M. Night's "Signs" -- Re-Watch Mini-Review and Examination of the Demon Theory

[Guestx]

So after the extensive discussion about Signs in the Visit thread, I decided to give it another look. It had been quite a few years since I had last seen it. Maybe 10. Long enough at least that, while I remembered the general plot, I had forgotten a lot of the details and could never quite remember what comes next.

So what I'm going to do in this thread is give a brief review on this film after re-visiting it after so many years, and then dive into an examination of the well-known "demon" theory and see how this holds up after a fresh viewing.

Without further ado.

Mini-Review: ​

There's so much going on this movie. It's a sci-fi film about an alien invasion (or is it? wait, we'll get to that later), it's a film about one man who has lost his spiritual faith, it's a film about a brother who can't seem to get his life on track, it's a film about a family that is trying to hold itself together after a terrible tragedy. . .

There are several stories going on at once here--all separate but all intertwined--and all told with skilled craft. But the main thread that runs through the whole movie is that of faith. Do we live in a godless world or is there a reason to believe that something greater is out there? In fact, while Signs is often considered a movie about invading aliens, I'd argue that the aliens are ultimately just a plot device that allows us to explore what the movie is REALLY about -- faith and the bonds of a family in trying times.

Signs is every bit as good as I remember it being. The criticism about the water twist is legitimate, but in my view it's a small thing that is overpowered by the movie's many strengths. This is a film full of HEART that manages to simultaneously bring "the feels" while also creating an atmosphere of suspense and, occasionally, outright dread. This was M. Night at his best.

 

[Lost]

I did address that when I said, "While less voluminous than the supporting evidence, it nonetheless punches some pretty big logical holes into the demonic interpretation. (Although one could argue that demons are masters of deception.)"

But again, as I mentioned in point four, it's up to the theorist to really PROVE his case. While we don't know for sure what demons can and can't do, at least within Christian tradition they are generally regarded as non-corporeal beings with no real physical nature of their own.

Remember the old saying, "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." So while it's true we don't KNOW what demons can do, if we're being fair we definitely have to go ahead and throw those points into the arguments AGAINST the demonic interpretation.

Mel Gibson is a pastor in the movie as well, I think that is important to note.

 

[Guestx]

The Demon Theory​

For those who are not familiar with the demon theory, go ahead and read this first:

http://www.quietearth.us/articles/2...ink-everything-about-M-Night-Shyamalans-SIGNS

Last night while watching the movie I kept a notebook nearby and jotted down two columns of information: Detracting Evidence and Supporting Evidence. I hope these headings are self-explanatory.

The question here is: Can the aliens in the film be read as demons--either in addition to or instead of ETs, and did M. Night intentionally encode this double-meaning into the film? Ever since running into the demon fan theory I've been meaning to go back and watch the movie with the theory in mind, and now I've finally done it. I'll first present the evidence, as I see it, that is presented in the film and then give my personal conclusion.

To make this easier and so that no one will get confused by the names, here's the cast of characters we're dealing with:

Graham (Mel Gibson) - The Father
Merrill (Joaquin Phoenix) - The Uncle / Graham's Younger Brother
Morgan (Rory Culkin) - Graham's Son / The Little Brother
Bo (Abigail Breslin) - Graham's Daughter / The Little Sister


First I'd like to deal with the detracting evidence which goes against the theory and get that out of the way.

Detracting Evidence

​

1. The Baby Monitor - During a crucial scene in the movie, in which the family as a whole begins to realize that they are dealing with something not of the this world, they pick up signals on a baby monitor. Morgan realizes that these signals are the creatures talking (presumably over some kind of radio frequency, perhaps between ships). It's confirmed later that this is clearly a form of verbal communication, leading one to ask the question, What sort of demons have a verbal language? And how is it that their voices can be picked up on a baby monitor?

2. The Creatures Are Clearly Corporeal - When we think of demons, we don't think of flesh-and-blood beings with extensions in time and space; rather, we think of disembodied spirits with no physical bodies. But the creatures in Signs clearly are physical in nature, or at least have the ability to manifest physically. There are a number of things that point to this but the most important is this: In the scene at Ray Reddy's house when the creature is locked in the pantry, Graham chops off two of its fingers. Not only this, but at the end of the movie this same creature--missing its fingers--comes back, and not only comes back, but also uses a physical weapon on Morgan (the poison gas), implying a reliance on technology.

