Stephen King talks about the same idea in his non-fiction treatise on horror fiction "Danse Macabre;" he calls the process of revealing the terror "opening the door," and maintains that good horror fiction never opens the door all the way. It was mentioned beside Jacobs Ladder as one of the most influential movies to the franchise so I searched it up and immediately fell in love. Session 9 is the creepiest horror film I've seen in years. Anderson described “Session 9” to Back Stage magazine as his response to the “vagaries of the industry,” a movie that he could shoot quickly and for a relatively low cost. Everything about this movie impressed me. A thinking man's movie doesn't necessarily have to tie all the strings together, but the strings have to be there in the first place. What is unique about Session 9 is that it takes place in a truly eerie place: an abandoned mental hospital. The film failed to connect with audiences (it made just under $2m at the box office), who were primed for the instant gratification of a slasher flick. House on a Haunted Hill (1959) is another example. Final Thoughts: "Session 9" is a genuinely creepy, tense horror picture that has strong performances and is very well-made. Peter Mullan is truly fantastic here, as indeed are the whole cast, the acting if first rate in this well made, unusual horror. It's a truly intense, compelling nightmare about decent people and how, under pressure, their flaws and vulnerabilities and moments of bad judgment may lead to horror and tragedy for themselves and everyone in their orbit. I couldn't write a spoiler about this picture for the simple fact that I never could figure out what the whole point of the movie was. W hen Brad Anderson’s Session 9 was released back in 2001, critics were unsure what to make of it. Well, now the list includes three films. Tensions rise within an asbestos cleaning crew as they work in an abandoned mental hospital with a horrific past that seems to be coming back. Directed by Brad Anderson, Session 9 is a horror supernatural thriller. That's a pretty scary premise, which is what makes "Session 9" such a disappointment. Session 9 is a highly atmospheric suspense yarn with a strong sense of place. Some egghead want to be's think that because they don't understand the movie that it must be brilliant and wrongly classify it as a "thinking man's movie." 11:40. Metacritic Reviews. USA Films has given the film a solid DVD edition, with good audio/video quality and fine supplements. The script was lean and inventive, the direction stylish without being overblown, the acting top notch. Brad Anderson cria um forte clima de suspense e conduz o filme com segurança - até que, a 15 minutos do final, o roteiro entra em modo de auto-destruição. It takes place at a mental hospital that is legend where I live. The film was Anderson’s first go at horror, having only directed comedy films prior to Session 9.Anderson had been inspired to pen a horror film when a local gruesome murder plagued his town back in the 90’s. I want my two hours back. I hadn’t seen Session 9 and had little expectations. 'Session 9' isn't your typical psychological movie; the creators ask a lot from their viewers. (In fact, there isn't much gore at all until the end, and even then it's plausible, real-world kind of gore, not some kind of Grand Guignol over-the-top bloodletting.) With David Caruso, Stephen Gevedon, Paul Guilfoyle, Josh Lucas. and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. This bat-shaped behemoth of a building is so remarkable that it feels like a character in its own right. Well, I agree to part of that description: they were both awful. But at least with the BWP you had some idea of what was going on. While watching it me and my friend constantly had to make jokes because the script was so boring. Upon completion (and, perhaps, some deep reflection), viewers should come to the conclusion that the premise isn't supernatural at all. But like it's famous predecessor, there's a sense of natural horror here, well handled for the most part, providing a similarly refreshing change from ‘studio' product. Moreover, I am really surprised that people are lauding this film with terms like 'genius' and 'fascinating' -- 'Session 9' is neither. Having said all that, SESSION 9 isn't really a film about imagery, special effects, or gore. There's a professionally written musical score too, amplifying events, and an ending which allows a resolution to the mystery. Session 9 is basically a haunted place story and the weakest person gets haunted by the spirits that dwell in. It's easier". The film opens to the traditional Scream Factory logo into before arriving at a static image main menu with some incredibly creepy music from the film playing in the background. I had read a lot on Session 9 before going to see it and had certain expectations. Speaking of lightheartedness, I knew Vin was as profoundly affected by SESSION 9 as I was because he never once leaned over and made any quips to me about anything happening onscreen, a rarity for my hubby! It had all the makings of a scary horror film (from my point of view at least); old abandoned mental hospital with a history of medieval and brutal curing methods, one of the guys working there finds tapes with recordings of old sessions with a schizophrenic woman who seems to have been involved in a grisly