This is a comment from Germany, so please excuse errors. This movie gets me because of the unusual daylight..everything is more or less happening at daytime..very unusual for a horror movie...but it still works..the tension builts up perfectly, no mega cheap splatter effects, just upbuilding, upcoming pure nature horror in peoples nature...this movie gives the actors and their problems time to develop...unforgettable..
"And where do you live, Simon?" That closing line lingers. Edited to add: I thought the warped quality they added to the session tapes added a fantastic touch to the creepiness factor.
I saw this movie 10 years ago with my mom. This movie didn’t scare me, but made my hair stand on end. It was an unnerving scary that stuck with me and I appreciated that when most movies were jump scares and torture porn.
I'm glad you highlighted one thing I really liked about this film is that it featured plausible workers in an implausible situation. They weren't writers or ghost hunters or any of the usual tropes...they were removing asbestos (a dangerous job in itself) and the characters weren't stereotyped workers (too often blue collar workers are portrayed on film as unintelligent and illiterate....my dad was a blue collar worker and he was neither of those things). Good film, good review.
I can see why this movie wasn’t very well rated, for a horror film it doesn’t go all out. But, it has a very well structured plot that grips you all the way through. It doesn’t scare me, it disturbs me. And that’s why I love it.
I was a teenager when I saw this. It scared me. This was surprising because my family had a horror movie night every Saturday. Which desensitized me to most horror.
Watched this in the early days of Netflix streaming and it stuck in my head for years. Finally figured out what it was called and was excited to watch it again. It really sticks with you
I snuck into the old insane asylum that this was filmed in before they tore it down and made it into condos. They really have hundreds of graves with numbered headstones without names there. Getting in there at night led to what was absolutely the spookiest bowl I've ever smoked.
this is a close to perfect Horror film (After you watch it you’ll be haunted by the experience for days on end) Deserves so much more mainstream attention
"Session 9"(2001) is a horror movie masterpiece, and one of the 50 best horror movies of all time for sure! This is an atmospheric and some moments very scary movie!
Danvers Asylum may be the single creepiest filming location I've ever seen, and I actually saw the place first-hand (from the outside) before it got torn down a few years ago. Legit bad vibes, man!
A movie not being talked about enough in my opinion. Just like Jacobs Ladder it came to my attention through Silent Hill, when it was mentioned that it had SOME kind of impact during the production of Silent Hill 3. One of my favorite psychological Horror-movies.
This film is so good!!! I recommend this film a lot. Love that nice twist in the end with that creepy line, “I live in the weak and the wounded.” Certainly good stuff.
The main building still stands, they converted it and built all brand new apartment buildings around it. I do not think I would want to live in a former asylum or even on the grounds.
Fun fact this movie was a big inspiration a long with jacobs ladder and others for silent hill 3 where they even replicated the famous session 9 scene of the wheel chair outside of the room.
Finally some recognition. I bought this on DVD in 2002 not knowing what I was in for. I loved it. I think of the scene in the stairwell sometimes... "What are you doing here?"
Thanks for highlighting this movie, definitely underrated and worth the watch. Not the usual mind numbing "horror" movie hollywood cranks out these days.
Modern horror is predictable, and true horror is full of shocks and surprises. But not the stupid fake jump scares. Those are so overdone they're like the blandest food. Inoffensive. Boring.
I'm liking this channel. Just finished the Mute Witness installment, which I saw in theaters, and now Session 9, which I also saw in theaters. Session 9 was one of the first major motion pics to be shot digitally. This movie is definitely unnerving. It sneaks up on you, but it's pretty dire from the start. Sometimes big name actors can dissipate the fear factor in a movie because you *know* nothing bad can happen as long as that actor is on screen, but that's not the case here with David Caruso. Even though he is the most known of the bunch, this movie is still every bit as scary.
The only reason I know about this movie is that Silent Hill 3 had an homage with the wheelchair in the corridor behind a glass window. Then I looked up the movie and it was great! Unnerving, unsettling, it stuck with me for a while but later I forgot it. Today as I was listening to some creepy stories somehow the name just came to mind. I'm not in the right mood to watch movies but I think I should watch it again sometime.