3. Navigation - Morgan, who is often the character providing us with key pieces of information throughout the movie (and reliably so, I think), tells us that the real purpose of the crop circles is for navigation. The creatures use them to know where they're supposed to be and how to get there. Why would demons need such navigational clues?

4. The Movie Tells Us It's Aliens - This point is pretty obvious. The movie comes right out and SAYS, "Hey guys, we're dealing with aliens here." So it is of course on the shoulders of the theorist to prove that there's more going on here than we are being told by the movie's creator and its characters.

 

[EmpireShallFall]

 

[Guestx]

Supporting Evidence​

1. The Creatures' Appearance - As the writer of the original demon theory post states, these guys don't appear to be space-farers but rather "clawed, naked beast creatures." We would expect legitimate aliens to be highly intelligent and masters of technology. If that's the case, why would they come down to a foreign planet wearing no protective gear? Are they just perfectly attuned to our atmosphere and climate? And do they have no knowledge of their weakness to water? Furthermore, demons have long been depicted as having claw-like hands with long-sharp nails.

2. "Alien craft" Not Detected by Radar - Okay, this piece of evidence is fairly weak, but it's something to consider. When the lights in the sky appear over Mexico City, the newscaster makes it a point to say that the activity was not detected by radar. Since these are supposedly highly advanced aliens it would make sense that they would have cloaking technology, there's something about the way the newscaster says it--I believe he says it twice in fact--that makes you wonder if there's something more significant about this statement. We never do see a craft, only lights. So is this a way of telling us that there is no actual physical craft at all and the whole thing is an act of deception?

3. The Creatures Aren't in the Alien Book - This is another fairly weak argument but one that I find interesting. Early in the movie Morgan goes to a bookstore and buys a book on extra-terrestrials and this is essentially the source that's used to learn all that we know about aliens. Some of the information sounds legitimate, but other information seems dubious (i.e. tin-foil hats keep the aliens from reading people's minds) so it's hard to know how much we can trust this book. But one thing to note is that there are a variety of depictions of aliens in the book. All of these pictures show a creature that appears much like the classic Grey. And none of these pictures looks anything like the creatures that are now invading earth.

4. The Water Theory "Sounds Made Up" - At one point Graham tells Merrill and the kids about Ray Reddy's water theory. Ray doesn't have any real reasoning beyond the fact that the creatures haven't been seen much near water, that's it. Morgan says the idea "sounds made up" and Merrill and Bo agree that it doesn't sound right. One thing to keep in mind here is that, as I mentioned earlier, from the beginning Morgan has been our conduit of information about the creatures. He was the one who first tuned into the signal on the baby monitor. He is the one who realizes that the crop circles are used for navigation. He is the one who provides what little information we have about the creatures' possible motivations. He is the Keeper of the Book. So when he reacts negatively--almost violently--to the water theory, it may be something we are supposed to listen to. I know you're saying, "But wait! It WAS water that defeated the aliens!" I know, I know. I'm getting to that.

5. Bo is Special - We'll have to take this one in parts.

* Early on it's revealed that when the creatures are nearby, animals tune into this and lose their minds. They go rabid. During this earliest incident Morgan has to kill the family dog. After he does it, Morgan says, "He tried to kill Bo." Not "He tried to kill ME," but "he tried to kill Bo." Why would the dog want to kill Bo? Is there something special about Bo? Was the dog somehow being influenced by the creatures to kill her because she is dangerous to them? The original theory post says that Bo is referred to both as "holy" and as "an angel." I didn't catch a reference to her holiness, but she is told that when she was born she was "LIKE an angel." Is she like an angel literally, in her nature? If the creatures are in fact demons (i.e. fallen angels) then it would make sense that they'd put extra effort into attacking her.

