22 Comments
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Horror Literati (Jen Smith)'s avatar

Session 9 is an underrated gem. I could talk about it for days! Great post.

George R. Galuschak's avatar

Thanks! I saw this film when it came out, 20+ years ago, and didn’t realize just how good it was. For some reason, it seems to fly under people’s radar.

Incompatible Component's avatar

I think I first learned about it on r/horror, or one of the other subs, maybe 15 years ago. So people there were talking about it, but you know that doesn't mean it was popular.

Bygone & Buzz's avatar

Nice pick! I love this movie and sometimes felt like I was the only one that remembered it existed. So you’re not alone in feeling like it flies under the radar.

George R. Galuschak's avatar

Nope, I remember it too! It is strange, because the movie has a great cast and the writing is top-notch. Some of the scenes are really unsettling, too.

Jason O'Toole's avatar

The Danvers State Hospital from Session 9 is a couple towns over. It's high priced condos now.

George R. Galuschak's avatar

Damn. Well, I guess that took care of the asbestos problem.

Incompatible Component's avatar

What a magnificent location though!

Bill E. Miller's avatar

Great piece! I love this movie. Yeah, he is possessed by Simon IMO.

George R. Galuschak's avatar

Thanks! I thought the film built a great case for spiritual possession. It does it very quietly, without visually showing us any ghosts. Something like Simon exists in the margins.

Matt Cyr's avatar

Great write up. Big fan of this movie. I watched this one years ago, double feature of this and Jacob’s Ladder one hungover Sunday. Not sure who picked that pairing but I think I slept with the lights on that night.

George R. Galuschak's avatar

Thanks! I liked Session 9 the first time I saw it, but I didn’t appreciate how good it was.

For whatever reason, Jacob’s Ladder is a movie that really freaks me out. The flashbacks are really disorientating. I’d have trouble sleeping, too!

Matt Cyr's avatar

JL is no joke. That effect with the faces shaking… nope. Esp for it being 35 years ago.

PancakeSushi's avatar

One of my absolute favorite movies. Atmospheric, tense, and well-acted.

George R. Galuschak's avatar

It’s a great movie. The scene with Hank in the asylum at night scared the crap out of me the first time I saw it.

B-Movie Tea's avatar

Awesome review 👏. I love Session 9, it was so tragically ahead of its time. If it came out 10 years later it would've been a Blumhouse film and grossed at least 100 million.

George R. Galuschak's avatar

You’re right! The timing was awful. The horror field was in the midst of found footage fever at that point, I think.

Incompatible Component's avatar

Yeah, asbestos removal really must be risky. I've done harder and more disgusting work though.

Misty Layne's avatar

I remember watching this one, but can't remember if I liked it. Maybe I should revisit it.

George R. Galuschak's avatar

It’s a slow burn movie. The ghost is there, but not in-your-face. Parts of it are really creepy.

atencio's avatar

Great read

George R. Galuschak's avatar

Thanks, I appreciate it.