ATTENTION: Hi, I worked at Danvers State Hospital in 1974 and ‘75. I had a master key to the entire Hospital and saw “everything.” If you have any questions leave a reply. I still have my ring of a dozen keys, from when I worked there. The only reason I left was to continue College.
I watched this on IFC by happenstance. It was just starting when I was searching through channels. And I’m so glad that I watched it. It kept drawing/pulling me in! “Hello….Doc.”
This is one of the most unsettling horror movies ever. Five stars! An FYI for those who might be interested: The Danvers (MA) State Hospital wasn't completely torn down. When the rest was demolished so the former asylum campus could be redeveloped, the most historic, original portion of the complex was preserved. It was converted into apartments (Avalon Danvers) so the interiors were completely gutted, leaving just the brick shell and roofs, and rebuilt for the new use. I seem to recall there was a major fire at one point, too, so some parts of the building were just the shell anyway. It's cool that the historic architecture of the landmark's exterior was preserved (and, in some instances, recreated).
I have just finished rewatching the film, and it's as chilling as the first time I watched it and I could not believe that the ending just came so suddenly. It's engrossing through and through. Now, I actually have a theory regarding the plot of the movie and if anyone reading hasn't seen it yet, do not read further. Alright, my theory is that the entire movie is a therapy session Gordon has with his psychiatrist, Phil, and it mirrors Mary Hobbes' ninth session with her own doctor. Now, because it mirrors it, I believe the entire crew is actually the split personalities of Gordon that each represent different aspects of himself, the same way Princess, Bobby and Simon represent different aspects of Mary. Mike is the inquisitive, but psychopatic aspect (the scene where Mike explained how to perform a lobotomy influenced Gordon to handicap and kill Hank). Jeff is definitely the innocent and carefree aspect while Hank is the selfish hedonistic aspect. This idea is also supported by the fact that Gordon takes a backdrop in all of the conversations with the crew, much like how Mary was always sidelined by her alter egos. Now, for Gordon to be able remember his deed, he has to give up his alter egos until Simon is the only one left, so, he starts killing them one by one, with the help of Phil. I say with the help of Phil because he either does not want Gordon to remember he killed an alter ego (when he got extremely angry on the stairwell when Gordon wanted to find out the truth about Hank leaving) or he straight up encourages his actions (when he killed Mike). This part, however, shakes up my theory as Gordon kills Phil as well, which means Phil might not have been his psychiatrist at all, but rather another aspect of Gordon, his conscience and morality. Which means, the ending of the film is about how Gordon most likely had a horrific childhood that scarred him to the point of him becoming a murdering psychopath.
I am a huge horror fan, but I never caught this. I have to admit it is totally on me the last few years, cause I have spriatically seen reviewers praise it. Maybe it is time I gave it a whirl.
I snuck into Danvers asylum as a teenager in the 90s… it was known as haunted then. The lobotomy was invented/perfected there. The main building still stands & luxury condos replaced the rest. But a major fire destroyed construction & was unexplained. FYI- Danvers used to be a part of Salem in the 1600s
Session 9 is such an underrated horror/drama movie. I´ve seen the film multiple times and this creepy atmosphere of the movie gets me every time. Brad Anderson did an awesome job with the story telling & location for the movie. I also liked The Machinist & Transsiberian alot.
Just watched this for the first time last night. How did I miss this when it came out? Never even heard of it until maybe a year ago. Definitely gonna add this to my horror collection
I saw this film in 2003 on DVD and was the first horror film to scare me since The Shining. I was so scared that afterwards I turned all the lights on to the bedroom and switched off in succession while leaving each room and hallway. I never had a reaction to a film before or since like that though 2nd night was fine
good times for thirllers/horrors. In the mouth of Madness, Summer of Sam, Identy, skelton Keyetc. This era of thrillers is something that made a generation.
While I agree with Caruso's top notch "fuck you" delivery, special mention needs to go to Mullan's response because we all had the same expression after hearing it.
