I didn't think he knew until the end of the movie.

@ausfem said:

I didn't think he knew until the end of the movie.

But why exactly? Cole says he gets a certain feeling inside when a ghost is near. Malcom showed up out of nowhere at his house, school and the hospital. Cole isn't stupid and has experience with ghosts. His mother never even mentioned Malcolm. He's also scared and flees inside the church when Malcolm first shows up.

Maybe I wasn't paying too much attention. I don't remember the church scene. I don't know, maybe Malcom is a more evolved ghost? and Cole doesn't sense it.. Sounds ludicrous I know

@ausfem

Yeah, kinda, but whatever floats your boat.

@Stratego! said:

...that Malcolm was dead?

YES, he did.

I always wondered about that too. Having read the other replies, I'm still not absolutely certain about it. However, Cole must have wondered how and why this man turned up out of the blue, continually ....The kid was psychic - not stupid. Who knows - I'm just thinking out loud.!