Session 9 (2001)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Greg S

  
  A hazmat crew removing asbestos from an abandoned asylum uncover secrets about the long-dead but deeply disturbed residents in this slow-burn psychological horror. What's creepier than a crumbling building full of ghosts? A crumbling building full of schizophrenic ghosts.

• Emily A

  
  This movie gets inside your head and rattles you from the inside out. It moves a little slowly, but it's so insidiously creepy that it's easily worth it. One of the best horror movies out there. It's about an asbestos removal team that goes into an abandoned, condemned… More
  This movie gets inside your head and rattles you from the inside out. It moves a little slowly, but it's so insidiously creepy that it's easily worth it. One of the best horror movies out there. It's about an asbestos removal team that goes into an abandoned, condemned insane aslyum to clean it out, and one of the guys finds a set of reel-to-reel audio tapes in the basement of memory retrieval therapy sessions Mary Hobbes had with her psychologist decades before. What's even creepier though, is that one of the guys on the team has the same sort of memory repression problems. Pair that with each guy's past and the haunting, oppressive presence of the hospital itself and you have a recipe for some bad, tragic and scary stuff. I care about every single character in this film: Phil, the crabby guy who has to work with the assclown that stole his girlfriend, Mike, the overqualified almost-lawyer who jumps at any opportunity to stimulate his mind, Hank, the irresponsible jackass that Phil's itching to fire, Jeff, the nyctophobic kid hired by his uncle that's just trying to not screw up and Gordo, the mentally fragile boss whose wife won't talk to him for reasons he can't understand. I love all five guys; you get to see the best and worst of them, thier pettiness, thier senses of humour, the group's cohesion, how long they've worked together and you become really invested in the crew so much so that it's harrowing if they even fight. The looming mental hospital adds another dimension of suffering and madness that brings out the worst in everyone: tempers, paranoia, fears, worries. There are a number of ways to interpret what ends up happening to the men in this film. At the end of it all though, each viewer needs to decide for themself who Simon is. Simply put, this is my absolute favorite horror film, and I've seen a hell of a lot. If you missed this one, seek it out, see it, and tell me about it. You won't be sorry at all. Session 9 is utterly sublime.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"Fear Is A Place."</i> 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. <center><font size=+2 face="Century… More
  <i>"Fear Is A Place."</i> 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. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> A surprisingly very good and very well made atmospheric mystery, the story starts when five contractors are given the task to clean up an old building which happens to be a former insane asylum. Right then and there you can tell that something terrible is bound to happen. It only gets worse when the head contractor hears a mysterious voice welcoming him back to the asylum and one of the workers becomes obsessed with a series of taped sessions that were recorded sometime ago by a doctor with patient. These two tales run parallel throughout the movie, along with conflicts and tensions that the men have amongst themselves, and eventually collide in a kicker of an ending worthy of writers like Poe and King. The focus here is on a spooky atmosphere, rather than gore, and it is pulled of very well. The feeling conjured up almost echoes 'The Shining' in creating unease and terror in a seemingly harmless and empty place. Obviously made on a low-budget and limitations, though one relatively well known actor, David Caruso, plays one of the contractors, the film moves right along and doesn't seem to have been made less than it could have been due to production constraints. In the end, it is definitely a recommended viewing.

• Lady D

  
  Session 9 has a good story in theory, in parts it's quite gritty and in others it comes across very amateur. I was hoping for a big shock ending, but found it a little too anti-climatic. When it came to the tapes, I wasn't sure if the voices were slightly disturbing or… More
  Session 9 has a good story in theory, in parts it's quite gritty and in others it comes across very amateur. I was hoping for a big shock ending, but found it a little too anti-climatic. When it came to the tapes, I wasn't sure if the voices were slightly disturbing or a little too over the top. All in all the film is a bit messy and not one I would recommend.