Calling this the best horror movie is the biggest overstatement I ever heard. Movie is not even finished. In the end I expected to finally find out what or who is killing everybody and all of a sudden movie was over. Boring dialogues, camera was held by some kid overdosing on sugar, poor ligting, boring dialogues about nothing, characters dying and few minutes later re-appearing alive, tapes talking about nothing, invisible entity killing everybody. This movie owes me 100 minutes of life.
@@abcdaffaa I kinda like cabin in the woods (2011), but I wish something different would try to kill people in it. Cause towards the end you see all amazing posibilities and directors decided to go with classic boring zombies.
I seen this on ifc at a buddies house when i was about 13 scared the ish outta me glad that over the last year or so its finally starting to get the respect it deserves
Have to mention: there are _five_ actors in this cast, not four. In this video when the stars are mentioned, Stephen Gevedon (Mike) is not featured at 0:23 ... even though he is part of the group and his character is a catalyst in opening a Pandora's box of big trouble into the proceedings.
This is a comment from Germany, so please excuse errors. This movie gets me because of the unusual daylight..everything is more or less happening at daytime..very unusual for a horror movie...but it still works..the tension builts up perfectly, no mega cheap splatter effects, just upbuilding, upcoming pure nature horror in peoples nature...this movie gives the actors and their problems time to develop...unforgettable..
“ in the weak and the wounded doc”. This film blew me away the first time I saw it...poetic tragedy I.J.S.
I have such a hard time explaining how Simon is my favorite character in this movie when all he is, is a voice.
Only found this movie a couple years ago, but it is now by far my favorite horror movie.
My ex was so disturbed by this movie; the ending had her in tears. I recall it being so unsettling and disturbing.
Worked at Blockbuster back in the day for a couple of years, I always always recommended this one to people. 👍👍 Such a gem.
Underrated imo
Underrated and creepy. Plus it has one of the best F yous of all time.
Right 😳
"And where do you live, Simon?"
That closing line lingers.
Edited to add: I thought the warped quality they added to the session tapes added a fantastic touch to the creepiness factor.
Just thinking of that final quote sends chills down my spine in the brightest, warmest sunlight.
Watched this year's ago on hbo at 2am. Couldn't stop watching. Totally underrated. This is why I saw The Machinist in the theater.
This movie is so underrated. It's so creepy and excellent
I've seen this ONCE. I was so disturbed by the ending that I haven't been able to bring myself to giving it a rewatch.
I saw this movie 10 years ago with my mom. This movie didn’t scare me, but made my hair stand on end. It was an unnerving scary that stuck with me and I appreciated that when most movies were jump scares and torture porn.
I'm glad you highlighted one thing I really liked about this film is that it featured plausible workers in an implausible situation. They weren't writers or ghost hunters or any of the usual tropes...they were removing asbestos (a dangerous job in itself) and the characters weren't stereotyped workers (too often blue collar workers are portrayed on film as unintelligent and illiterate....my dad was a blue collar worker and he was neither of those things). Good film, good review.
I can see why this movie wasn’t very well rated, for a horror film it doesn’t go all out. But, it has a very well structured plot that grips you all the way through. It doesn’t scare me, it disturbs me. And that’s why I love it.
Absolute classic. One of the few films that I can’t watch alone.
This film is a masterpiece
"DO IT GOORRDDDOONNN"....😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 Scared the shit out of me.
I was a teenager when I saw this. It scared me. This was surprising because my family had a horror movie night every Saturday. Which desensitized me to most horror.
Watched this in the early days of Netflix streaming and it stuck in my head for years. Finally figured out what it was called and was excited to watch it again. It really sticks with you
I snuck into the old insane asylum that this was filmed in before they tore it down and made it into condos. They really have hundreds of graves with numbered headstones without names there. Getting in there at night led to what was absolutely the spookiest bowl I've ever smoked.
this is a close to perfect Horror film (After you watch it you’ll be haunted by the experience for days on end) Deserves so much more mainstream attention
"I live in the weak and the wounded"
I've watched this loads of times. Brilliant, unsettling movie, also gave us the classic David Caruso meme.
