Scary Movie (2000) is a parody that primarily targets the 1999 supernatural slasher The Sixth Sense, along with other contemporary horror formulas. This article explains that relationship, outlines The Sixth Sense’s defining traits, and compares how Scary Movie repurposes plot points for comedy. The guide also maps additional horror and thriller influences on the film’s sketch-driven structure and recurring gags.
Core Source: The Sixth Sense (1999)
Key Plot Elements and Tone
The Sixth Sense, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, centers on a child psychologist (Bruce Willis) working with a boy who communicates with the dead. Its measured pacing, muted palette, and twist ending—revealing the psychologist himself is deceased—define its eerie, emotional horror. Scary Movie selectively exaggerates these elements: the solemn revelations become rapid-fire sight gags, and the tragic undercurrent is replaced by slapstick. Understanding the original’s structure clarifies which jokes target specific narrative beats.
Cast and Character Parallels
| The Sixth Sense (1999) | Scary Movie (2000) | Parody Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) | Dr. Phil (implied authority figure) | Authority as butt of joke |
| Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) | Ray (original kid role, reimagined) | Innocent line twisted for humor |
| Anna Crowe (Toni Collette) | Various distressed parents | Exaggerated maternal panic |
Other Influences on Scary Movie’s Structure
Horror Evocation and Joke Density
While The Sixth Sense is the central spine, Scary Movie also channels Scream (1966 and 1996), I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), The Matrix (1999), and paranormal TV tropes. The film cross-cuts between these references at a high joke density, which means some humor relies on recognizing multiple sources. The composite target list makes the parody broader than a single movie adaptation.
Parody Format: Sketch and Non-Linear Gags
Unlike a straightforward remake, Scary Movie is a sketch-driven compilation. It borrowes scenes out of sequence and re-contextualizes them within unrelated framing stories, like a campus radio subplot. This approach explains why certain Sixth Sense moments appear briefly and are then undercut by non-horbit interruptions, such as the recurring bathroom and male-stereotypes gags.
Context and Legal Landscape
Fair Use and Industry Response
As a broad parody, Scary Movie invokes fair use by targeting recognizable horror conventions rather than copying The Sixth Sense for market substitution. The filmmakers negotiated or relied on transformative use doctrines, which allowed the film to reference iconic moments while altering their emotional weight for laughs. Industry reactions at the time emphasized concerns about taste, not direct legal challenges to The Sixth Sense IP.
Notable Differences Between Source and Parody
- Pacing: The Sixth Use slow build versus Scary Movie’s rapid-cut gags.
- Tone: The original’s tragic, suspenseful mood is replaced by lowbrow shock and wordplay.
- Ending: The definitive twist becomes a setup for a running joke in Scary Movie.
- Character Function: In the original, characters develop trauma and insight; in the parody, they exist to introduce targets for jokes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because the question references a single film, these clarifications focus on how that source material shaped the parody, rather than treating Scary Movie as a franchise headline.
- Which movie provides the central structure for Scary Movie? The Sixth Sense is the primary spine for the film’s horror elements.
- Does Scary Movie tell the story of The Sixth Sense? No; it reduces key scenes to quick gags without replicating the drama.
- Are other movies referenced? Yes, including Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and The Matrix, creating a multi-source template.
- How does parody legally differ from remake? Parody comments on or critiques the original and is treated differently under fair use than a scene-for-scene remake.
- Why is The Sixth Sense often mentioned with Scary Movie? Its twist and emotional climax are instantly recognizable targets for satirical payoff.
Evergreen Takeaways
Scary Movie endures because it compresses widely known horror signatures into fast, quotable bits. Recognizing The Sixth Sense as the core reference helps viewers see how the parody edits pathos into punctuation. Subsequent films in the series shift targets, but this foundational relationship remains the clearest lens for understanding the movie’s humor mechanics.