Signs (2002)

On August 21, 1955, a family named Sutton witnesses strange "little green men" on their rooftop, a haunting image that sets the tone for the story of Signs--a tale of extraterrestrial contact and human faith. The film then shifts to the present day on a rural farm about 40 miles outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Graham Hess, a former Episcopal priest, lives with his two children and his brother.

Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) is introduced walking through his expansive cornfield, the tall stalks whispering in the breeze. Suddenly, he hears an eerie clicking noise--sharp, rhythmic, and unnatural. His heart pounds as he peers deeper into the field and catches sight of a long, green leg slipping away between the cornstalks. Panic surges through him, and he sprints back to the farmhouse, breathless and shaken. This moment marks the first direct encounter with the alien presence threatening his home.

Inside the farmhouse, Graham's brother Merrill Hess (Joaquin Phoenix), a former minor league baseball player, helps with chores and watches the news with growing concern. Merrill's easygoing demeanor contrasts with Graham's somber mood. The children add to the household's fragile dynamic: Morgan Hess (Rory Culkin), Graham's asthmatic son, plays quietly but is vulnerable, and Bo Hess (Abigail Breslin), his curious young daughter, leaves half-filled glasses of water scattered around the house--a seemingly innocent habit that will prove crucial.

Graham's faith is shattered. Flashbacks reveal the traumatic death of his wife, Colleen Hess, who died in a horrific car accident caused by Ray Reddy, a local man played by director M. Night Shyamalan himself. In a haunting flashback, Colleen lies pinned beneath a truck, conscious but trapped, whispering cryptic words to Graham before slipping away: "Swing away, Merrill." These words, initially mysterious, will later become a lifeline.

Graham, once a man of God, now refuses to turn on the television, rejecting the outside world and its chaos. But Merrill persuades him to watch the news, where reports flood in of strange crop circles appearing worldwide and alien sightings escalating. The footage is chilling: in Brazil, a child's birthday party is interrupted by a terrifying alien presence; in other parts of the globe, panic and violence erupt as humanity confronts the unknown.

The Hess family's farm becomes the epicenter of the invasion. Crop circles mysteriously appear overnight in their cornfield, eerie and perfect in their design. The family is stalked by unseen entities, their home invaded by strange clicking sounds and shadowy movements. Tension escalates as Graham confronts his fears, telling the invisible presence, "You'll get no publicity from stalking my farm or my family," his voice firm but trembling.

One night, the aliens make their move. The family scrambles to barricade themselves in the basement, the only refuge against the creatures. The air is thick with dread as Morgan suffers a severe asthma attack, gasping for breath while the alien threat presses ever closer. The basement becomes a crucible of fear and desperation, the family clinging to each other amid the darkness and silence.

Morning brings a fragile calm. The family cautiously emerges to survey the wreckage: the house is trashed, the kitchen door smashed, but the immediate danger seems to have passed. However, safety is short-lived. From the pantry, where an alien had been trapped earlier, a clawed hand suddenly emerges and grabs Morgan. The creature sprays his face with a poisonous gas through a spiny tube, holding him hostage.

In this moment of crisis, Graham recalls Colleen's dying words and their hidden meaning. "Swing away, Merrill," he commands, his voice steady with renewed purpose. Merrill, gripping his baseball bat, steps forward without hesitation. The bat crashes down on the alien's head, forcing it to release Morgan.

Merrill then notices the unfinished glasses of water Bo left scattered around the house. Acting quickly, he smashes them on the alien, the water splashing onto its skin and causing it to writhe in agony. The alien's weakness to water becomes clear--it is lethal to them. Graham rushes outside with Morgan, administering his asthma medication. Morgan's asthma, which constricted his lungs, had ironically protected him from inhaling the alien's poisonous gas, saving his life.

The alien dies, and the family breathes a collective sigh of relief. Graham, his faith restored by the miraculous survival of his family and the meaningful "signs" that led to their victory, dons his clerical suit once more. The final scene shows him preparing to conduct mass in the church, winter snow falling gently outside--a symbol of renewal and hope.

Throughout the film, every detail--the crop circles, the clicking sounds, Bo's glasses of water, Morgan's asthma, Merrill's baseball bat, and Colleen's last words--interweaves into a tapestry of fate and faith. The story closes on the powerful message that even in the darkest moments, signs of hope and divine purpose can emerge, guiding humanity through fear and uncertainty.

In the ending of the movie "Signs," Graham Hess and his family confront the alien invaders in their home. After a series of tense encounters, Graham discovers that water is a weakness for the aliens. He uses this knowledge to protect his children and ultimately defeats the alien that has entered their home. The film concludes with a sense of hope and renewed faith for Graham, as he realizes that the events leading up to this moment were not random but part of a larger plan.