I bought the DVD when they came out, I worked at Danvers State and know all the filmed areas.
love love love Session 9
Gets better with every viewing
"Session 9"(2001) is a horror movie masterpiece, and one of the 50 best horror movies of all time for sure! This is an atmospheric and some moments very scary movie!
Definitely underrated
Not even close. 6/10 at best
Danvers Asylum may be the single creepiest filming location I've ever seen, and I actually saw the place first-hand (from the outside) before it got torn down a few years ago. Legit bad vibes, man!
Because real horror occurred there.
A movie not being talked about enough in my opinion. Just like Jacobs Ladder it came to my attention through Silent Hill, when it was mentioned that it had SOME kind of impact during the production of Silent Hill 3. One of my favorite psychological Horror-movies.
i kept thinking how similar in vibes it was to silent hill while watching it, theres why!!!
Man, this is one of those movies that i rented from Blockbuster and it hung with me all these years. It's such a worthy movie!
David Caruso's "fuck youuuuu" moment is legendary. It made its way to the Sean Clark/Christopher Nelson show, a.k.a. The Thing With Two Heads.
I remember when it came out and I would sing it's praises to anyone who would listen.
Whats even creepier is it wasnt all torn down. Most of the front portion was turned into...CONDOS! And the graves left on site!
Narrated spot on. Big fan 🖖🏻
This film is so good!!! I recommend this film a lot. Love that nice twist in the end with that creepy line, “I live in the weak and the wounded.” Certainly good stuff.
The main building still stands, they converted it and built all brand new apartment buildings around it. I do not think I would want to live in a former asylum or even on the grounds.
Session 9 gives us One of the Best Horror Lines of all Time..." I'm in the Weak, and the Wounded....Doc".
One of the most atmospheric films I've watched.
I love this movie. There are many movies staged in insane asylums, but this asylum movie is unlike any other and is probably the best of them.
The ending of this film made me so so horrified that I could not fall asleep. Sheer brilliance!!!
Fun fact this movie was a big inspiration a long with jacobs ladder and others for silent hill 3 where they even replicated the famous session 9 scene of the wheel chair outside of the room.
Well said.
I've been singing the praises of this film since 2001.
I saw this first time on HBO.. fell in love wit it then. That was 20 yrs ago.
Im a big fan of Brad Anderson films. Session 9 is definitely my favorite, but i also love The Machinist, Transsiberian, and Vanishing on 7th street.
Finally some recognition. I bought this on DVD in 2002 not knowing what I was in for. I loved it. I think of the scene in the stairwell sometimes... "What are you doing here?"
Absolutely agree with this! I’ve always thought of this movie as one of scariest I’ve seen. Freaks me out just thinking about it.
Finally. A movie not only I haven't seen, but I haven't even heard of. Sounds interesting.
Thanks for highlighting this movie, definitely underrated and worth the watch. Not the usual mind numbing "horror" movie hollywood cranks out these days.
Modern horror is predictable, and true horror is full of shocks and surprises. But not the stupid fake jump scares. Those are so overdone they're like the blandest food. Inoffensive. Boring.
Excellent acting.The feeling of isolation and despair it captures is so incredibly creepy.
I'm liking this channel. Just finished the Mute Witness installment, which I saw in theaters, and now Session 9, which I also saw in theaters. Session 9 was one of the first major motion pics to be shot digitally. This movie is definitely unnerving. It sneaks up on you, but it's pretty dire from the start. Sometimes big name actors can dissipate the fear factor in a movie because you *know* nothing bad can happen as long as that actor is on screen, but that's not the case here with David Caruso. Even though he is the most known of the bunch, this movie is still every bit as scary.
So weird, I have zero recollection of a theatrical run
That was great.
What a movie, by the time the credits rolled I knew I was in for a few days, the movie stuck with me like no other.
EraserHead did that to me.
But I can't wait to see this film; just heard if it.
