Signs (2002)

74% of critics liked it
(225 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(846,126 ratings)

Following the smash hit The Sixth Sense (1999) and the under-performing follow-up Unbreakable (2000), directing phenom M. Night Shyamalan returns to the summer box office landscape that served as the backdrop for his cinematic breakthrough. In Signs, another paranormal outing for the… More Following the smash hit The Sixth Sense (1999) and the under-performing follow-up Unbreakable (2000), directing phenom M. Night Shyamalan returns to the summer box office landscape that served as the backdrop for his cinematic breakthrough. In Signs, another paranormal outing for the writer-director, Shyamalan explores the eerie implications of a 500-foot crop circle that mysteriously appears on the Bucks County, PA farm of reverend Graham Hess (Mel Gibson). As Hess and his family (Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin) try to take stock of what the sign means, and how its message incorporates into their faith, they start to get the feeling they are not alone in the fields behind their house. Shyamalan re-teams with producers Frank Marshall, Sam Mercer and Kathleen Kennedy, and produces the project in association with his Blinding Edge Pictures banner and Touchstone Pictures. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan
Written By: M. Night Shyamalan
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Aug 2, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Jan 7, 2003
Studio: Touchstone Pictures

Critic Reviews

Hank Sartin, Chicago Reader
Individual sequences generate an eerie tension that's always deflated, creating a jarring stop-and-go rhythm, and the atmospheric trickery never strays beyond a lot of smoke and mirrors.
David Ansen, Newsweek
A refreshing summer movie.
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
Shyamalan wants to be the metaphysical poet of movies, but he's dangerously close to becoming its O. Henry.
Rex Reed, New York Observer
The same old same old: dull and recycled, with no surprises.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
The movie is almost completely lacking in suspense, surprise and consistent emotional conviction.
Jessica Winter, Village Voice
Sitting through the last reel (spoiler alert!) is significantly less charming than listening to a four-year-old with a taste for exaggeration recount his Halloween trip to the Haunted House.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Excellent, but has some extreme tension and peril.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
Gibson is unbelievable, packing a punch in many of the scenes in which there are no dialogue. He is a deep and very likeable character as he slowly descents in to a situation way over his head and must rely on his faith to help him.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
An anti-Independence Day, a cousin of Close Encounters, but most of all, a well-modulated, dread-laden, faith-based mystery. [Blu-Ray]
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Give Shyamalan credit for taking a big concept and dealing with it effectively on a microcosmic level.
Christopher Smith, Bangor Daily News (Maine)
Crap circles.
Joe Lozito, Big Picture Big Sound
Mr. Shayamalan is a gifted writer and filmmaker. He definitely has more great films in his future. However, he may need to take a step away from the paranormal thriller.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Shyamalan is technically a superb film-maker, for all that he's picked up most of his tricks from Spielberg and Hitchcock.
James Verniere, Boston Herald
M. Night Shyamalan's Signs is Close Encounters of the Corny Kind.
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer
I come away from Signs exhilarated by Shyamalan's skill at keeping his audience guessing.
Tony Medley, tonymedley.com
The one good thing about it is that it's over in one hour and 47 minutes. The bad thing is to think what a terrible waste it was of an hour and 47 minutes.
Todd Gilchrist, FilmStew.com
A gripping and well-made thriller that preserves Shyamalan's winning streak and shows us, as all the best films do, a world that we're familiar with and believe in, and yet we've never seen, and by which we're endlessly fascinated.
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
great
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Click to read review
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Shyamalan fancies himself a philosopher whose stories have deep and important meanings that need to be conveyed to audiences as slowly and heavy-handedly as possible.