* Bo has a special relationship with water. Every glass of water she touches she decides there's something wrong with it and she wants a new glass, which leads to lots of glasses of water being left around the house. It is these glasses of water that are ultimately used to defeat the invading creature at the end. It's always BO'S WATER, not just any water. Is there something special about Bo's water? Is the original theorist correct that Bo--perhaps by her angelic nature--has infused each glass with her angelic nature, transforming it into HOLY WATER? Because if we pay attention, there's never another mention anywhere in the movie of water actually causing harm to any of the creatures. The viewer may assume that there is, because of the conversation with Ray Reddy earlier, but its effectiveness is never confirmed outside of the Hess household. Which leads me to my final point. . .

* Near the beginning of the film, as illustrated by my gif, Bo comes up to her dad and says, "There's a monster outside my room. Can I have a glass of water?" This is long before water is ever discussed as any sort of weapon, but thinking about it in hindsight it is VERY CLEAR that Bo is not asking for something to drink here, she's asking for something to protect herself. Bo somehow already KNOWS that water (or perhaps only her water?) is effective in warding off these entities, further proving that she has some sort of supernatural powers. (<-- Thanks to Kick Strickland for this one.)

6. Three Cities in the Middle East - At the end of the movie there's a final TV broadcast where the newscaster says (and I might be paraphrasing this very slightly), "Three cities in the Middle East found a method to defeat them using a primitive method." Take careful note that it does not say WATER was used. It says three cities "in the Middle East" (the home of the Holy Land) found success using "a primitive method." Merely throwing small amounts of water on something has never been known as an effective method of attack, but the use of holy water is an ancient and primitive method that has traditionally been used in spiritual warfare. And the reaction that the creature has near the end when water is thrown on him is not unlike the reaction that demon-possessed people supposedly have when coming in contact with holy water.

 

[Guestx]

Not that this matters but Priests aren't suppose to be married lol
Mel should have been a Preacher in this one. Decent film I suppose but I still liked 6th sense and Unbreakable a lot more. This might be his 3rd best film. I'll rematch later if I can remember but this idea doesn't seem to far fetched for me.

He refers to himself in the movie as a "reverend," not a priest, so I suspect he was Episcopalian. They also wear the clergy collars and all that jazz.

 

[Guestx]

Conclusion​

I think a strong case can be made for the demon theory. There is definitely some good evidence to suggest that M. Night had a few tricks up his sleeve with this script and there's a hidden narrative within the main story. The detracting evidence, however, is strong I think. While less voluminous than the supporting evidence, it nonetheless punches some pretty big logical holes into the demonic interpretation. (Although one could argue that demons are masters of deception.)

One thing that is definitely true is that the demon theory allows you to resolve certain narrative problems like, "Why would the demons come down without protective suits on?" and "Really? WATER?!"

Personally, I think that one's own openness to the theory will depend on how much weight you place on certain factors. If you just can't get over the detracting evidence, then that's understandable. On the other hand, if you find the supporting evidence to be strong enough that you clearly feel like Shyamalan is trying to say SOMETHING that's not obvious on the surface, then I can definitely understand that as well.

For me, I think the movie works (albeit imperfectly) as a film about an alien invasion. I also think it works (albeit imperfectly) as a movie about demonic forces at work. And I know that I'll never be able to watch it again without interpreting it on both levels, regardless of what the director intended. Though I will say this: If the theory is correct, and M. Night intentionally encoded this hidden story-within-a-story in the movie, knowing that only a few would ever see this hidden meaning, then he is a GENIUS and Signs stands as an even better movie that I previously gave it credit for.

 

[Bet Me]

He refers to himself in the movie as a "reverend," not a priest, so I suspect he was Episcopalian. They also wear the clergy collars and all that jazz.

Ok that makes more sense. Watching now, will post again later.

 

[Pittie Petey]

I dont understand how 1,2 and 3 disproves demons
How do we know what demons can and cant do?

 

[Guestx]

Ok that makes more sense. Watching now, will post again later.

Cool, I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

 

[Guestx]

I dont understand how 1,2 and 3 disproves demons
How do we know what demons can and cant do?

I did address that when I said, "While less voluminous than the supporting evidence, it nonetheless punches some pretty big logical holes into the demonic interpretation. (Although one could argue that demons are masters of deception.)"

But again, as I mentioned in point four, it's up to the theorist to really PROVE his case. While we don't know for sure what demons can and can't do, at least within Christian tradition they are generally regarded as non-corporeal beings with no real physical nature of their own.

