M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense: An Unforgettable Plot Twist

One of the most memorable and talked-about plot twists in recent cinematic history is the ending of M. Night Shyamalan's 1999 thriller, The Sixth Sense. The film centres around child psychologist Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) who is haunted by the failure to help a former patient and is determined to redeem himself by helping a young boy named Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) who claims to see and communicate with ghosts.

Throughout the film, Crowe becomes increasingly invested in Cole's well-being and mental state, while also struggling with his own personal issues in his marriage. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the ghosts Cole sees are not just figments of his imagination but actual spirits of dead people who are seeking his help to resolve unfinished business on earth.

Spoilers ahead.

The film's plot twist comes in its climactic scene when it is revealed that Crowe himself is actually dead, having been shot by a former patient at the beginning of the film. The audience is forced to reexamine all of the clues and moments from the movie in a new light, realizing that Dr Crowe's interactions with his wife, who appeared distant and unresponsive, were actually a manifestation of his own unresolved issues. Crowe had been seeing Cole as a way to reconcile his guilt for not helping the previous patient and to finally accept his own death.

This revelation completely upends the audience's understanding of the narrative and forces them to reassess every scene and interaction between Crowe and the other characters in the film. Suddenly, small details like Crowe's inability to open doors or touch his wife take on a whole new meaning, as does Cole's ability to see him when no one else can.

What makes this plot twist so effective is its complete subversion of expectations. Throughout the film, Crowe is presented as the hero who is trying to help Cole, and the audience is invested in his journey to redemption. The revelation that he is actually a ghost not only catches the audience off guard but also reframes the entire story in a new light.

Moreover, the twist is not just a cheap gimmick but is built on a foundation of character development and emotional resonance. Crowe's arc throughout the film is about overcoming his own self-doubt and finding a way to make a positive impact on the world, even after his death. The truth that he has been dead all along underscores this theme and brings it to a powerful conclusion.

Overall, the plot twist in The Sixth Sense is one of the best in film history because it is surprising, impactful, and emotionally resonant. It turns the entire story on its head while still feeling like a natural extension of the characters and themes that were established earlier in the film. It's a testament to the power of good storytelling and a reminder of why plot twists can be so effective when done right.