The Sixth Sense

Buena Vista Films
PG-13

The Sixth Sense exceeded my every expectation. What I feared was a sensational film, something gory and terrifying. I expected I might not make it through the whole thing without running from the theater. However, what I discovered was a drama packed with mystery. It was a movie that drew me into its themes, characters and story.

The Sixth Sense depicts the ongoing relationship of a child psychologist (Bruce Willis) with a young boy (Haley Joel Osment) who reportedly has regular contact with the dead. It also mixes in a good measure of interactions with others at home and in school, but primarily it examines the conversations Willis and Osment have as doctor and patient. The movie is suspenseful and imaginative, but its great worth--particularly in connection with young people--is its invitation to explore issues of fear, address deep feelings, and be open to transforming experiences. And, while it takes on these issues in relation to a specific experience of what many dismiss as "the paranormal," the movie more basically invites us to reflect on how we deal with the "depths" of our selves and psyches.

Make plenty of room for discussion following the viewing of this movie. Some one-on-one discussions might be necessary, too, since this film has the potential to stir up thoughts that a person otherwise might keep to her or himself.

Discussion questions

1. Early in the movie, we discover that Cole's parents recently divorced. He’s attached to things that belonged to his dad (the glasses, the broken watch, and the gloves he wears because the house is so cold). Similarly, within Cole’s "tent," he has a set of religious statues. What do you think motivates him to collect these things? How were these things helpful to him as he dealt with "the ghosts" or with his classmates? When has physically holding onto something helped you get through a difficult time?
2. Think about the day in the classroom when Cole objects to the way his teacher is looking at him. Talk about the feeling Cole has of being a freak, of being told he doesn’t fit in. Even if you don’t know anyone who thinks they see dead people like Cole did, can you identify people you've met or seen who others might consider freaks who don't fit in? What does this movie have to say regarding our treatment of others who may feel as though they don’t fit in?
3. What finally helps Cole deal with his encounters with the dead? Is that different than what might help us deal with our encounters with the living? (Remember the question that is asked throughout the movie: Do you have something to tell me?)
4. When Cole and Dr. Crowe are finished with their sessions together, Cole says to his mom "I’m ready to communicate with you now--to tell you my secrets." What changed in Cole so that he was finally able to talk to his mom more openly? When you have fears or secrets, whom can you tell?
5. In this movie, a lot of ideas come up about the dead and their ability to interact with people who are alive. Taking care not to shut down anyone’s ideas, ask what group members think about death and afterlife. As a group, consider what it means to take seriously someone else's different experience of life. Talk about the Church's teachings concerning death/afterlife. Share stories, too, about people who have had near-death experiences or of those who believe they have been in contact with the dead through their dreams (or by other means).
6. Dr. Crowe asks Cole, "If you could change something, anything--what would it be?" What would you change in your own life if you could?

Closing
As a group, read Psalm 130. Repeatedly, Cole voiced the opening lines of this psalm (he was speaking Latin). His attachment to it was likely motivated by fear; is there another message in this psalm beyond the naming of fear?

Another possibility for closing devotions is to read the December 5 devotion, "That Deep Place Inside Us" (page 317) in the Frederick Buechner book "Listening to Your Life"; 1992 Harper Collins.

Permission to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2005 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. ELCA Youth Ministries. 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2447. To offer your comments or responses, e-mail:  rod.boriack@elca.org.