Signs Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Aliens allergic to H2O decide to invade a planet covered in the stuff, then get beat up by a baseball bat and a kid who hoards half-empty glasses of water.

🍿 Signs: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Hess Family and Their Farm

Graham Hess, a former priest who lost his faith after his wife’s tragic death, lives on a Pennsylvania farm with his brother Merrill and his two children, Morgan and Bo. Six months after Colleen’s death, the family discovers strange crop circles in their cornfield, sparking a series of unsettling events.

Unexplained Phenomena

As more crop circles appear worldwide, the family experiences increasingly bizarre occurrences. Strange noises, erratic animal behavior, and glimpses of shadowy figures heighten their anxiety. They use a baby monitor to try to intercept alien communications and find unsettling results. Graham grapples with his loss of faith as the signs of a potential alien invasion become undeniable.

Confrontation and Revelation

Graham visits Ray Reddy, the man who caused his wife’s death, and learns the aliens are vulnerable to water. The Hess family barricades themselves in their farmhouse as the alien threat escalates. They are forced to retreat to the basement when the creatures break into the attic. A series of connected events lead them to a final confrontation with one of the invaders.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Graham Hess (Mel Gibson): A widowed former reverend who lost his faith after his wife’s death and now struggles to protect his family from an alien invasion while rediscovering his belief in signs.
• Merrill Hess (Joaquin Phoenix): Graham’s younger brother, a former baseball player, who helps defend the family and maintain a sense of optimism during the unfolding crisis.
• Morgan Hess (Rory Culkin): Graham’s asthmatic son who is vulnerable during the alien attacks but plays a critical role due to his ability to sense impending danger.
• Bo Hess (Abigail Breslin): Graham’s young daughter, whose unusual habit of leaving glasses of water around the house inadvertently becomes a key element in defeating the aliens.
• Ray Reddy (M. Night Shyamalan): The veterinarian who caused Colleen Hess’s death and later offers a crucial piece of information about the aliens’ weakness.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Graham Hess: “There are two kinds of people in this world: those who think there are coincidences and those who don’t.” – Graham explains his perspective on life events to his brother Merrill, highlighting the central theme of faith versus chance.
• Merrill Hess: “Okay, I’m starting to freak out.” – Merrill says this during the climax of the movie, when trying to barricade the door to the basement. He wants to get the baseball bat in case something happens.
• Colleen Hess: “See.” – Colleen says this dying in the car accident, which Graham later realizes was a message that was Colleen’s sign to Graham that nothing is a coincidence.
• Colleen Hess: “Tell Merrill to swing away, Merrill, swing away.” – Colleen’s last words, which initially seem nonsensical, become crucial when Merrill uses his baseball bat to save Morgan, reinforcing the theme of interconnectedness.
• Bo Hess: “The water’s bad.” – Said repeatedly throughout the film, this seemingly innocuous statement later proves vital as it reveals the alien’s weakness.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $72,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $227,966,634
• Worldwide Gross: $408,247,917

💥 Signs Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching Signs in theaters and being genuinely creeped out! The scene with the birthday party alien reveal was incredibly effective, and the build-up of tension throughout the movie was fantastic. I found the family dynamic compelling, and Mel Gibson’s portrayal of a man wrestling with his faith resonated with me. While the ending was a bit divisive, I appreciated the focus on hope and connection in the face of fear. Overall, a memorable and thought-provoking film.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of M. Night Shyamalan’s suspenseful style”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about family and faith”
  • “People who enjoy science fiction with a character-driven focus”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Thematic elements of loss and grief”
  • “Suspenseful scenes that may be intense for younger viewers”
  • “Some frightening images and encounters with alien beings”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “M. Night Shyamalan creates suspense with what you *don’t* see, and Signs delivers chilling moments, but its resolution feels simplistic. Mel Gibson shines as a man grappling with faith amidst the unknown.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Signs builds tension masterfully, playing on primal fears. However, the overtly religious themes and the aliens’ inexplicable weakness to water detract from the overall experience, making it a flawed but engaging thriller.
• The New York Times: “M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs blends sci-fi horror with family drama, creating moments of genuine suspense. The narrative struggles under the weight of its religious undertones and convenient plot devices.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the suspenseful build-up and atmospheric tension.: Many agreed that it’s a movie that stays with you due to its unsettling atmosphere and focus on family relationships.

Overall Consensus: Signs is a divisive film, praised for its suspenseful atmosphere and family drama, but criticized for its plot holes and overt religious themes.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Mark Ruffalo was originally cast as Merrill Hess, but had to drop out due to a brain tumor, which thankfully turned out to be benign.”
• “M. Night Shyamalan makes a cameo appearance as Ray Reddy, the man responsible for the death of Graham Hess’s wife, adding a personal dimension to the story.”
• “The film’s score, composed by James Newton Howard, draws inspiration from Bernard Herrmann’s iconic scores for Alfred Hitchcock films, enhancing the suspenseful atmosphere.”

🖥️ How to Watch Signs?

Signs is available for streaming on platforms like Paramount+ and can be rented or purchased on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Signs, you might like these similar films:

• War of the Worlds (2005): Both films depict an alien invasion from the perspective of a family struggling to survive.
• The Village (2004): Shares similar themes of fear of the unknown and societal breakdown with a focus on a small community.
• A Quiet Place (2018): Features a family silently struggling to survive against deadly creatures with heightened hearing.
• The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951): A classic science fiction film dealing with humanity’s potential destruction and the arrival of a powerful alien.
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977): Explores the sense of wonder and mystery surrounding extraterrestrial encounters, focusing on the human experience.

🛒 Signs Related Products

• Signs (Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]: Own the suspenseful thriller on Blu-ray with exclusive behind-the-scenes content, including deleted scenes and interviews. This collector’s edition enhances the viewing experience with high-definition picture and sound.
• The Complete Book of Crop Circles: The Ultimate Guide to Crop Circle Formations: Explore the mysteries of crop circles with this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, potential origins, and the theories surrounding these fascinating formations. It is perfect for fans who are intrigued by the real-world phenomenon that inspired the movie.
• Baseball Bat – Louisville Slugger: Own a classic Louisville Slugger baseball bat, reminiscent of Merrill Hess’s weapon of choice. Crafted for durability and performance, this bat is perfect for baseball enthusiasts and fans of the movie.
• Glass Drinking Glasses – Set of 12: This set of 12 glass drinking glasses will allow you to stock up on a classic movie prop. These sturdy glasses hold 16 ounces and are useful for serving iced tea, juice or water.

🎧 Soundtrack

Signs features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Titles” – performed by James Newton Howard
• “Cornfield” – performed by James Newton Howard
• “Hand with a Hook” – performed by James Newton Howard

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Everything Wrong With Signs In 16 Minutes Or Less

Ever wondered about the absurdities and plot holes in Signs? This video hilariously breaks it all down, leaving you questioning how you didn’t notice them before!

Signs: An Alternate Theory

Prepare to have your mind blown! This video challenges the conventional understanding of Signs, presenting a compelling alternate theory that will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about the movie.

Film Theory: What The Aliens In Signs Really Mean

Join That Film Theory as they embark on a captivating journey to uncover the hidden meanings behind the enigmatic aliens in Signs. Their insights will leave you pondering the film’s deeper messages long after the credits roll.

✨ Rate