The only reason I know about this movie is that Silent Hill 3 had an homage with the wheelchair in the corridor behind a glass window. Then I looked up the movie and it was great! Unnerving, unsettling, it stuck with me for a while but later I forgot it. Today as I was listening to some creepy stories somehow the name just came to mind. I'm not in the right mood to watch movies but I think I should watch it again sometime.
Loved this movie. It was pure atmosphere and finally listing to Session 9, creepy.
ATTENTION: Hi, I worked at Danvers State Hospital in 1974 and ‘75. I had a master key to the entire Hospital and saw “everything.” If you have any questions leave a reply. I still have my ring of a dozen keys, from when I worked there. The only reason I left was to continue College.
What was it like?
I am so, so obsessed with this movie. About as underrated as the 1980 Changeling.
Saying every movie is underrated
has become overrated.
I watched this on IFC by happenstance. It was just starting when I was searching through channels. And I’m so glad that I watched it. It kept drawing/pulling me in! “Hello….Doc.”
This movie creeped me out mainly because it reminds me of work
That Josh Lucas scene - y'all know the one - had me sleeping with the lights on for two months. Also, did NOT see the ending coming, and I usually do.
This is one of the most unsettling horror movies ever. Five stars! An FYI for those who might be interested: The Danvers (MA) State Hospital wasn't completely torn down. When the rest was demolished so the former asylum campus could be redeveloped, the most historic, original portion of the complex was preserved. It was converted into apartments (Avalon Danvers) so the interiors were completely gutted, leaving just the brick shell and roofs, and rebuilt for the new use. I seem to recall there was a major fire at one point, too, so some parts of the building were just the shell anyway. It's cool that the historic architecture of the landmark's exterior was preserved (and, in some instances, recreated).
Great movie! Scary and well done- it’s one of my top 20!
Haven't seen a movie that creeped me out like this one. It's an elite horror film
I have just finished rewatching the film, and it's as chilling as the first time I watched it and I could not believe that the ending just came so suddenly. It's engrossing through and through. Now, I actually have a theory regarding the plot of the movie and if anyone reading hasn't seen it yet, do not read further.
Alright, my theory is that the entire movie is a therapy session Gordon has with his psychiatrist, Phil, and it mirrors Mary Hobbes' ninth session with her own doctor. Now, because it mirrors it, I believe the entire crew is actually the split personalities of Gordon that each represent different aspects of himself, the same way Princess, Bobby and Simon represent different aspects of Mary. Mike is the inquisitive, but psychopatic aspect (the scene where Mike explained how to perform a lobotomy influenced Gordon to handicap and kill Hank). Jeff is definitely the innocent and carefree aspect while Hank is the selfish hedonistic aspect. This idea is also supported by the fact that Gordon takes a backdrop in all of the conversations with the crew, much like how Mary was always sidelined by her alter egos. Now, for Gordon to be able remember his deed, he has to give up his alter egos until Simon is the only one left, so, he starts killing them one by one, with the help of Phil. I say with the help of Phil because he either does not want Gordon to remember he killed an alter ego (when he got extremely angry on the stairwell when Gordon wanted to find out the truth about Hank leaving) or he straight up encourages his actions (when he killed Mike). This part, however, shakes up my theory as Gordon kills Phil as well, which means Phil might not have been his psychiatrist at all, but rather another aspect of Gordon, his conscience and morality. Which means, the ending of the film is about how Gordon most likely had a horrific childhood that scarred him to the point of him becoming a murdering psychopath.
I am a huge horror fan, but I never caught this. I have to admit it is totally on me the last few years, cause I have spriatically seen reviewers praise it. Maybe it is time I gave it a whirl.
Plus danvers was a real place I snuck in there a long time ago when it was still around
Have long thought this was one of the creepiest films I've ever seen. Solid
This movie is a master piece. It is one of my favourites. But it is extremely underrated
As Peter says in the behind the scenes footage it looms large in everybodies psyche. And he's 💯 right - that place still gives me nightmares
Excellent movie.
I snuck into Danvers asylum as a teenager in the 90s… it was known as haunted then. The lobotomy was invented/perfected there.
