Review of Session 9 (2001) by J L — 24 May 2011

Session 9 proves there are still directors who care more about chills then blood and guts and cheap shocks.

The film follows a group of asbestos removers, who has gotten the job to clean up the Danvers State Hospital a institute for the mentally insane. The crew consist of Gordon "Gordy" Fleming (Peter Mullan), Phil (David Caruso), Mike (Stephen Gavedon), Hank (Josh Lucas), Jeff (Brendan Sexton III). These men have the most different personalities ever. They sometimes even clash with each other but they are there for the money. Every member has a distinct way of treating each other in the group. As they enter the hospital every thing seems to be normal but strange things starts happening around the hospital. Like something watching, hearing them especially the troubled Gordon. They come to a point of pointing fingers and tension between them. As they go deeper into the hospital we start realizing that there something's there and we don't know if its supernatural or in the mind of the crew.

The best part of the film is the atmosphere that director Brad Anderson manages to make and the set direction. It's a creepy hospital and when you see it, it chills you to the bone. Dark corridors, creepy aerial shots and best of all the rooms that was used by the mentally insane. It's one great looking movie, the film as well does an awesome job relying on chills and psychological horror then blood and guts. It's more scarier what you don't see then what you actually see. The acting in the film is great and all the supporting actors slip into madness pretty good.

The movie does follow familiar origins of another horror films but its appreciation of lack of gore and more chills is a big plus for me.

MP 4/5.