Signs - A Movie Review

What’s our plan if aliens do come to attack us?

Signs landed in theaters in 2002. A mysterious alien life force stalks the earth. Finding crop circles in their field, a family has to come to terms on whether they should leave for their own safety or remain in their home.

I watched Signs a long time ago. Compared to other alien films, Signs does something different. It’s not just a horror movie. Signs involves a study of a family’s relationship. Exploring the grief of a broken family, Signs is a riveting and well-directed film.

I am impressed with the cast’s ability to manifest the emotions of their characters. Graham has given up his will to live, but his love for his children is his best trait. Mel Gibson did a powerful job in his performance, selling Graham’s broken demeanor. Grief is never easy, but eventually, we will move on.

Joaquin Phoenix is another highlight. Phoenix and Gibson were excellent in their sibling dynamic. The relationship between siblings is a tremendous theme in Signs. Rory Culkin and the screen debut of Abigail Breslin are wonderful in their performances. Breslin especially was memorable delivering an iconic line.

The family dynamic is worked on closely in Signs. A devastating event has hit them all hard. Signs is a great example of how we should never bottle up emotions in our grief. The quiet moments are vital. Silence says so much. By coming together as a family, we can work together to get through anything.

Cherry Jones delivers a deep performance. The way in which the film was executed was done nicely through clever editing techniques. One of the best parts of Signs is that it avoids needless exposition. Based on subtle hints and reactions, we find out on our own.

M. Night Shyamalan focused highly on the character, building suspense, emotion, and cinematography. It took him six months to complete the script. He captured simple, yet impactful images that were effective. Horror was implemented well.

The crop circles that you see in the film are real. Shyamalan captured realism. As stated by Shyamalan himself, he is not a fan of using CGI. Since a realistic approach was used for most of the film, the design for signature aliens in the film deserved thorough a better presentation.

The setup for the reveal of the aliens was maneuvered with quick and eerie shots. I wish that we didn’t have to fully see the creatures in the climax. It ruined the atmosphere of the film, especially with the noticeable CGI effects. Shyamalan still accomplished the mystical terror.

In one scene, the setup and the way it is edited as a memory over the course of the film required careful direction. Everything from the mood, acting, and emotional style created a big impact.

Some moments come off as strange deliveries, but that was on purpose. Little comedic scenes were examined closely. Signs also incorporates a lot of dialogue which is important to listen to. Pay attention to every subtle moment because you never know what you’ll miss. Shyamalan succeeded in that.

Most viewers might be turned off by how slow the film is, but that’s the whole point. The slow build is what makes the film more dramatic. And scarier. You never know what is going to happen next. Movie critics named one scene in particular as the scariest scene of all time. It makes you pay attention to everything that happens.

You have to find Signs and watch it. I recommend that you add it to your horror film watch list for this Halloween season.