How Toni Collette's Role in The Sixth Sense Inspired Kaitlyn Dever to Become an Actress

In Hollywood, inspiration can strike in the most unexpected ways. For acclaimed actress Kaitlyn Dever, known for her powerful performances in Unbelievable, Booksmart, and Dopesick, that inspiration came from a haunting yet deeply human performance in the 1999 supernatural thriller The Sixth Sense. The role in question? Toni Collette’s unforgettable portrayal of Lynn Sear, a single mother struggling to understand her son’s terrifying secret.

While The Sixth Sense is widely remembered for its chilling atmosphere and mind-bending twist, it was Toni Collette’s grounded and emotionally raw performance that left a lasting impression on a young Kaitlyn Dever. In fact, Collette’s role didn’t just make an impact—it helped ignite Dever’s passion for acting and solidified her decision to pursue it as a lifelong career.

Early Beginnings: Kaitlyn Dever’s Introduction to Acting

Before her breakout roles and award nominations, Kaitlyn Dever was a curious, imaginative child with a love for storytelling. She began attending acting school at just five years old, a remarkably early start that laid the foundation for her career. But according to Dever herself, while acting school sparked her interest, it was a specific on-screen performance that truly lit the fire within her.

That performance, of course, was Toni Collette in The Sixth Sense. At a time when Dever was still exploring what acting meant and what kind of stories she wanted to tell, Collette’s deeply emotional role showed her just how powerful and transformative acting could be.

“She Just Seemed Like a Real Person”

In various interviews, Kaitlyn Dever has opened up about the moment she first saw The Sixth Sense. Rather than being captivated by the ghosts or the plot twists, she found herself transfixed by Collette’s authenticity. “She just seemed like a real person,” Dever has said—a simple statement that holds a world of meaning for any aspiring actor.

Toni Collette’s ability to bring vulnerability, confusion, strength, and maternal love to her role resonated with Dever in a way that few performances ever had. Despite the film’s horror genre, it was the emotional truth of the character—her very human reactions to an extraordinary situation—that stayed with Dever long after the credits rolled.

Emotion Over Genre: A Lasting Impression

Many actors point to dramatic performances or biopics as their source of inspiration. For Kaitlyn Dever, it was the emotional undercurrent in a horror film that changed everything. In a 2025 interview with InStyle Australia, Dever revisited that defining moment, stating that Toni Collette’s performance in The Sixth Sense was so emotionally impactful, she’ll “never forget it.”

It’s a testament to how a performance doesn’t need to be flashy or overtly dramatic to inspire. Sometimes, it’s the quiet, nuanced moments—the trembling voice, the desperate glance, the protective embrace—that speak the loudest. For Dever, Collette’s performance did just that. It wasn’t the supernatural elements that drew her in; it was the deep, relatable emotion portrayed on screen.

From Inspiration to Action: Dever’s Career Takes Shape

After witnessing Toni Collette’s performance, Kaitlyn Dever began to understand what acting could be: a tool for empathy, connection, and storytelling at its most intimate level. This newfound clarity pushed her to pursue more serious roles and hone her craft with dedication.

As her career developed, it became clear that Dever had absorbed more than just inspiration—she had internalized Collette’s approach to acting. Much like her role model, Dever is celebrated for her emotional authenticity and naturalistic performances. Whether she’s playing a teenager caught in a web of trauma in Unbelievable or a conflicted daughter in Beautiful Boy, Dever channels emotion in a way that feels real, raw, and deeply human.

A Full-Circle Moment of Inspiration

Toni Collette may not have known it at the time, but her performance in The Sixth Sense helped shape one of today’s most promising young actors. Kaitlyn Dever’s admiration hasn’t waned with time, and she continues to credit Collette as a key influence on her artistic journey.

It’s a beautiful example of how great performances transcend genre, age, and even time. For every movie lover or aspiring actor, there’s that one role that stays with them—one that makes them believe in the magic of storytelling. For Kaitlyn Dever, that role was Lynn Sear, brought to life by the incomparable Toni Collette.

Why This Matters for the Next Generation of Actors

In a world increasingly driven by fame and instant recognition, Dever’s story is a refreshing reminder that true artistry still matters. It underscores the impact that authentic, emotionally honest performances can have—not just on audiences, but on future creators.

For aspiring actors today, Toni Collette’s role in The Sixth Sense offers more than just a masterclass in emotional depth—it offers hope. Hope that a single performance, rooted in truth, can change someone’s life.

Final Thoughts

Kaitlyn Dever’s acting journey may have started in a classroom, but it was Toni Collette’s fearless, heartfelt performance in The Sixth Sense that made her truly see what was possible. It's a reminder that inspiration can be found in unexpected places—and that the most powerful stories are the ones told from the heart.