelations has, at times, cast a shadow on my cinematic journey, resulting in a somewhat inconsistent filmmaking career for me.

After a span of 25 years, M. Night Shyamalan’s career has had its highs and lows, successes and failures, twists that succeeded and twists that fell flat. His recent film, “Trap,” with an unremarkable conclusion, struggled during its opening weekend, leaving its financial success uncertain. Whether fairly or not, he continues to face criticism for achieving something challenging in storytelling and then attempting it again. Landing a satisfying ending is difficult; creating one that leaves viewers stunned, making us question everything we’ve just witnessed, is nearly impossible. Perhaps if he stops trying for such endings, we might have forgiven him by now.

The unique, thought-provoking twist in M. Night Shyamalan’s story was similar to a magical secret, as Cole tells Malcolm, demonstrating an understanding beyond his years. What makes magic enchanting is its scarcity; it isn’t meant for repetition.

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2024-08-06 13:32

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