Read all 22 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Candy R

Not really into alien type movies but this is a great storyline about a family who defends their home from invasion. Reminds me of Independence Day and War of the Worlds. Great cast. Fab ending. Best M Night Shyamalan movie.
Unknown H

It has taken me a long time to see this movie, which still surprises me even after watching it as it is a typical movie that I would feel the need to see. However, on the reviews of a lot of other people I simply steered away from it until I found it today stashed away with my… More
It has taken me a long time to see this movie, which still surprises me even after watching it as it is a typical movie that I would feel the need to see. However, on the reviews of a lot of other people I simply steered away from it until I found it today stashed away with my DVD's still sealed. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the movie, in particular the realistic relationships between the family characters (Gibson, Pheonix, Breslin and Culkin) as well as the alarmingly real emotional take on the situation they are faced with. Its the kind of movie where the hero is not afraid to break down and in the end it leaves you feeling like you watched something real, instead of something staged. Truly brilliant performances from the entire cast and a very good film indeed.
Eric A

Descent sci-fi worth watching.
Kase V

This is an exhilarating film that I would recommend to any thriller or horror fan. Such a great cast, too!
Brad W

Not a bad movie at all, it has intense moments, great setting, but I just believe maybe the end scene which is the resolution to our story, didnt make much sense and could've been more well made.
Sophie B

Much better than what I expected, this film has a story and a heart. It's interesting to see how Shyamalan scared his audience not with what we can see, but what our mind's eye sees once we've been given the fodder. It's subtle and stylistic but in a utterly real… More
Much better than what I expected, this film has a story and a heart. It's interesting to see how Shyamalan scared his audience not with what we can see, but what our mind's eye sees once we've been given the fodder. It's subtle and stylistic but in a utterly real and believable way. I didn't really like seeing the creature but I can't think of a better way to do it.
Michael E

Stupid, Stupid, STUPID! The aliens look like crap and there is one of the biggest plotholes ide ever seen, Hmm the aliens are allergic to water, and THEY COME TO A PLANET THAT IS ABOUT 85% WATER, HOW DO YOU SCREW THAT UP!!!!?
Christopher A

Signs is a unique take on the existence of extra terrestrials visiting Earth and despite its obvious shortfalls turns out to be a decent and enjoyable film. Mel Gibson plays a father of two and ex man of the cloth who has lost his faith in God. After crop circles appear in his field… More
Signs is a unique take on the existence of extra terrestrials visiting Earth and despite its obvious shortfalls turns out to be a decent and enjoyable film. Mel Gibson plays a father of two and ex man of the cloth who has lost his faith in God. After crop circles appear in his field and subsequently, around the World it becomes obvious that we may not be alone. While the acting leaves a lot to be desired, the storyline more than makes up for it. A slow first half is more than made up for once the little (or not so little in this case) green men turn up to do whatever it is they wanted. Clever and well thought out, Signs will grip you until the very end and thankfully explains what is going on (unlike another Alien invasion film I can think of starring Tom Cruise), it makes for a decent watch. "There's a monster outside my room, can I have a glass of water? "
Jeff "

Signs is by far the best film by director M. Night Shyamalan. Signs is a truly original film from start to finish. It's the type of film that keeps you interested till the end. Signs is a remarkable film due to the fact that it combines elements of a horror film with that of a… More
Signs is by far the best film by director M. Night Shyamalan. Signs is a truly original film from start to finish. It's the type of film that keeps you interested till the end. Signs is a remarkable film due to the fact that it combines elements of a horror film with that of a drama. Truly a work of originality, Signs is a superbly crafted film and is Shyamalan's greatest achievement as a director. Many People would disagree and say that The Sixth Sense is better, but for me Signs is a much better film with scares and plenty drama. The cast is excellent and give terrific performances. This film will definitely appeal to anyone who loves Horror, Suspense, Drama or Sci Fi. Signs is a film that has something for any film-goer. Overall this film won't disappoint as its filled with thrills and suspense and creepy moments. A very original film. Signs is the culmination of Shymalan's creativeness. After Signs he has made more bad movies, and he lost his touch. Only The Happening was decent enough, but it doesn't compare to this one. If you are to watch one Shyamalan film, make it this one. Signs is simply terrific. film making. It's too bad that Shyamalan's career went down the toilet after this.
Corey W