Remember the old saying, "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." So while it's true we don't KNOW what demons can do, if we're being fair we definitely have to go ahead and throw those points into the arguments AGAINST the demonic interpretation.

 

[Guestx]

Mel Gibson is a pastor in the movie as well, I think that is important to note.

Yeah, the theme of religion and faith is running all through this movie, quite overtly. On that note, I sent links to my OP to a friend and he said:

I enjoyed this. You actually have me convinced that M. Night definitely wanted the audience to flirt with the idea of demons. He didn't overtly insist that they are demons, but there are elements that demand we at least compare demons with the aliens, given the religious context.

Like you say, since he is a pastor, and there is so much emphasis placed upon the existence of the divine, that is just further reason to at least be open to the demon theory.

 

[airic_15]

"Tom, i'll need a ride home

 

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

Excellent essay, shadow priest.

Though a very clever and fun notion, the demon theory is just an unofficial fan-fiction to me.

 

[TrueBias]

When it comes to entertainment, I was entertained. I absolutely loved the ending for the music and the placement of all the fateful elements. I am agnostic, so its astounding that it affected me so, but I have a TrueBias to movie music.

I read the demon theory web site and thought it was well thought out. When it comes to analyzing the shit out of this, well, I just wont play that game. Whether I agree with the theory or not, my fondness for any movie I analyze will deteriorate. I dont want that. I understand people were going crazy about the aliens being killed by water, but in the moment, I simply did not care. The movie entertained me and thus, did a movie's job.

Your thoughts about the baby monitor, how theyd look, its all conjecture. No one truly knows, so your opinion will be swayed in anyway you feel.

 

[Guestx]

Excellent essay, shadow priest.

Though a very clever and fun notion, the demon theory is just an unofficial fan-fiction.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

It's a fan THEORY, but I wouldn't call it fan FICTION. (Unless you're talking about the few sentences from that Something Awful "interview.")

Are you saying you don't leave the possibility open at all that M. Night did write the film so that these connections could be made?

 

[Kick Strickland]

It works as aliens or as demons. But I think given that the entire movie is structured around religion, the main character is a priest, the "aliens" are naked, clawed beasts, we see ZERO alien technology of any kind, and the last resounding shot in the film is of a crucifix....it's demons, bro.

 

[HereticBD]

Are you saying you don't leave the possibility open at all that M. Night did write the film so that these connections could be made?

Yes. That's exactly what he's saying. Fan theories are fun, but to believe that directors are thinking on so many levels while making a film, especially a very basic film like "Signs", is a little hard to swallow.

I even take pause with an artist like the great Stanley Kubrick. Watch "Room 237", and you'll see just how insane some theories can get.

Like I said, fun stuff, but I'd wager 95% of these theories are bullshit.

 

[TrueBias]

I didnt remember a cross. Maybe on the wall to the side?

 

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

It's a fan THEORY, but I wouldn't call it fan FICTION. (Unless you're talking about the few sentences from that Something Awful "interview.")

Are you saying you don't leave the possibility open at all that M. Night did write the film so that these connections could be made?

What HereticBD said.

Edit: As for the possibility that M. Night left the possibility that Signs is about demons is akin to the possibility that Steven Spielberg meant that the shark in Jaws was actually a demon shark in light of a new, popular fan theory about the movie. No matter how clever the demon shark fan theory is and how it fits somewhat, I will never buy that Spielberg meant Jaws as a demon shark movie.

 

[osudude]

I rewatched it with the sound off, completely changed my opinion.

 

[Guestx]

Yes. That's exactly what he's saying. Fan theories are fun, but to believe that directors are thinking on so many levels while making a film, especially a very basic film like "Signs", is a little hard to swallow.

I even take pause with an artist like the great Stanley Kubrick. Watch "Room 237", and you'll see just how insane some theories can get.

Like I said, fun stuff, but I'd wager 95% of these theories are bullshit.

The funny thing is, after breaking down Signs like this, I thought to myself, "The next time I write a script"--and I do that sometimes--"I'm going to intentionally write it with a hidden meaning." I'll drop clues throughout the film that only a few people will ever put together. That'll be fun!

And if I'M sitting here thinking that, you have to think that other, much more accomplished filmmakers have not only thought about it but done it.

