“I’ve only felt this one time before”: M. Night Shyamalan’s Life Flashed Before His Eyes After He Asked Bruce Willis for a Retake

SUMMARY

• M. Night Shyamalan took a massive risk when he asked Bruce Willis for a retake on The Sixth Sense.
• Shyamalan knew the film needed something more, but the fear of offending Willis loomed over him.
• To Shyamalan’s relief, Willis delivered the performance exactly as requested, hitting the mark.

You know, in the filmmaking world, there’s a lot of smoke and mirrors. Directors, actors, producers—they all make it look easy, like the magic is happening effortlessly. But behind the scenes, it’s a whole different story. It’s the moments of doubt, hesitation, and vulnerability that often make the biggest impact. Just ask M. Night Shyamalan, whose heart probably skipped a beat when he had to ask Bruce Willis for a retake while filming The Sixth Sense. 

Bruce Willis in The Sixth Sense (1999) | Credit: Hollywood Pictures

During a particularly tense scene, Shyamalan wasn’t happy with how the take turned out. He could’ve stayed silent, let it slide, and hoped it would work in the editing room. Instead, he did something that took a lot of guts—he asked Willis to do that scene again. 

M. Night Shyamalan’s risky request: Asking Bruce Willis for a retake of The Sixth Sense scene

In 1999, M. Night Shyamalan was far from the household name he would become. Fresh off a couple of small projects, he was diving headfirst into the unknown with The Sixth Sense. The pressure of making this film was already heavy enough, but the real challenge came when he found himself working with a seasoned star like Bruce Willis. At the time, he wasn’t just a big name—he was ‘the big name’.

So, when Shyamalan needed to ask the star for another take, he was stepping into dangerous waters. He couldn’t afford to offend, but he also knew the film needed something more. In a candid reflection on the making of The Sixth Sense (via GQ), Shyamalan explained just how terrifying that moment truly was. 

Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense (1999) | Credit: Hollywood Pictures

Standing before Willis, Shyamalan could feel the tension building. He stepped forward, whispered his direction in Willis’ ear, and as he pulled away, he felt the cold chill of the actor’s icy gaze. This wasn’t just any retake. The pressure was on, and there was no turning back. 

“I want you to do one more and I want you to do this,” Shyamalan told him, feeling every ounce of that tension. And then, the command: “Roll sound, let’s go!”

To his relief, Willis delivered the performance exactly as Shyamalan had requested. But wait, this behind-the-scenes tale didn’t end there. 

Bruce Willis’ surprising compliment to M. Night Shyamalan after The Sixth Sense retake

Bruce Willis walked off the set of The Sixth Sense after delivering the performance. A few minutes later, M. Night Shyamalan was informed that Willis wanted to see him in his trailer. Naturally, the director was nervous, thinking something might be wrong.

Bruce Willis in The Sixth Sense (1999)

Would Willis be angry? Was this the end of their collaboration?

Well, when he entered, the unexpected happened. Willis greeted him with a compliment that sent Shyamalan’s pulse through the roof. The actor surprised Shyamalan by saying that the direction he gave—asking for that retake—reminded him of the only other time he’d felt something similar, which was working with Quentin Tarantino on Pulp Fiction (via GQ): 

Shyamalan, in disbelief, left the trailer with a smile so wide, that he couldn’t help but “skip down the sidewalk”. He had just been compared to one of the most celebrated directors of the ’90s and had earned the respect of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

This moment wasn’t just a boost to Shyamalan’s confidence—it was a turning point. The Sixth Sense went on to become a cultural phenomenon, earning critical acclaim and massive box-office success (via Box Office Mojo). With a budget of $40 million, the film grossed a whopping $672.8 million, and it earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Picture. 

Willis and Shyamalan would go on to collaborate again, with the former starring in Shyamalan’s Unbreakable trilogy. But it’s The Sixth Sense that remains the defining moment of their partnership.

The Sixth Sense is currently streaming on Max. 

Written by Siddhika Prajapati

Articles Published: 2404