The Sixth Sense (1999)

MOVIE SUMMARY:

A boy who communicates with spirits that don’t know they’re dead seeks the help of a disheartened child psychologist.

MOVIE THEMES:

The Nature of Death

The film explores this theme throughout. In this unusual thriller, some people are able to see dead people. One young boy has the ability to see and communicate with dead people. The film presents the idea that “dead people” sometimes don’t yet know that they are dead. They live in the real world until they recognize that they are dead. The film takes its cue from Psalm 130:1.

In the beginning of the film, the young boy Cole talks to some of his toys. One speaks the phrase in Latin:

De profundis clamo ad te, Domine.

Roughly translated, this means: Out of the depths, I cry out to You o Lord.

The film explores the nature of people who die. Taking its cue from this verse, it implies that people who have died have not left to another place. Instead, they stay for a time before passing on to somewhere else.

The Bible does not teach that ghosts exist. Instead, when one dies, they immediately go to one of two places: Heaven or Hell. The difference is whether one has made a decision to follow Jesus Christ or not. Because God forgave our sins through Jesus Christ (Psalm 130:3-4), one can overcome death. Jesus said that He is the Way to Heaven (John 14:1-6).

Everlasting Love

In marriage, the couple makes a vow to love each other “until death do we part.” In this film, Dr. Malcolm Crowe deals with the love of his wife. Throughout the film, Dr. Malcolm Crowe struggles with the emotional ties to his wife. He spends time working with Cole and it puts a strain on his wife. In the end, we discover that Dr. Crowe has been dead since the first scene. Yet, throughout the film, he does his best to make things right with his wife.

The Bible states that love is stronger than death (Song of Solomon 8:14). It also says that nothing can separate a Christian from the love of God in Jesus Christ – not even death (Romans 8:38-39).

QUESTIONS:

The film talks about a boy who can “see dead people.”
Life, death, and love are the themes which are intertwined in the film. How can love be stronger than death?
The film explores the idea that dead people stay on Earth until they have accomplished certain tasks. What does the Bible say about this idea?