And I have actually seen Room 237. That's an interesting ride. Some of the theories are definitely bullshit, while others seemed more plausible.

I especially liked the bit about the color of the VW Beetles.

 

[MC Paul Barman]

One of the more interesting posts I've read on sherdog in a long time.... nice work, Shadow Priest

 

[Guestx]

What HereticBD said.

What I said to HereticBD.

 

[Guestx]

When it comes to entertainment, I was entertained. I absolutely loved the ending for the music and the placement of all the fateful elements. I am agnostic, so its astounding that it affected me so, but I have a TrueBias to movie music.

I read the demon theory web site and thought it was well thought out. When it comes to analyzing the shit out of this, well, I just wont play that game. Whether I agree with the theory or not, my fondness for any movie I analyze will deteriorate. I dont want that. I understand people were going crazy about the aliens being killed by water, but in the moment, I simply did not care. The movie entertained me and thus, did a movie's job.

It's a great movie regardless. Like you, the water thing seemed a bit iffy to me when I saw the movie, but as long as I've enjoyed the film as a whole I'm just not the type to get too worked up over a single element.

Your thoughts about the baby monitor, how theyd look, its all conjecture. No one truly knows, so your opinion will be swayed in anyway you feel.

Not entirely. The film is coming from a Christian theological perspective. And Christian tradition holds some things to be true about demons (and other things to be false) so we have a framework within which we're working and we can draw upon that.

 

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

What I said to HereticBD.

Lol.

 

[Guestx]

One of the more interesting posts I've read on sherdog in a long time.... nice work, Shadow Priest

Hey man, thanks! Between watching the movie, thinking about all this and writing up the post I probably spent 5+ hours on this project. I was really hoping some people would find it interesting and all that typing and formatting was worth it.

 

[Guestx]

Also, one more thing about fan theories. . .

As I'm sure many here know, there are a lot of Game of Thrones fan theories. R + L = J, for instance, being one of the better known. George RR Martin has publicly said that he's aware of many of these theories and that some of them are in fact correct. He obviously won't say which ones, but he has said that some of these theorists HAVE gotten it right.

So don't automatically write something off just because it's a fan theory.

 

[MC Paul Barman]

One thought.... according to the demon theory.... what if water was supposed to be used as a sacramental? Meaning, like holy water. Holy water is regularly used in exorcisms.

So maybe that's the link to the demon theory. Which would make more sense than aliens not being able to handle water splashed on them.

 

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

Also, one more thing about fan theories. . .

As I'm sure many here know, there are a lot of Game of Thrones fan theories. R + L = J, for instance, being one of the better known. George RR Martin has publicly said that he's aware of many of these theories and that some of them are in fact correct. He obviously won't say which ones, but he has said that some of these theorists HAVE gotten it right.

So don't automatically write something off just because it's a fan theory.

True but it's different from an open-and-shut case movie that came out in 2002 (Signs) than an uber-popular TV and book series that is still ongoing and nothing is yet definite.

It also wouldn't surprise me that GRRM will incorporate some fan theories to his book since I suspect he was struggling with how to get to the finish line. He knows how the books are going to end, he just have a hard time coming up for the middle parts. Well, that's just my fan theory...

 

[MC Paul Barman]

HA! you already beat me to it.

You brought up the Holy Water possibility. I was alittle too jumpy

 

[HereticBD]

So don't automatically write something off just because it's a fan theory.

At the same time, don't lend authenticity to a fan theory just because the creator vaguely lends some validity to it. It's all about buzz.

Next time you do write a script though, try and actually conceive something on the level that some of these theories go into. You won't be able to, and it's not because you're dumb. It's because it's impossible. There are certain layers a highly intelligent script writer can go into, and achieve, but on the "conspiracy theory-esque" level that some fan theories go into, is just not possible. Even a super-genius could not concieve half the shit that gets tossed around on the internet while writing a script, or filming a movie.

 

[Guestx]

I rewatched it with the sound off, completely changed my opinion.

How so?

 

[Guestx]

At the same time, don't lend authenticity to a fan theory just because the creator vaguely lends some validity to it. It's all about buzz.

Not sure if you watch Game of Thrones, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if R + L = J turns out to be true. I think there's a really strong case there to be made.