The main building still stands & luxury condos replaced the rest. But a major fire destroyed construction & was unexplained.
FYI- Danvers used to be a part of Salem in the 1600s
I saw this in a completely empty theater. Just me and my brother.
Interesting trivia, the Danvers State Asylum used in filming was indirectly the inspiration for Arkham Asylum from Batman.
Session 9 is such an underrated horror/drama movie. I´ve seen the film multiple times and this creepy atmosphere of the movie gets me every time. Brad Anderson did an awesome job with the story telling & location for the movie. I also liked The Machinist & Transsiberian alot.
Just watched this for the first time last night. How did I miss this when it came out? Never even heard of it until maybe a year ago. Definitely gonna add this to my horror collection
Literally the last movie that spooked me.
all people are afraid of things that go bump in the night.
they all just picture different things.
Finally its getting some love!
Love the set-up and pacing of these videos. Commentator has a great, easy to listen to voice. Could be a VO pro.
Wow, thanks! Appreciate it
New subscriber. Found this on DVD in the charity shop today looks interesting. that's why I'm here.
Welcome aboard!
this is a good one ☝🏽
I live 15 mins away from the asylum
One of 2 movies to ever scare the shit out of me. Absolutely fabulous!
Very Underrated!
i was totally unimpressed with this movie.
I remember watching this and not know what it was but it turned out to be an eerie movie.
I saw this film in 2003 on DVD and was the first horror film to scare me since The Shining. I was so scared that afterwards I turned all the lights on to the bedroom and switched off in succession while leaving each room and hallway. I never had a reaction to a film before or since like that though 2nd night was fine
good times for thirllers/horrors. In the mouth of Madness, Summer of Sam, Identy, skelton Keyetc. This era of thrillers is something that made a generation.
While I agree with Caruso's top notch "fuck you" delivery, special mention needs to go to Mullan's response because we all had the same expression after hearing it.
More like one of the best I have seen
Love this movie always recommend it to people.
that's such a poignant statement: "Sometimes the best films in the genre are as much about Dramas as they are Horror film" [Chef's kiss]
Happy Accidents is also worth checking out. Completely different genera and tone but also dealing with ambiguity.
I’ll check it out.
Calling this the best horror movie is the biggest overstatement I ever heard. Movie is not even finished. In the end I expected to finally find out what or who is killing everybody and all of a sudden movie was over. Boring dialogues, camera was held by some kid overdosing on sugar, poor ligting, boring dialogues about nothing, characters dying and few minutes later re-appearing alive, tapes talking about nothing, invisible entity killing everybody. This movie owes me 100 minutes of life.
So whats your best horor movie then
@@abcdaffaa Any horror movie that has ending unlike this garbage. Director probably run out of money and he decided to release it anyway.
@@glasatv1463 i like hereditary
@@abcdaffaa I kinda like cabin in the woods (2011), but I wish something different would try to kill people in it. Cause towards the end you see all amazing posibilities and directors decided to go with classic boring zombies.
@@glasatv1463 Tucker and dale is rly good
I seen this on ifc at a buddies house when i was about 13 scared the ish outta me glad that over the last year or so its finally starting to get the respect it deserves
Gives creeps that stay with you long after it's over.
Never saw? Seen it like 5 times. It was even on UK Netflix up until recently.
I saw it debut, 2001 at Belcourt independent movie theater, Nashville. Absolutely top horror movie for me. Just creepy.
Great film!!
Have to mention: there are _five_ actors in this cast, not four. In this video when the stars are mentioned, Stephen Gevedon (Mike) is not featured at 0:23 ... even though he is part of the group and his character is a catalyst in opening a Pandora's box of big trouble into the proceedings.
I remember watching this movie in college. i dont remember liking it. maybe ill have to give it another shot.
watching this movie for the third time. Just realized where the Jiff that Hank found came from
Best review of this movie out there
This movie is fucking great! Just watched it again a couple months ago!
This is like the perfect movie.
Nice video as always man
Never forgot about this one but have not watched it since it released, been so long.