Watch Session 9
- R
- 2001
- 1 hr 37 min
-
6.4 (63,624)
Session 9 is a psychological horror film from 2001 that takes place in a decommissioned mental institution called the Danvers State Hospital. The movie follows the story of a small asbestos abatement crew hired to clean up the abandoned and creepy asylum. The team consists of five men: Gordon (played by Peter Mullan), the boss who was under a lot of pressure due to financial difficulties; Phil (played by David Caruso), the co-owner of the company who was mostly in charge of the paperwork; Mike (played by Stephen Gevedon), who was the one who discovered the tapes with recorded sessions of a patient named Mary Hobbes; Hank (played by Josh Lucas), who was younger and more reckless than the others; and Jeff (played by Brendan Sexton III), who was mentally challenged and could not be left alone.
As they start their cleaning job, strange things begin to happen, and the team starts to unravel. Gordon is haunted by his past and the fact that the hospital was the site of his father's suicide. Phil is dealing with his own personal issues, including keeping the company together and his failing marriage. Mike becomes obsessed with the tapes, listening to them one by one and becoming increasingly disturbed by their content. Hank is reckless and puts the safety of the whole team in danger.
The movie also explores the history of the mental institution and the disturbing treatments that were performed there, including lobotomies and electroshock therapy. The team starts to discover that the building has a sinister history, and strange spirits seem to be working against them.
As the days pass, the tension between the team members continues to mount, and their individual problems start to boil over. They begin to have strange and terrifying visions, and the line between reality and delusion starts to blur. They all become trapped in a nightmare that they cannot wake up from.
Session 9 is a chilling and gripping exploration of the human psyche and the dark history of mental institutions. It is a slow-burn horror that relies on atmosphere and tension rather than jump scares or gore. The movie is shot on location at the real Danvers State Hospital, adding an extra layer of creepiness to the already eerie setting. The acting is superb, with each member of the cast giving a nuanced and realistic performance.
The movie also has a unique structure, using recordings of therapy sessions with Mary Hobbes as a framing device. These sessions provide a glimpse into the mind of a disturbed patient and add an extra layer of tension to the already spooky atmosphere. The use of multiple viewpoints and unreliable narrators creates a sense of unease that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
The ending of the movie is ambiguous and thought-provoking, leaving the audience to wonder what really happened to the team members and whether the spirits of the hospital were real or just a figment of their imagination.
Overall, Session 9 is a haunting and unforgettable horror movie that explores the darkest corners of the human mind. It is a must-watch for fans of psychological horror and anyone looking for a chilling and thought-provoking experience.
Session 9 is a 2001 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 58.