And that's exactly what I said about the Signs demon theory. In my conclusion, I did say that I don't necessarily BELIEVE in the theory. I just think you can make a solid case for it and that, to me, is interesting.

Next time you do write a script though, try and actually conceive something on the level that some of these theories go into. You won't be able to, and it's not because you're dumb. It's because it's impossible. There are certain layers a highly intelligent script writer can go into, and achieve, but on the "conspiracy theory-esque" level that some fan theories go into, is just not possible. Even a super-genius could not concieve half the shit that gets tossed around on the internet while writing a script, or filming a movie.

I guess it depends on what we're talking about. I think someone could write Signs, for instance, and intentionally write it in a way that could say these creatures are aliens while also dropping a few pointers that maybe they're actually something much more diabolic.

It seems to me that, if you'd want to insert a hidden meaning or interpretation into a script, it's mostly done through lines of dialogue here and there . . . objects dropped into key locations . . . a particular character wearing a particular t-shirt with a particular symbol or message on it. . . That sort of thing.

So I guess I accept your challenge. I will try to do as you ask.

 

[EmpireShallFall]

Either way the movie was terrible.

 

[Guestx]

Edit: As for the possibility that M. Night left the possibility that Signs is about demons is akin to the possibility that Steven Spielberg meant that the shark in Jaws was actually a demon shark in light of a new, popular fan theory about the movie. No matter how clever the demon shark fan theory is and how it fits somewhat, I will never buy that Spielberg meant Jaws as a demon shark movie.

Really? You think these are comparable?

I don't feel that way at all. There are not very clear, overt religious overtones in Jaws. But there are in Signs.

 

[Guestx]

I didnt remember a cross. Maybe on the wall to the side?

There was a faded outline of a cross on Graham's bedroom wall, where clearly a cross once stood but was removed after he had lost his faith.

And if we really want to get conspiratorial about it and possibly look for signs that aren't even there, there's a door later in the film that the character's have barricaded themselves behind that has what appears to me a natural cross shape in the design. I wish I had a screencap of that.

 

[Kick Strickland]

but to believe that directors are thinking on so many levels while making a film, especially a very basic film like "Signs", is a little hard to swallow.

What? "Very basic?" No offfense but I get the impression you haven't actually rewatched Signs in many years.

Signs is not a "very basic" film, at all. Almost every event in the entire film has a dual meaning/purpose. Hell, the title itself has a dual meaning, lol!

The way M. Night turned every tragic/bad event in the movie around and turned it into a positive thing...that is far from simple, and it required a lot of thought to pull that off the way he did, imo. The boy having asthma sucks...but that asthma saved his life. The wife dying and speaking "random nonsense" sucked...but it saved the entire family later on. Merill's tendency to "swing like a lumberjack at everything" ruined his baseball career....but later on it saved his family. The little girl's weird fetish with water was bizarre....but it saved them all.

Signs is probably the most complex story M. Night has ever told.

 

[Guestx]

One thought.... according to the demon theory.... what if water was supposed to be used as a sacramental? Meaning, like holy water. Holy water is regularly used in exorcisms.

So maybe that's the link to the demon theory. Which would make more sense than aliens not being able to handle water splashed on them.

HA! you already beat me to it.

You brought up the Holy Water possibility. I was alittle too jumpy

I wish I could claim that as my own but that was included in the original theory that prompted me to go on this little cinematic voyage. If you haven't read that, you should check out the link in the second post.

 

[Guestx]

What? "Very basic?" No offfense but I get the impression you haven't actually rewatched Signs in many years.

Signs is not a "very basic" film, at all. Almost every event in the entire film has a dual meaning/purpose. Hell, the title itself has a dual meaning, lol!

The way M. Night turned every tragic/bad event in the movie around and turned it into a positive thing...that is far from simple, and it required a lot of thought to pull that off the way he did, imo. The boy having asthma sucks...but that asthma saved his life. The wife dying and speaking "random nonsense" sucked...but it saved the entire family later on. Merill's tendency to "swing like a lumberjack at everything" ruined his baseball career....but later on it saved his family. The little girl's weird fetish with water was bizarre....but it saved them all.

Signs is probably the most complex story M. Night has ever told.

Yep.