Chapter 43

"Such a film should only exist in heaven, why did it fall to the mortal world!"

The Hollywood Reporter used a sensational headline to comment on the film:

"The film's audio-visual language is a top-notch textbook, a movie that can be repeatedly analyzed. The Sixth Sense opens with a light bulb, which not only sets the scene but also gives a sense of the curtain being drawn, transitioning from darkness to light, signifying the start of the film. From the basement, the film's perspective is like a ghost, such as the shot behind the wine rack, which is not from anyone's point of view, nor is it a global perspective. Even the low-angle shot from below the stairs when the protagonist goes upstairs creates a sense of tension, though you don't know why."

"This is the charm of the camera language, and such movement is omnipresent and perfect in the film. In terms of the screenplay, the design of the suspense is particularly outstanding, and this is definitely a story whose ending you can't guess. The camera movement at the end of the film is also a masterpiece, seamlessly integrating with the beginning, and the design will make you marvel, 'Such a film should only exist in heaven, why did it fall to the mortal world!'"

Chen Tian's prediction was spot on; the first batch of viewers had already started to spread the word after watching the film.

And the first batch of viewers were mostly media professionals and professional film critics.

Spielberg, Katzenberg, and others knew that The Sixth Sense was a great film, but they didn't expect the media's explosive reaction.

The Los Angeles Times also issued a real-time review: "How can a film captivate the audience and leave a deep impression? How can the plot be surprising yet make sense upon reflection? How can it awaken and shock the audience's hearts? Watch The Sixth Sense, and you will find the answers. Although it is a thriller, it avoids the typical Hollywood gore and violence, eschewing direct and intense sensory stimulation in favor of a deep, psychological approach that grips the audience. I watched the midnight screening and left the theater with goosebumps, stunned by the film's intricate structure. This is the most anticipated film of the year, and its excellence is of a different type from Saving Private Ryan. Moreover, I don't consider it a horror film..."

Chen Tian browsed through Yahoo forums and other places, where many posts about The Sixth Sense's viewing experience had appeared.

Yahoo Entertainment commented: "The nine-year-old boy in the film has a nearly profound and sorrowful gaze. He says he can see the dead, the wrongfully hanged souls at the town hall crying to him, the little girl murdered by her stepmother asking him for revenge, and the helpless, self-pitying psychologist who, through him, learns the cruel yet warm truths of life. His mother, like most mothers, interrupts him with concern but helplessness, deciding to take him to see a doctor or a priest to make him 'normal.' Only after becoming a mother does one gradually understand life and the mother's actions in the film. Although it is a horror film, it is full of social issues..."

On IMDB, a professional critic gave the film a perfect 10/10 score: "This is a highly 'cinematic' thriller. The twist at the end is shocking, and everyone tries to piece together the earlier plot and foreshadowing. In other words, it is absolutely thought-provoking. What is most commendable is that it evokes the audience's sympathy through the role of the young boy; it is emotionally profound, such as the friendship between the boy and the psychologist, the bond between the boy and his mother, and the affection between the psychologist and his wife."

"Cold and detached, yet full of human warmth. The most commendable aspect of the film is the transformation of its genre, from a thriller at the beginning to a ghost story in the middle, and then a heartwarming family drama at the end, culminating in the final five-minute reveal, which is truly unexpected."

"This is not a simple ghost story but a family drama wrapped in a supernatural package. The adults' disbelief in the boy's ability to see ghosts mirrors the adults' tendency to ignore children's voices. Mutual listening, though cliché, becomes clearer in the final conversation between the mother and daughter."

The score for The Sixth Sense on IMDB soared to 9.1, and although the number of voters was small, it was still astonishing, as this score surpassed Saving Private Ryan.

Even Spielberg was surprised when he saw the score, "Did I miss something?"

Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, and others were also taken aback when they saw that the media's focus had suddenly shifted to The Sixth Sense overnight. "Is this the Christmas film? Is it really that good?"

Unfortunately, most of the audience could only see the rave reviews but couldn't watch the film, as it was still in the preview phase.