• Jani H

  
  "I need you to wake up, and take a really, "really" good look at him." Brad Anderson's 'The Machinist' is one of my favourite movies but I guess you kinda figured that out by my "name". A Flixfriend asked me about my opinion about… More
  "I need you to wake up, and take a really, "really" good look at him." Brad Anderson's 'The Machinist' is one of my favourite movies but I guess you kinda figured that out by my "name". A Flixfriend asked me about my opinion about 'Session 9', which is Anderson's second feature. I've seen it a few years ago and to give an honest opinion, I had to check it out again. Stephen Gevedon, who also stars in the movie, wrote the script about a group of subtle asbestos removal workers. The leader of the company, Gordon, is in great need of money and wins the tender by promising to get a three week job done in a week. The Danvers State Hospital, which has been abandoned for years is in need of some work. The place has been a mental asylum but because of government cutbacks, the doors were closed. One day, a crew member called Mike, finds a box marked as evidence. Inside the box is nine taped sessions with a former patient, Mary Hobbes. Between working, he listens to all the tapes. Mary Hobbes has had a multiple personality disorder. She has four personalities, Mary, Princess, Billy and Simon, or so we are told. Throughout the sessions, it is revealed that something terrible has happened with Simon but the other personalities don't wanna talk about it. But it's not just about the tapes. Gordon has troubles at home, Phil and Hank aren't getting along. Jeff suffers from fear of the dark. One day Hank disappears after he is confronted by a dark figure in the shadows. Later on, Jeff sees Hank but then he disappears again. What is going on here? Just like 'The Machinist', 'Session 9' was also kinda hard to figure out at first. There are plenty of good things in the movie, especially the way how Anderson increases the tension of the movie. I wouldn't categorize 'Session 9' as a horror movie, it's more of a psychological thriller about the human mind. The story builds up nicely but it doesn't completely pay off. The ending doesn't feel that convincing, it feels more as something significant to the story was left out and the ending was just made-up. In the next segment of the movie I'll give you my opinion of how I think things really went, so don't read it if you wanna see the movie and make your own opinion. Hence, a big SPOILER ALERT! 'Session 9' relies more on mental narration. Everything is not given out to you on a golden platter, so because the ending feels so contrived, I came up with the idea of, that the place, the asylum is in fact haunted. Simon, whose voice is heard by a key figure, is a demon that lives inside the asylum. He messes with the mind, gives false visions to the head. Simon takes over the body of the one whose life is at a fragile point. The last quote, said by Simon, proves my point. 'Session 9' is an interesting movie but the narrative is too slow for the film to completely work. Anderson has focused more on setting up the mood and the film offers more anxiety than needed. I'd like to see more well-written characters but all I get is from the start a knowledege of something bad that is about to happen. Despite these few negative opinions that bothered me a bit, 'Session 9' comes recommended to fans of psychological thrillers. Give it a shot and give it your own conclusion. "I live in the weak and the wounded."

• Randy T

  
  Eerie and effective. Director Brad Anderson uses conventional tactics in very unconventional ways.

• Anthony L

  
  If Session 9 can teach anything to up and coming horror film makers, its this; If you want to make a believable and creepy movie, use good actors! Session 9 is a great psychological horror!

• Nani V

  
  This was soooooooooo slow...it didn't really go anywhere.

