Haley Joel Osment Reflects on The Sixth Sense & Bruce Willis 25 Years Later

As a seasoned movie critic with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that M. Night Shyamalan and Haley Joel Osment‘s collaboration on “The Sixth Sense” was nothing short of a cinematic game-changer. Reflecting on the 25-year anniversary of this iconic film, it’s hard for me to believe that so much time has passed since we were all left scratching our heads in disbelief at the twist ending.

It’s remarkable how quickly 25 years have passed since M. Night Shyamalan and Haley Joel Osment rose to fame with “The Sixth Sense” – a fact that seems unbelievable for us, as well as for Osment himself. Reflecting on the filming of that movie, Osment shared with MovieWeb ahead of his new project, “Blink Twice“, “It feels like it wasn’t so long ago.” However, considering all the events that have unfolded since the release of the movie, he acknowledges that indeed, a quarter-century has passed. He is grateful that the film continues to resonate with audiences today.

“For our 25th anniversary, we didn’t organize any unique events, but for our 20th, Night and I showed a screening at Hollywood Forever, followed by a Q&A session with Jordan Peele. It was quite an extraordinary experience. Interestingly, many people were unaware of the ending, and it hadn’t been spoiled for them, which added to the excitement.”

Osment mentioned maintaining contact with key figures involved in The Sixth Sense, including Bruce Willis. He shared an amusing link between Blink Twice and Shyamalan’s recent thriller. “I haven’t talked to him for a while, but I know his daughters somewhat. In the years following the movie, he was great at staying in touch and would often leave messages on my answering machine at home.”

“Over the years, I’ve spent many nights together. Last summer, I attended what seemed to be his 50th birthday bash in Pennsylvania. An interesting aspect of this 25th anniversary is that we will both have our films playing in cinemas simultaneously during August – ‘Blink Twice’ and ‘Trap’. It’s quite exciting!”

‘Strong Memories’ of Throwback Cinema

Since the release of “The Sixth Sense,” movies as a form of expression have undeniably progressed in various aspects, although some elements have remained consistent. As Osment reminisced over his career spanning decades, he pointed out several technical advancements that stood out to him. Previously, we shot everything on film, and I vividly recall the process of inspecting the gate and listening to the sound of the film moving through the canister. This experience is now a thing of the past.

As someone who was fortunate enough to be surrounded by extraordinary artists during my formative years, I can honestly say that their influence has been immeasurable in shaping my perspective on filmmaking and storytelling. While the tools of our trade may evolve with technological advancements, the fundamental elements of crafting a compelling narrative, creating believable characters, and weaving them into a cohesive whole remain steadfast. These essential components are not likely to undergo dramatic transformations in the foreseeable future.

In “Blink Twice,” Osment’s latest film, we see an excellent demonstration of this concept. This pulse-pounding thriller boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes Channing Tatum, Kyle MacLachlan, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Geena Davis, and Alia Shawkat, among others. Notably, Zoë Kravitz makes her directorial debut in this project. The storyline is a biting satire where a seclusive tech tycoon brings along a fresh romantic interest for an extended vacation on his isolated island. In “Blink Twice,” Osment stands out with his performances alongside Tatum’s group of party-loving friends during their getaway, showcasing that the actor is still as talented as ever since his breakout role in “The Sixth Sense” 25 years ago.

From Amazon MGM Studios,
Blink Twice
is currently in theaters.

2024-08-24 23:31

‘Strong Memories’ of Throwback Cinema

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