The box office figures for the first day of release were released in the afternoon. The North American theater box office statistics are connected to a network system, where each ticket sold is recorded, making the process both convenient and fast. Chen Tian received data from DreamWorks showing that the first day's box office was over $45,000.

All 30 theaters were 24-hour theaters, and The Sixth Sense was shown in only one auditorium, with an average of 500 seats. From midnight to 6 a.m., it was shown three times a day, and the initial ticket price was $6. The $45,000 box office indicated that The Sixth Sense had an average occupancy rate of 20% across 90 screenings in 30 theaters.

This was already a very good result, within DreamWorks' expectations.

Considering the positive media reviews, DreamWorks decided to monitor the box office for a few more days before deciding on the scale of the release. After all, with a $30 million investment, they couldn't just focus on the preview box office.

The box office for the second day of The Sixth Sense surprised everyone, with the average occupancy rate for 90 screenings rising to 45%, and the first midnight screening reaching 80%. The second day's box office reached over $175,000!

The growth rate was more than three times, clearly indicating that this was a potential box office hit!

"DreamWorks has struck gold!"

"Previously, there were doubts about DreamWorks using a new screenwriter to independently direct a $30 million horror film, and this person was a student from the Beijing Film Academy. Now, the film's quality has proven that DreamWorks has a keen eye."

The cumulative box office for the first two days had already exceeded $200,000, a very good result, indicating that DreamWorks would allocate The Sixth Sense to at least 2,000 theaters.

The word-of-mouth was explosive, and many people were complaining online about not finding the film in their local theaters.

In this situation, even Charlize Theron, who was not particularly interested, couldn't help but call Chen Tian to ask about the film. She had a busy schedule, but none of the films she had participated in had received such good reviews as The Sixth Sense. Her agent was urging her to contact the director to see if she needed to participate in the promotion.

The word-of-mouth continued to spread, and more and more reviews appeared in the media and online:

"'I see dead people.' — The boy tells his mother about his grandmother in the car at the end. When his mother learns that her deceased grandmother, who asked if she was proud of her at the grave, answered 'Everyday,' I believe everyone was moved. I shed tears without realizing it, feeling warmth, perhaps those who have passed away are always by our side, silently supporting us! Compared to the surprising ending, I appreciate this touching scene even more!"

"A ghost story that made me cry at the end" "Master of twists and tears" "The biggest surprise of the year" "The most heartwarming ghost story" "I think this is the best film I've seen, surpassing Saving Private Ryan" "Can we pretend we'll meet tomorrow?"...

"A dialogue between humans and ghosts, a film that can listen to the inner voice." "God, I cry to you from the depths of the abyss."...

"Secrets within secrets, how many have you found?"

"1. I like the nested story structure, secrets within secrets. 2. I got a bit of a scare, but it was just right. 3. If human kindness can extend to another world, the living will feel less lonely. 4. The boy's helplessness and fear highlight his strength and courage, which is touching. 5. Some psychological insights gave me a lot of confidence. 6. The boy's mother is remarkable; their embrace and tears at the end are a moment of happiness. 7. The film conveys many positive messages, which is heartening."

"What is the director trying to tell us?"

"Recently, I've been affected by loneliness, whether in films or in reality. Actually, lonely people have depth and content. Learning to live with loneliness can make you more passionate and hopeful about life. Loneliness and happiness are not contradictory. Lonely people have their own kind of happiness. I think the director is trying to convey this sentiment..."

Chen Tian read such reviews every day, feeling anxious.

He wasn't moved but was anxiously reading the reviews, worried, "Phew~ That's a relief!"

"What's a relief?" Kate asked, walking in with a cup of coffee.

Chen Tian explained, "I was worried that everyone would忍不住剧透，提前说出电影的结局。那样会损失很多票房，好在目前的帖子中并没有这方面的内容。大家都很有道德，即使剧透，也没有把最后的结局这个最大的惊喜提前公布。"

"这部电影的票房究竟能走到哪里，就要全看这个结局能保密多久了。"

凯特耸耸肩，“会不会太狭隘，把电影票房寄托在观众保守结局的秘密不剧透下。”

“哈，这里面的关系可大了，等着看吧。就算要剧透，也不能等到还未大规模公映时就剧透。”

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