This just isn't my cup of tea. I'm not much of a fan of M. Night anyhow. I mean, he isn't a terrible director, but he should probably give up on writing. He's just bad with dialouge and its films like "The Last Airbender", "The Happening", and… More
This just isn't my cup of tea. I'm not much of a fan of M. Night anyhow. I mean, he isn't a terrible director, but he should probably give up on writing. He's just bad with dialouge and its films like "The Last Airbender", "The Happening", and this that prove that. As for movies like "Unbreakable" and "The Sixth Sense"...those are alright. His other movies I haven't seen, I'd say yet but me not liking the guy sort of keeps from wanting too.
Richard C

a really good movie. B
Dead A

The ending was stupid. But the rest of the movie was fine.
KJ P

A jaw-dropping, Alien infestation of a movie! I was scared when I was a kid, but now I'm just astounded!
Wahida K

Honestly this movie still stays a mystery to me.
Jens S

Like most of M. Night Shyamalan's films this one is loved by just as many people as it is hated. Reading some of the negative reviews this movie got here and among my friends I can only shake my head. People come with points of logic, calling it sci-fi, are being downright unfair… More
Like most of M. Night Shyamalan's films this one is loved by just as many people as it is hated. Reading some of the negative reviews this movie got here and among my friends I can only shake my head. People come with points of logic, calling it sci-fi, are being downright unfair to this fantastic film about coincidence, believe and fate. Shyamalan tells the story of an alien invasion on the example of a small family that has hardly gotten over the loss of the beloved mother. How the story mixes suspense about the strange happenings in corn circles and on a baby phone with the feelings the family has to go through is already well crafted and often reminiscent of Hitchcock. How all these pieces finally come together in the showdown is pure genius. James Newton Howard delivers a wonderfully scary score, the acting is great and the camera work outstanding. The Brazil birthday video scene still makes the hair on my neck stand up. A masterpiece. I pity the people who don't get it.
Lady D

Gave this one a second chance, as many people questioned my judgement on this film, but my opinion remains, it?s a boring film!! I admit I really don?t have a mind for a lot of Sci-fi films, as much as I would not dispute the chance there could be intelligent lifeform out there,… More
Gave this one a second chance, as many people questioned my judgement on this film, but my opinion remains, it?s a boring film!! I admit I really don?t have a mind for a lot of Sci-fi films, as much as I would not dispute the chance there could be intelligent lifeform out there, seeing this film did nothing for me in the sense it did most people.
Conner R

A great take on the concept of aliens. It's a lot like a modern day War of the Worlds scenario. The thing that makes it such a great piece of horror is the large character work done, so that when things happen, you actually care. Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix both did great jobs… More
A great take on the concept of aliens. It's a lot like a modern day War of the Worlds scenario. The thing that makes it such a great piece of horror is the large character work done, so that when things happen, you actually care. Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix both did great jobs and made the viewing experience even better. The film making is even better than The Sixth Sense, although I liked Unbreakable a little bit more. At the core, it's a great sci-fi/horror story that doesn't disappoint.
Dan S

An expertly put-together sci-fi thriller which is the last great M. Night Shyamalan movie put out in some years. Mel Gibson and Joaquin Pheonix are excellent as two brothers trying to run a family together, but once their crops come under attack and an alien invasion seems imminent,… More
An expertly put-together sci-fi thriller which is the last great M. Night Shyamalan movie put out in some years. Mel Gibson and Joaquin Pheonix are excellent as two brothers trying to run a family together, but once their crops come under attack and an alien invasion seems imminent, personal history erupts as an attack possibly of apocalyptic size comes to Earth. Excusing one gaping plot hole, this is a terrific movie, one of Shyamalan's more underrated works, featuring a memorable, jarring score that amps up the intensity of the final scenes to an almost unbearable degree.
Jason O

Saw this at the theater, very unique, interesting, and well done movie! Why was there no sequel??
Anthony L

I saw this in a cinema full of screaming young people. I think that atmosphere really added to my enjoyment of this film. I think it's really good in its creepy scenes, its only flaw is that you see the alien at the end.