Summary
When I think of a terrifying supernaturalhorrormovie, my mind goes to the 1999 releaseThe Sixth Sense, and I’m likely not the only one. The scenes featuring ghosts are some of the most stomach-churning and bone-chilling in the genre, and that remains true, even though more than 20 years have passed since the film was put out in theaters.There’s another movie that is a lot likeThe Sixth Sense, and that’s the Kevin Bacon filmStir of Echoes.
Although some should be ignored now and left in the past,many 1990s horror movies are just as good today. That includes bothThe Sixth SenseandStir of Echoes,two movies that tell paranormal stories and were released around the same time. Bacon recently gave a compelling interview where he addressed this situation, and I think that both movies should be watched together.
Why I Think The Sixth Sense And Stir Of Echoes Should Be Viewed As Companion Pieces
In an interview withVarietyto talk aboutStir of Echoes’s 25th anniversary, Kevin Bacon and director David Koepp talked about howthe amazing success ofThe Sixth Senseaffected their horror movie. Bacon said that both he and KoeppwantedStir of Echoesto be released in theaters beforeThe Sixth Sense. But that didn’t happen andThe Sixth Sensebecame a box office hit and a critical darling.The Sixth Sensewas released in theaters on August 9th, 1999 andStir of Echoescame out on September 10th, 1999. Since there was only around one month between the two releases, I can definitely see how that became a problem.
Bacon said:
“But the problem for us was that ‘The Sixth Sense’ was such a phenomenon because people went multiple times. It had, really, a terrible effect on ‘Stir of Echoes.'”
Bacon added about the title of his movie:
“I also know, out of respect to Matheson, I think that they really wanted to hold on to the title, but it’s not a title that really rolls off your tongue. People to this day will say, ‘Oh, I loved your movie, ‘Stirring the…’ what was it? So I don’t think that really helped.”
I love the titleStir of Echoesbecause it feels as compelling and mysterious asThe Sixth Sense.I also think the two movies can be viewed together since they work so well together thematically.
Both movies are aboutchild characters who see dead people and main characters who are examining life, death, love, grief, and family. Bacon plays working class dad and husband Tom Witzky inStir of Echoes, a man whose son Jake (Zachary David Cope) can hear spirits. This amazing gift leads Tom to investigate the disappearance of a teenage neighbor named Samantha Kozac (Jennifer Morrison). WhileBruce Willis is known for many sci-fi movies,The Sixth Senseis one of his most famous and iconic films since he did such an impressive job portraying a therapist who befriends a psychic child, played by a young and talentedHaley Joel Osmentwho is now starring inWednesdayseason 2.
Both movies also have some genuinely terrifying scenes. InStir of Echoes, Tom has a nightmare that his teeth have been pulled out. And, of course, no one can forget Mischa Barton’s child character vomiting inThe Sixth Sense. Although the latter is far froman underrated horror moviesince it’s one of the most talked about in the genre,it packs a scary and emotional punch and deserves every bit of its accolades and praise.
Stir of EchoesandThe Sixth Sensealso work together sinceone is more realistic than the other.Bacon, who is making a new film calledFamily Movie, saidStir of Echoesfeels “grounded” in his interview withVariety, and I agree with that.The Sixth Sensefeels much more otherworldly and paranormal than Bacon’s film since Tom’s family and professional lives are fleshed out. It’s fun to watch them one after the other and see thatthey are both unique, creative, and impressive.
What Else Did Stir Of Echoes Star Kevin Bacon Say About The Sixth Sense?
Kevin Bacon has talked about how popularThe Sixth Sensewas before and how this impactedStir of Echoes. In 2017, he and Koepp were interviewed byEntertainment Weeklyand Bacon praised the other ghost movie that was released in the late 1990s. He said:
“Overshadowed is 100 percent an understatement. Listen,The Sixth Sensewould have been a hit regardless of whenStir of Echoescame out.The Sixth Senseis a fantastic movie, there’s nothing that could’ve happened that would’ve gotten in its way.”
I would argue thatbothThe Sixth SenseandStir of Echoesare some ofthe most well-crafted movies released in the 1990s.Horror fans who haven’t seen Bacon’s film should definitely check it out. They won’t be disappointed.
