Review of Stir of Echoes (1999) by Nickolaus P — 16 Nov 2008

Based on Richard Matheson's novel of the same name -- slight last name change on the characters, and the setting change from the West Coast in the novel to the Midwest in the film. It is now part of Chicago Culture here and a lot of dark imagery here.

The theatre sequence is done in Joliet, illinois. The story itself predates the Sixth Sense. The novel was written in 1958, and it is one of the writers who inspired both myself and Stephen King. So it is highly recommended -- scared the hell out of me.

Kevin Bacon's best film is this one. It is filmed entirely in Joliet, Illinois, because they want the full south side feel of the movie. Richard Matheson being now Illinois based. David Koepp did something very cool here -- giving a solid nod to Richard Matheson's films too. You might notice on the TV in some scenes -- his other movies are on the screen. Notably LAST MAN ON EARTH.

I read the book and they are both scary. The hell with the Sixth Sense. They need to watch Stir of Echoes, you need to read the book it's based on. The book equally frightening but a lot more more aspects to this theme.

I am surprised no heavy metal band did lyrics based on A STIR OF ECHOES. Similar movies being The Shining but when you read the book it predates both its film peers. The book's tension is just as sinister as the film. The movie does a lot for Joliet, Illinois' tourism.

I live in the area and trying to find out where the house of this film was done at. I am thinking it was done in Joliet's west side because they wanted a true South Side feel. It's a must see and don't watch The Sixth Sense back to back to this one, it has to be watched by itself. I recommend watching it in a hotel room if you want the shit scared out of you.