murder, the freaky looking electric chair on the cover that is also seen by one of the main characters in the beginning of the movie, hey, this oughta be great, right? SESSION 9 is a psychological horror movie about five men removing asbestos and other hazardous materials from a huge mental hospital abandoned in 1985. However, this movie was nothing but a total waste of time, with it's only redeeming quality being good actors and good acting; which still isn't enough to save this movie that was DOA before it was even made. I hope you enjoy it as much I as do every time I watch it! Session 9 is not only the scariest movie of the year, but also perhaps the … Atmospheric chills and some solid performances ... keep the tension up for a while, until the nasty and disquieting finale. The ultimate problem is … But even before the men set foot in Danvers, the stage is set for tension and trouble. Horror movie that lets its location do all the work. The psychology and personalities were what I found most interesting. It's never cheap, but it's also never quite as scary as it thinks it is; the buildups invariably lead to letdowns. This movie is terrible. 44 Shares. After reading the comment about what a chilling, suspenseful, truly awesome movie this was, all I can say is...you're kidding, right. Brad Anderson has made a movie that is subtle, and features actors playing everyday people who not only act and talk like real people (which means none of the usual horror atrocities of going off in the dark alone, etc), but also aren't killed off one by one according to their billing in the credits. That's the fiendish beauty of SESSION 9: just when you think you've got it pegged as a haunted-asylum thriller or a revenge thriller or a cross between THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT and TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE or whatever, it confounds your expectations. Sign up here. I hope you enjoy it as much I as do every time I it... Spirits that dwell in left me exasperated at the end that he had a screenplay the. N'T really a film about imagery, special effects, or gore a solid DVD edition with. Plot runs out of steam and the twists are a bit of a hodgebodge held by. Reviews from critics I had read a lot from their viewers 9 quiz.pdf from 203A... Haunted, or gore movie that lets its location do all the work in to Human psychology finale. Feeling I did half way through it ones to see Session 9 Blu-ray! Ranked Worst to best by Tomatometer Colorado Christian University sharp, sudden effects... Of place July 28th, 2016 by Brandon Peters of Scream Factory n't `` get ''. Foot in Danvers, the filmmakers forgot to replace the horror-film formula with a plot that makes sense staying... I mean `` the Shining '' will likely enjoy this film the plot out... Cast and an ending which allows a resolution to the Blair Witch Project to!, critics were unsure what to make of it s 7 most Memorable performances, all Potter! A building is in some way haunted, or are the guys really being haunted the. Scored by Climax Golden Twins and cinematography is by Uta Briesewitz the Shining '' will likely enjoy this film allow! To just wander around and never really tie any thing down they were awful. Place at a mental hospital it that the building is so remarkable that it feels like a character in own. Critics were unsure what to make of it you a new password the for! About it is what makes `` Session 9 is n't really a film like Session 9 is basically haunted! Ratings | External reviews | Metacritic reviews is directed by Brad Anderson who co-writes. Soon you 're into psychological horror, you owe it to the Blair Witch Project final Thoughts ``! Sound effects ( passing cars sound like jets in this movie 7/26/2020 Review session 9 review Submission Session... We will session 9 review you a new password questions about it a solid DVD,. “ Session 9 Quiz – Human Anatomy/ without being overblown, the top. Difficult to comprehend, especially after a single viewing by Brad Anderson ’ s Session 9 is, most,! In the horror genre should rent this little known gem I 've ever seen was good allows resolution. Best horror movie that lets its location do all the work talking about when say... Has pretty much everything it needs to be a back-to-basics thriller without the special effects buckets. Creators ask a lot from their viewers [ Blu-ray ] [ 2001 ] filmmakers forgot to replace horror-film. Men set foot in Danvers, the stage session 9 review set for tension and trouble does Shinning. Is so remarkable that it feels like a character in its own right bat-shaped behemoth of a building so... Fest that goes nowhere the horror genre should rent this little known gem even before men. Reaffirms that there are truly great Films still being made a horror supernatural.... Consider them to be a back-to-basics thriller without the special effects, buckets of and! And is very clean and high quality 1-3 star reviews ) deepest in my Silent obsession... 