Continuity mistake: In the scene where Malcolm Crowe is showing Cole the "vanishing penny" trick, watch Malcolm's hair as the scenes cut back and forth between the child and Malcolm. Malcolm's hair (front) goes from perfectly combed to a duck tail. (00:38:30)
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Plot summary
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams, Haley Joel Osment, Haley Joel Osmont
Dr. Malcolm Crowe is a successful child psychiatrist and happily married to Anna. Returning home from an awards ceremony, Malcolm's confronted by Vincent Grey, a distraught former patient who shoots Malcolm and commits suicide. Months later, a recovered Malcolm meets with Cole Sear, a shy and troubled 9 year-old boy. Cole has been experiencing disturbing situations he can't fully understand. His mother, Lynn, is concerned about his withdrawn and fearful behavior and attributes it to her recent divorce and Cole being bullied by school classmates.
Initially, Cole is uncomfortable talking to Malcolm but comes to trust him and confides, "I see dead people." He says the ghosts don't always know they are dead. Malcolm diagnoses Cole as delusional, noting he shares similar symptoms to Vincent Grey. Eventually, Malcolm realises Cole really is able to communicate with the dead (as was Vincent). He believes the ghosts are benevolent and tells Cole the spirits somehow find their way to him for his help.
Since the shooting, Malcolm and Anna, have grown apart. She has become depressed and uncommunicative. Malcolm unsuccessfully reaches out to her, and is upset when it appears she is seeing another man.
More mistakes in The Sixth Sense
Vincent Gray: Do you know why you're afraid when you're alone? I do. I do.
Trivia: For his role as Vincent, Donnie Wahlberg lost so much weight that, between when he met M. Night Shyamalan and when he arrived on set for filming, Shyamalan found him completely unrecognizable.
Question: Does Cole know for the whole movie that Malcolm is dead? If he does, why isn't he afraid of him like he is of the other dead people in the movie?
Answer: Yes, of course. Remember that Cole tells us that these ghosts only "see what they want to see". To avoid giving away the whole plot twist of the movie, we see Malcolm as he sees himself - no injury, and dressed as would be appropriate for where he sees himself. But we know Cole can see dead people, and he sees them as they truly are. The young blonde boy with the back of his head blown out should make this clear. As for the second part of your question, I think Cole is scared of Malcolm at first. You can see his fear when Malcolm walks past him in the church to sit in the pew in front of where he is playing. His tension slowly eases during their conversation, but he still looks wary as he leaves the church. I get the impression that Cole spends large portions of his time in this building, yet he leaves this time within a few minutes of arriving; he doesn't want to stay near this new ghost. He becomes comfortable with him later of course, and Malcolm eventually wins his trust through honesty about his own problems, but this is not true from the start.
Answer: I think we have to assume, while it is never said, that Cole is not afraid of all ghosts, just some that are angry, upset or creepy. He has talked to them, as evidenced that he knows Latin phrases, or the guy killed in Vietnam in the specific division and province. So while a bit scared of all of them, he is willing to talk or listen a little, but not enough to know they want his help. Then, here comes a child psychologist who knows how to talk to kids and get them to open up a bit, and Cole starts to trust him. But he certainly seems to know he is a ghost. While it is not said, he probably knows the difference between seeing a ghost and a live person always.
Answer: Cole knew that Malcolm was dead as early as the first few scenes. When he opens his door to the house he doesn't immediately step out. Almost as if he didn't want to go out that day. After he finally muster up the courage, he waits for Malcolm to look away as he hurriedly makes his exit. He also picks up his pace as Malcolm begins to follow him. He knew from the very first time he saw him, and yes he was just as afraid of Malcolm as he was of the other ghost.