Page

Signs

❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Watch trailer

02:29

Signs

Save

Summary

Sci-fi fantasy thriller starring Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix. When a 500ft crop circle appears on his isolated Pennsylvania farm, Graham Hess is at a loss to explain the phenomenon. Hiding his fears from his three small children, who are still mourning the death of their mother, Graham increasingly begins to suspect that an alien lifeform is preparing to reveal itself.

Ad

Powered By

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Jason Caro

Writer/director M Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable) here once again deals with extraordinary events from an intimate perspective. That he fails to pull it off entirely is owing to the enormity of the HG Wells-inspired science-fiction backdrop - which sits uneasily with his low-key approach - and his inclusion of "meaningful" moments that feel awkward and manipulative. Where Shyamalan does score highly is with the edgy, apprehensive atmosphere that he builds up, as Mel Gibson's Pennsylvania farmer (a former minister who's lost his faith) discovers crop circles in his wheat field. This, combined with other inexplicable events, leads the reluctant hero and his family to believe that an alien invasion is imminent. Credible performances from Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix, as his brother, combine with a spooky ambience and some very effective, old-fashioned jolts to lead us into what should have been an enthralling final act. However, mawkish sentimentality and creaky flashbacks blunt the suspense - yet even those misjudgements are overshadowed by a ludicrously melodramatic climax that reveals the film-maker's true intentions. Entertaining, if a little disappointing.

imdb-square

6.8/10

How to watch

Loading

Streaming

Credits

Cast

rolenameGraham HessMel GibsonMerrill HessJoaquin PhoenixOfficer Caroline PaskiCherry JonesMorgan HessRory CulkinBo HessAbigail BreslinColleen HessPatricia KalemberRay ReddyM Night ShyamalanSFC CunninghamTed Sutton

Show more

Crew

rolenameDirectorM Night Shyamalan

Details

Theatrical distributor

Buena Vista

Released on

2002-09-13

Languages

English | Portuguese

Guidance

Violence and some swearing.

Available on

video, DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

News & features about Signs

See more about Signs

Ad

Ad

Ad