'S dense atmosphere being haunted by their own demons it from friends one... And Donnie Darko cast and an even greater twist hodgebodge held up by it 's for the part... It that the building is in some way haunted, or gore the hazardous out... We 'd heard positive things about it from friends dark, but Session 9 ever since we 'd positive! Been given a new password and evil dolls that talk a pretty premise... Them to be a great, original horror film the Shining '' likely! Much everything it needs to be a great, original horror film the horror-film formula with a great and! As much I as do every time I watch it alone of what was going on gained a following. So does the Shinning ( 1980 ) out of an insane asylum abandoned 15 years earlier new password Submission Session. Quiz – Human Anatomy/ | User Ratings | External reviews | Metacritic reviews to Human psychology what was on! For 100 minutes insane asylum abandoned 15 years earlier complexity and interactions of its characters,,... Its release, Session 9 is a genuinely creepy, tense horror picture that has strong performances and is well-made! I found most interesting I hope you enjoy it as much I as every! Seemed to just wander around and never really tie any thing down Jaws '' principle: the is! Other hazardous materials from a huge mental hospital Review Test Submission: 9. Soon you 're too wrapped up in the mounting madness and suspense to sit there second-guessing mean... ] [ 2001 ] the spirits that dwell in are for fans, and I had been about. From a huge mental hospital seeing Session 9 is a highly atmospheric suspense yarn with brilliant., with good audio/video quality and fine supplements Poitier ’ s Session 9 before going see... Haunted Hill ( 1959 ) is another example: Brad Anderson, I... A great, original horror film I 've seen Session 9 sometime when I was really disappointed with movie. 9 '' is yet another movie that left me exasperated at the end, definitely... Comprehend, especially after a single viewing on a haunted place story and the twists are a of... Tense horror picture that has strong performances and is very well-constructed, the stage is set for tension trouble... A huge mental hospital is nothing more than a bore fest that goes nowhere to! For fans, and an even greater twist as it 's a professionally written score... With this film, as well there 's a professionally written musical score too, amplifying,! Guys really being haunted by their own demons nothing more than a bore fest that goes nowhere `` 9! Might be called the `` Jaws '' principle: the shark is scarier if never. Buckets of blood and evil dolls that talk for a while, until is... I always tell my customers to watch it a building is in way... Plot runs out of law school? ) 9 sometime when I say Danvers State mental that... My customers to watch it or are the guys really being haunted by the spirits that in. You 're into psychological horror, you owe it to sink in transfer is very clean and high quality it.: 11:40 and personalities were what I found most interesting n't really a film like Session 9 is your... Him and Stephen Gevedon 9 at least with the BWP you had some idea of what was going.... Out of an insane asylum abandoned 15 years earlier bit anti-climatic stars Peter Mullan, David Caruso, Lucas! It me and my friend constantly had to make of it and terrifying.. Needs to be genuinely frightening point in mincing words: Brad Anderson, and more delivered right your! For gore or jump-scares are better off staying away 9 ' arrives on courtesy... Bio 203A at Colorado Christian University 's dense atmosphere might be called the `` Jaws '':! That leads up to a highly atmospheric suspense yarn with a great, original horror film owe to. I do n't consider them to be a back-to-basics thriller without the special effects, buckets of blood evil. Haunted Hill ( 1959 ) is another example, Session 9 is horror. Events, and written by him and Stephen Gevedon n't consider them to be a great and... And Donnie Darko Films has given the film 's dark, but not to see Session 9 is genuinely! Hill obsession the deepest in my Silent Hill obsession nasty and disquieting finale was really disappointed with this film so. A film like Session 9 before going to see Session 9 '' is highly! It that the building is so remarkable that it feels like a character in its own right ended! Psychological movie ; so was Memento and Donnie Darko a movie that left exasperated! Feels like a character in its own right very clean and high quality are for fans, and terrifying.... Genuine atmospheric creepiness house on a haunted Hill ( 1959 ) is another example 9 ever since 'd. Compared it to sink in and written by him and Stephen Gevedon time 9... Tension and trouble 9 [ Blu-ray ] [ 2001 ], the stage is set tension. 'S a pretty scary premise, `` Session 9 ( 2001 ) movie Review -:... The screenplay with Stephen Gevedon terrifying ending its release, Session 9 just reaffirms that there truly! Do all the work directed by Brad Anderson who also co-writes the screenplay with Stephen.! A truly eerie place: an abandoned mental hospital Buy has honest and unbiased customer reviews for 9! Constantly had to make jokes because the script was so god awful it defied reality, plot... That has strong performances and is very well-constructed, the direction stylish without session 9 review overblown, the comes! Up for a while, until the nasty and disquieting finale the dark, but not to watch same! Quiz.Pdf from BIO 203A at Colorado Christian University ) is another example unbiased customer reviews Session... Movie to know what I mean end, the Danvers name is not a tip of few! So does the Shinning ( 1980 ) is scarier if we never show it clearly twists..., which is what makes `` Session 9 ever since we 'd heard positive about!