• Aaron N

  
  Phil: We'll take the tunnels. They're safer. Jeff: "Safer"? A simply plotted psychological thriller that makes good use of its setting, focuses on subtle scares, and succeeds as a well shot film. The plot involves an asbestos cleaning crew hired to work in an… More
  Phil: We'll take the tunnels. They're safer. Jeff: "Safer"? A simply plotted psychological thriller that makes good use of its setting, focuses on subtle scares, and succeeds as a well shot film. The plot involves an asbestos cleaning crew hired to work in an abandoned mental hospital. The crew consists of five men, all with their own ticks. The leader is Gordon, played by Peter Mullan, who is having issues with his wife and newborn. Second in command is Phil, played by David Caruso who has issues with Hank, played by Josh Lucas, because he stole his girlfriend. You then have Mike, played by Stephen Gevedon (who co-wrote the film), who develops an obsession with some recordings of patients he finds in the hospital. Lastly is rookie Jeff. Mike: I need you to go downstairs and check the breaker box. Jeff: ...I can't do that. Mike: Why? Jeff: I got nyctophobia. Mike: What? Jeff: Fear of the dark. Mike: [incredulous] Okay... The things that occur in this story involve tensions rising between the crew and mysterious going-ons that seem to be affecting their performance. Part of what makes this movie work so well is how it slowly develops itself. We know something is building, but we're not sure what and the movie toys with these aspects, while providing an intriguing watch. This isn't a good horror flick for a party setting, its much more intimate and works better on a thinkers level. The ending goes off a bit and there are some questionable audio and dialog choices, but the film works very well. Director Brad Anderson has made use of a special digital camera that gives the film a wonderfully real look and also manages to subtly inject a visual style into this film that pulls you in without seeming to imply what will occur. This is also met with a few standout camera moments in terms of how certain highlight scenes are handled. Its creepy without being overdone and I really enjoyed it. Doctor: And where do you live, Simon? Mary Hobbes: I live in the weak and the wounded... Doc.

• Derek D

  
  Pretty freaky and chilling, and even moreso if you know the full details of the hospital in Danvers. Great performances all around and the music is almost nightmarish.

• Creep F

  
  This movie is a creepfest. Scary as hell. A lot of people have found this movie boring because it relies mostly on mood and atmosphere alone to scare you. I for one was not bored by this. It sent chills down my spine. Watch this movie alone at night and judge for yourself. The… More
  This movie is a creepfest. Scary as hell. A lot of people have found this movie boring because it relies mostly on mood and atmosphere alone to scare you. I for one was not bored by this. It sent chills down my spine. Watch this movie alone at night and judge for yourself. The score in this movie is truly haunting, and the audio sessions were ultimately frightening. There is no gore in this movie and hardly a drop of blood but it didd't need any. This movie worked even better without all of that stuff. You don't even see much in this movie. It suggests mostly everything and leaves it up to your mind to create your own fears. Everything in here worked perfectly. Great acting making it even more believable. Spooky ass cinematography with the darkest of shadows in every corner, and a chilling story carried along well by some truly creepy moments of eerie dialogue. This movie does something most horror movies don't do nowadays. It let's you put your mind to work and makes you create your own darkest illusions. Again, watch this movie alone at night...with the lights off! Plot: "An asbestos abatement crew wins the bid for an abandoned insane asylum. What should be a straightforward, if rather rushed, job, is complicated by the personal histories of the crew. In particular, Hank is dating Phil's old girlfriend, and Gordon's new baby seems to be unnerving him more than should be expected. Things get more complicated as would-be lawyer Mike plays the tapes from a former patient with multiple personalities, including the mysterious Simon who does not appear until Session 9, and as Hank disappears after finding some old coins." I highly recommend this movie. Other Reviews - "When you do watch this film, turn off all the lights and have no distractions. Watching it in any other way will definitely hinder the experience." - KillerReviews "A spine-tingler directed with fierce finesse." - Rolling Stone "So many people bitch and moan because they're sick of the same old same old, but when someone finally makes a new and unexpected picture, people complain. We've been given a new and very scary movie and it should be appreciated accordingly." - Dread Central "Session 9 is not only the scariest movie of the year, but also perhaps the most easy to believe since the first Blair Witch." - New Times (L.A.) "If you're looking for a creepy mood piece, you've come to the right place." - The Cavalcade Of Schlock "Pulls you in with smooth assurance, then holds you hostage to extremely creepy developments in the most awesome haunted house since The Shining." - Wall Street Journal "It is scary, doesn't use cheap tricks and raises goose bumps with its intelligently rendered, subtle horror." - Reel Reviews "It has the eeriness of The Shining and the intimate terror of The Blair Witch Project." - Movie Vault "Session 9 is a creepy session. Make sure you don't watch it alone or with the lights off. At the very least, keep a curtain opened or within easy reach. This film is guaranteed to creep you out, and you will never look at a lone chair sitting at the end of a hallway the same way again." - Beyond Hollywood <a href="http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/JDHallowEEn/?action=view¤t=Session-9-Nine_196.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/JDHallowEEn/Session-9-Nine_196.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

