Time: 106 Minutes
Age Rating: M
Cast:
Mel Gibson as Father Graham Hess
Joaquin Phoenix as Merrill Hess
Rory Culkin as Morgan Hess
Abigail Breslin as Bo Hess
Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Signs is one of M. Night Shyamalan’s most known movies, but developed something of a mixed reputation. Personally, when I first watched it, I found it to be just okay, even though I had some problems with it. After a while though I decided to revisit it and I’m glad I did, it’s much better than I remembered it being.

While the movie has aliens and is a take on an alien invasion, at its core, Signs isn’t about aliens. It is really a slow burn family drama and an emotional story about belief and faith. There is a fair number of thrills and twists, and a solid gradual build of tension and dread over the course of the film. As per Shamalan, some of the dialogue can be a little stiff, but even that could be endearing. There’s a good amount of intentional silliness and dry humour in between the tense and emotional parts of the movie. One of the main criticisms that the movie has received (and has especially taken off online) is a certain reveal towards the end of the movie. All I’ll say is that I wouldn’t defend this plot aspect, but the rest of the movie is so good that I can look past that.

Signs also has some top notch performances, with well realised characters. Mel Gibson gives a fantastic performance as a reverend who lost his faith after a family accident. Joaquin Phoenix is typically great and is a scene stealer as Gibson’s brother. Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin give really good performances too. The relationship between the family is at the centre of the film, and it is conveyed well between these four actors.

M. Night Shyamalan’s direction is top notch as usual. The cinematography and camerawork is excellent and striking, with creative and offputting angles, and beautiful framing. The rising tension is also effectively conveyed, he knows what to show and what not to show. The CGI can be a little wonky at points, mainly the aliens, so that’s part of the reason why the less you see of them, the better. Finally, it’s elevated further by a perfect score from James Newton Howard.

Signs is a very well crafted, suspenseful, heartfelt, strongly directed, character driven sci-fi thriller, with great performances, and a unique approach to the alien invasion film.