This was a sleeper hit when it first premiered; not overly advertised but still made an impact at the box-office. The plot is very original and one of a kind considering the tripe that was released at the time this was. Newcomer Haley Joel Osment gives an unbelievable performance as Cole giving all the wide-eyed enthusiasm and innocence of a kid while also being able to display a terrifying presence when he experiences these horrifying scenes in which he learns his gift. He often seems so vulnerable and terrified in this, that you instantly feel for him. I think the movie is symbolic on how a young innocent boy can tend to experience the horrors of the world at an early age, as does Osment’s character as he rapidly loses his innocence in the movie make a character transition towards the end, better understanding what he was meant to be.