• El Hombre I

  
  A suspenseful and sometimes frightening film that is purely psychological and full of atmosphere. When five men from the Hazmat Elimination Co. try to clean an abandoned mental hospital of asbestos they slowly find themselves drawn into the building's mysterious past. Much of… More
  A suspenseful and sometimes frightening film that is purely psychological and full of atmosphere. When five men from the Hazmat Elimination Co. try to clean an abandoned mental hospital of asbestos they slowly find themselves drawn into the building's mysterious past. Much of the film's success rests on the unknown and that which is soon to be revealed. Although you don't see much in this film, that is what sucks you in and makes it fun. Don't let David Caruso make you shun this, he's actually pretty good in it. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view&current=2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

• Drew S

  
  Session 9 was done a total disservice by its cheap look and what I'm assuming was a low budget. It is the skeleton of an effective horror, with decently rounded characters, a great setting and a plot that at least isn't boring. More later.

• Kylie B

  
  Atmospherically creepy, this film will keep you guessing. Those of you with a short attention span may want to avoid it though. Whichever of the two main interpretations you take at the end, it still works.

• Lafe F

  
  Men cleaning out asbestos from an old mental hospital run into some nasty past history. There is something at the hospital with them. Great spooky location - they used a real abandoned hospital. Some of the rooms and stories really get into the characters' heads, creating some… More
  Men cleaning out asbestos from an old mental hospital run into some nasty past history. There is something at the hospital with them. Great spooky location - they used a real abandoned hospital. Some of the rooms and stories really get into the characters' heads, creating some spookiness. Not until the final scene do we understand what all this is about. Great movie rich in atmosphere!

• Ken S

  
  Like an HD version of the Shining

• Lee ?

  
  You'll either be yawning your way through this movie or you'll be chilled to the bone by it's creepiness. It all depends on how you like your horror movies - if you like them lively with a high body count and high levels of gore then look elsewhere, because SESSION 9 is… More
  You'll either be yawning your way through this movie or you'll be chilled to the bone by it's creepiness. It all depends on how you like your horror movies - if you like them lively with a high body count and high levels of gore then look elsewhere, because SESSION 9 is far from that type of film. It's a slow building atmospheric and eerie film with a couple of really spine tingling moments and an unsettling musical score to add to it's constant creepiness. And the setting of the film in an actual closed down Mental Hospital gives an authentic feel to the film overall. The story unfolds slowly but is intriguing and keeps you guessing through to it's twist ending. The acting is solid, especially from Peter Mullan and David Caruso. The problem I had was that it was too drenched in atmosphere and not enough scares or jumps were thrown in to break it up, because at times it did drag on and became a tad bit boring. Other than that I quite enjoyed it.

• vieras e

  
  The film starts off a bit boring but gets better towards the end. Had some creepy moments, but it could've been slightly more coherent.

• Luke B

  
  Average psychological horror. Seen it a thousand times before, but this is lifted from the ranks due to a superb cast. Peter Mullan especially earns his pay. Some creepy moments, but mainly too obvious. The film also builds up way to slow, a build up which the pay-off can't quite… More
  Average psychological horror. Seen it a thousand times before, but this is lifted from the ranks due to a superb cast. Peter Mullan especially earns his pay. Some creepy moments, but mainly too obvious. The film also builds up way to slow, a build up which the pay-off can't quite match.

• Jason S

  
  Stupid movie that really doesn't know what it's doing.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings