Non-Spoiler Synopsis : A grieving father and former reverend, along with his brother, struggles to restore normalcy for his family after the tragic death of his wife. As they cope with their loss, mysterious crop circles begin to appear, signaling an impending alien invasion
Content warning: dead animal alert, car accident
Where to watch: Max
Ratings (out of 5) Overall😱😱😱😱 It’s hard not to give Signs more. This is one of my favorite M. Night Shayalaman films.
Worth the Watch? Absolutely worth the watch. Some lines from this movie live rent-free in my mind:
'I’m insane with anger!'
'Swing away, Merrill.'
And who can forget the iconic scene that terrified a generation?
'Signs' was written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan and was released in 2002. Shyamalan's narrative, rich with hints, clues, and foreshadowing, is further elevated by the evocative score. The score immerses the audience in the emotional depth of the film, making them feel emotionally invested in the story.
This film is a poignant exploration of family dynamics, our responses to the unknown, and most importantly, a heartfelt journey through grief. It delves into the profound loss of faith and the arduous struggle to rediscover and rebuild after the tragic death of a loved one, inviting the audience to empathize with the characters' emotional journey.
Dive deeper
Spoilers ahead-read with caution
At its core, Signs is a grief movie. The family is adjusting to the traumatic death. Graham, the town reverend and father of two young children, loses his wife when the town veterinarian falls asleep at the wheel and hits Graham's wife. Throughout the film, we witness Graham's flashbacks to that evening and him saying goodbye.
Her death causes Graham to lose faith, even stepping away as a reverend. His younger brother moves in to help him.
When we lose someone traumaticly, it shakes our foundation. Remember, traumatic loss involves the loss of a loved one in a traumatic way. Traumatic grief can manifest as preoccupation with the deceased, feelings of longing and yearning, disbelief and an inability to accept the death, bitterness or anger about the circumstances of the death, and avoidance of reminders of the loss. We witness this with Graham, his bitterness and anger towards the circumstances of his wife's death, including the avoidance of reminders. Whereas, with the children we see their longing for their mother in their refusal to leave the family home.
In the end, Graham has made peace with the loss of his wife, making meaning of her death. Part of the grief journey, especially with traumatic loss, is how we make out of what has happened.
Final Thoughts
Signs is more than a story about alien invasions; it’s a deeply emotional exploration of grief and the struggle to rebuild faith in the aftermath of trauma. The film masterfully weaves together moments of suspense and terror with profound reflections on how families cope with the unthinkable, reminding us that healing often comes through finding meaning in our pain. Through its compelling characters and poignant storytelling, Signs invites us to reflect on our responses to loss and how we navigate the unknown.
Want more?
Like M. Night Shyamalan and grief themes? Watch ‘The Sixth Sense’
Want more aliens? Watch ‘Slash/Back’, ‘No One Will Save You’ or go with the classics: ‘Alien’ or ‘The Thing.’
Coming soon
New movie review every other Wednesday
The Man vs Bear: Part 2
What is Trauma?
Fading Memories, Enduring Bonds: Understanding Dementia's Impact on Families
Is there a movie you’d love to discuss or want me to review, please comment.
Thoughts? Have you watched any of these movies? Movies you’d like me to review? I’d love to hear what your thoughts!
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