The Sixth Sense cheats having to establish a physical/psychological connection between characters. More importantly it focuses on how the characters interact with the environment.
Shyamalan uses long takes, with lots of spacial awareness, to establish what characters can/cant see. As well of this the use of point of view shots, moving camera and off screen sound grips the audience. The overall dull colours of the film, make it feel dark and dreary.
However there is one technique that is so subtle yet so effective. The use of the colour red. The red is used to represent the supernatural, the bridge between our world and the after life. Here is a run down of some of the red things in the film:
The church doors are red, Cole’s connection to God, him feeling safe. This is also where Cole first speaks to Malcom.
The red tent is Cole’s safe place, it contains toys and a shelf of religious figures.
Cole’s red jumper at the birthday party- accompanied by a red balloon that floats up the stairs. Cole is put in a cupboard where he hears a ghost sobbing.
The red door knob on Malcom’s office that he can never use.
Kyra’s mum, Mrs Collins, is wearing a red suit and lipstick at the funeral representing her connection to her daughters murder. Also there are red cards and candles on the mantle piece.
Malcom’s wife Anna is wearing red the WHOLE TIME! The red blanket she wraps herself in for comfort. The red dress she wears on their anniversary dinner. The red antidepressants thats show her grief over Malcom’s death.
Church doors 
Cole’s tent 
Anna’s antidepressants 
The Balloon 
Mrs Collins 
Malcom’s office door 
Anna at Dinner
The inventive thing about the movie is that at no point is the red overpowering. It’s subtle highlights allow the audience to notice it, but not ask too many questions as to why it is there. This brilliant tool brings the film together, making it a truly breathtaking film.
Filmography
A sixth Sense. 2021. [DVD] Directed by M. Shyamalan. Pennsylvania, USA: Hollywood Pictures.
Kayla Laisby 