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Signs (2002)
 
Review
M. Night Shyamalan, the new master of
cinematic enigmas, once again weaves a tapestry of thought and emotion in his
latest feature, named Signs – a suspense movie far removed from the cheap thrills that
has become characteristic of contemporary horror. Instead, Shyamalan explores the
power of the unseen and creates an alien horror flick which transcends the
superficial, delving into the psyche of a man grappling with faith, love, and
the primal fear of the unknown.
Signs unfolds on two levels, skilfully orchestrated by a
director at the peak of his prowess. On one level, we witness the psychological unraveling of a
man facing a crisis of faith, navigating the labyrinth of his inner demons. His resurgence of motivation to live, love, and believe becomes a poignant focal
point, lifting the film beyond the realms of mere horror. On another, we are
enclosed in an intimate encounter with fear and the unknown, meticulously
built-up and disclosed by Shyamalan.
Shyamalan's brilliance lies not in explicit imagery but in the artful
manipulation of suspense and psychological tension. Signs pays homage to the
thematic depth of classics like Close Encounters of the Third Kind
while
at the same time succeeding in creating a palpable horror feel. The absence of explicit visuals
is of course a
deliberate choice which exploits our imagination to conjure our own
images of terror. And the film's climax, contrary to convention, is revealed to
be a necessary
piece in Shyamalan's psychological puzzle, reinforcing his status as one of
cinema's most prodigious talents at present.
Copyright © 13.10.2002
Fredrik Gunerius Fevang
(English version: © 04.02.2024 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang)
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