As the climax of "Signs" unfolds, the tension in the Hess household reaches a fever pitch. The night is dark, and the atmosphere is thick with fear as Graham Hess, played by Mel Gibson, prepares to face the alien threat that has been terrorizing his family. The scene is set in the dimly lit living room, where Graham, his son Morgan, and his daughter Bo are huddled together, their faces illuminated by the flickering light of a flashlight. The air is heavy with anxiety, and the sound of distant rustling outside heightens their sense of dread.

Graham's internal struggle is palpable; he is a man who has lost his faith after the tragic death of his wife, and now he must protect his children from an unimaginable danger. As the aliens begin to invade their home, Graham's protective instincts kick in. He recalls the earlier events that led them to this moment, including the discovery of crop circles and the unsettling footage of the alien creatures. Each memory weighs heavily on him, but he knows he must act decisively.

In a pivotal moment, Graham remembers that the aliens are vulnerable to water. This realization comes as a flash of clarity amidst the chaos. He quickly devises a plan to use this knowledge to their advantage. The family gathers in the kitchen, where Graham instructs Morgan to fill containers with water while he prepares to confront the alien that has entered their home. The tension escalates as they hear the alien moving through the house, its presence a constant reminder of the danger they face.

As the alien finally reveals itself, the scene is both terrifying and surreal. The creature, with its elongated limbs and menacing appearance, embodies the fear that has been building throughout the film. Graham, fueled by a mix of fear and determination, confronts the alien. In a heart-pounding sequence, he uses the water to incapacitate the creature, splashing it with the liquid and watching as it recoils in pain. The alien's vulnerability is a turning point, and Graham's actions are driven by a fierce love for his children.

In the aftermath of the confrontation, the family emerges from the ordeal changed but united. Graham's faith, which had been shattered, begins to mend as he reflects on the events that transpired. He realizes that the signs leading up to this moment were not mere coincidences but part of a greater purpose. The film closes with a sense of hope; Graham embraces his children, and the camera pans out to show the dawn breaking outside, symbolizing a new beginning.

Morgan and Bo, having faced their fears alongside their father, are safe, and the family is left to rebuild their lives after the harrowing experience. Graham's journey from despair to renewed faith encapsulates the film's central themes of hope, protection, and the interconnectedness of life's events. The ending leaves the audience with a sense of resolution, as the Hess family stands together, ready to face whatever comes next.

The movie "Signs," directed by M. Night Shyamalan and released in 2002, does not have a post-credit scene. The film concludes with a powerful climax and resolution, focusing on the themes of faith, family, and the unknown. After the final confrontation with the alien invaders, the story wraps up with a sense of closure, leaving no additional scenes or content after the credits. The film ends on a note of hope and renewal for the characters, particularly Graham Hess, as he reflects on the events and the significance of the signs that led him to rediscover his faith.

The crop circles in 'Signs' serve as a central plot device that symbolizes the mysterious and ominous presence of extraterrestrial beings. They are discovered by Graham Hess, played by Mel Gibson, and his children, which sets off a series of events that lead to the family's confrontation with the alien threat. The circles are initially seen as a puzzling phenomenon, but as the story unfolds, they become a harbinger of the impending invasion, reflecting the characters' fears and the unknown.

Graham Hess, a former priest, struggles deeply with the loss of his wife, Colleen, who died in a tragic accident. His grief manifests in his reluctance to embrace faith and hope, leading to a sense of despair and disconnection from his former beliefs. Throughout the film, his internal conflict is palpable; he grapples with feelings of guilt and helplessness, especially when he is faced with the alien threat. His journey towards acceptance and rediscovery of faith is intricately tied to his relationship with his children and the events that unfold.

Merrill Hess, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, is Graham's younger brother and a former minor league baseball player. His character adds depth to the family dynamic, providing both comic relief and emotional support. Merrill is initially skeptical about the crop circles and the alien threat, but as the events escalate, he becomes more involved in protecting his family. His character arc reflects themes of courage and redemption, culminating in a pivotal moment where he steps up to confront the aliens, showcasing his growth and commitment to his family.

Bo Hess, the young daughter of Graham, played by Abigail Breslin, has a unique perspective on the events unfolding around her. She is deeply intuitive and believes that water is a crucial element in the fight against the aliens, as she is obsessed with leaving glasses of water around the house. Her innocent yet profound insights serve as a catalyst for the family's actions, particularly in the climax of the film. Bo's character embodies hope and purity, and her belief in the significance of water ultimately plays a critical role in the family's survival against the alien invaders.

The theme of faith is intricately woven into the character arcs, particularly that of Graham Hess. After the death of his wife, Graham loses his faith and struggles with the idea of a higher power. Throughout the film, his journey is marked by moments of doubt and revelation, especially as he faces the alien threat. The characters' faith, or lack thereof, influences their responses to the crisis, with Graham's eventual rediscovery of belief serving as a pivotal moment that shapes the outcome of the story. The film explores how faith can provide strength in the face of fear and uncertainty.