"The Others" vs. "The Sixth Sense"

Many people feel that these two films share many similarities, so why not make a specific comparison?

Firstly, both films use psychological suspense as their main thriller mechanism, with layers of suspense and rising climaxes. Secondly, they both feature a surprising twist ending akin to O. Henry's style, which is unexpected yet makes sense in the context of the story. Furthermore, both movies subvert traditional beliefs in the supernatural as they can be seen as telling the story from the perspective of the supernatural elements. Lastly, the stories in both films involve children, and the actors playing alongside the children are known for their acting skills.

Now, let's delve into the differences between the two films:

Film Themes:

Although the presentation and plot elements in both films are somewhat similar, they differ in their core themes.

In "The Sixth Sense," the story revolves around the transformation of a young boy who can see ghosts from initially fearing them to later helping them. It portrays the helplessness and loneliness of these ghosts. Iconic lines in the movie like "They don't know they're dead" and "They only see what they want to see," along with the revelation that the protagonist himself is a ghost, evoke sympathy for the helpless ghosts.

On the other hand, "The Others" places the central focus on the ghosts, allowing the audience to witness their daily lives. Despite the eerie elements, their actions and behaviors are not significantly different from those of living people. In the film's conclusion, the main character teaches her two children to say, "This house is ours forever," echoing the English title of the film, "The Others," which suggests that for ghosts, humans are "The Others." The movie emphasizes that "the living and the dead should learn to live together," challenging traditional beliefs and promoting a novel theme of "equality between humans and ghosts."

In summary, "The Others" presents a more complex and profound theme. "The Sixth Sense" explores just one aspect of a broader theme. "The Others" dares to challenge traditional beliefs, providing a deeper and more impactful thematic message, making it stand out in this aspect.

Narrative Techniques:

Both films fall into the thriller and suspense genres, and their narrative techniques differ in terms of how they build suspense.

In "The Sixth Sense" uses a concise and straightforward approach to suspense. The sole main storyline follows a child psychologist diagnosing and treating a young boy. The therapist is surprised to find that after a series of diagnoses and treatment, the boy's condition doesn't get any better. The therapist reaches the conclusion that the boy is incurable when the latter claims he can see ghosts. The film focuses primarily on this storyline, and other elements are quickly introduced, resulting in a tightly woven narrative that captivates the audience from the beginning. The storytelling is straightforward and clean, which makes the unexpected twist ending even more shocking, leaving many viewers in tears.

On the other hand, "The Others" employs a more complex and indirect narrative approach. The film has two main storylines: the evolving relationship between the protagonist Grace and her two children, and the revelation of the true identities of the three new servants. Unlike the director of "The Sixth Sense," the director of "The Others" excels in creating confusion to lay the groundwork for the final revelation. The film is filled with misleading details, and the two storylines develop in parallel, creating a tangled and intricate plot. For instance, there are hints about "that day" that Grace and the children avoid discussing from the beginning, and Anne comments about her mother going crazy. Additionally, Mrs. Mills, the head servant, often appears to have a secretive expression, hints that they are up to something, and the deliberate focus on the pills she gives Grace raises suspicion that they might have hallucinogenic effects. The director uses these small details to engage the audience's imagination, indirectly creating a sense of horror. While all these suspenseful elements become clear by the end, this narrative style can be confusing for some viewers, making it difficult to understand the plot and potentially affecting the overall reception of the film.

In summary, some argue that "The Sixth Sense" is too commercial and mainstream, but its concise and straightforward narrative style is well-suited to the modern audience, making it easier to grasp and leaving a profound impact. Despite its commercial elements, this is one of its strengths when compared to "The Others."

Acting Performances:

Both films revolve around stories related to children, with A-list actors taking on the lead roles, including the elegant Nicole Kidman and charismatic Bruce Willis.

In "The Sixth Sense," Bruce Willis delivers a solid performance, especially for an actor known for action roles. However, it's Haley Joel Osment, the young star, who steals the show. With his cute appearance and endearing character, he rose to fame with this performance. Watching the movie, you'll find yourself emotionally engaged with this child. While not perfect, his performance is close to it.

In "The Others," Nicole Kidman's acting is nothing short of exceptional! It's hard to find anyone who can deny this. She perfectly embodies the character with her icy beauty and statuesque figure, exactly as the role requires. Her acting makes this neurotic character both lovable and hateful. Even it's revealed that she personally killed her two children, who would be willing to blame her? One particularly impressive detail is the scene where Grace is grieving, lying on the bed, and her husband Charles begins to kiss her back. She gradually turns around, their lips meet, and as they kiss, a tear runs horizontally down Grace's face. In comparison, the child actors in the film have quite a bit of room for improvement. Among the three servants, Mrs. Mills appears to be a seasoned actress, and her scenes alongside Nicole Kidman are particularly remarkable.

In summary, in terms of acting performances, it's challenging to find any faults in "The Sixth Sense," which gives it an edge over "The Others."

These three key points roughly encompass my understanding of both films. The purpose of this article is not only to stimulate discussion but also to encourage the creation of more outstanding horror films like these. I believe many share this expectation, so let's keep a close eye on upcoming releases!