When I first saw signs back in 2002, M. Night Shyamalan had thrown me off balance. I certainly enjoyed “The Sixth Sense” like most others, but “Unbreakable” had lost me in the home stretch.

But because of the twists he had already become famous for and the down low plot details of Signs, I was in line on opening weekend and was happy with the experience.

Watch Signs on a new big screen TV from Amazon HERE

And as we approach Halloween here in 2024, Signs is an excellent, not too scary film for the holiday that may hit the right note for you.

A pre cancelled Mel Gibson stars as Graham Hess, a widower who has lost faith since an auto accident took the life of his wife. Joaquin Phoenix, who was already making waves after Gladiator stars as his brother Merrill, as the two try to make sense of what looks like an alien invasion of earth.

But unlike other blockbusters that go big on the invasion, “Signs” takes it more subtly. And that’s why it works so well.

Remembering my screening, there were two big jump scares that made the experience. And that’s the right amount of spice for a lot of viewers. It capitalizes on suspense and it grips us tight until the end. There is a lot of heart in this movie that Gibson never quite made it back to, and that I wish Phoenix would tap into more.

There are some logical flaws that will drive some viewers nuts, and potentially make them dislike the movie. But that wasn’t the case with me or with many others I’ve mentioned the film to recently.

Also Shyamalan’s work became kind of a coin toss after this. But Signs is solid and just right for a spooky Halloween.

Signs (2002)

Grade (2002): A-

Grade (2024): B+

Have you seen Signs? What did you think? Let me know in the comments.

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