Session 9, 2001

Up until the last 15mins, nothing 'horror' worthy actually happens, but right from the off you'll feel spooked by this film. A load of guys are de-asbestosifying (ok so that's not a real word but go with it!) a disused mental hospital. One of them finds a stash of old recordings of the 'sessions' between a psychiatric doctor and his schizophrenic patient. The story builds the tension brilliantly and you just know this is not going to end well. I didn't quite see the end coming but even if you do, it doesn't spoil the plot because it's more about the build-up than the climax itself. There was just one bit that I found stupidly funny – During a 'session', a young girl pops up as one of the multiple personalities so the patient (adult man) starts talking in a baby voice like that of a young girl. Don't ask me why, but I just found this hilarious. I can only put this down to nervous laughter! A really gripping, chilling and in the end, quite bloody horror.

SECOND OPINION: First thing that grabbed me about this movie is the cast. It's absolutely top notch for a film of it's type. Until everything starts unravelling, it's more like a good quality drama than a little known horror. Unravelling. It's a good, encompassing word for Session 9, as the film doesn't romp or barrel along, it slowly unravels along with the characters.
The set-up is curious. Maybe it is generic, but since it's played with such conviction, it certainly didn't feel like it. Our four characters are hired to clear asbestos from an old lunatic asylum. The boss, Gordon Fleming (played by the intense Peter Mullan from Children of Men) has three of his usual team with him, but is struggling with life. Business is tough and this job could mean make or break, so do they really need the fourth guy, they guy no-one trusts?
Meanwhile, Phil (David Caruso) finds some recordings of a woman, who for the most part talks nonsense. However, the tapes are filed as Session 1, 2, 3 etc. and we know something significant is bound to happen when he reaches number 9.
Session 9 will stay with you, no doubt. It's an unusual ghost story which descends into madness in much the same way The Last Winter does. Is it the asylum, or the tapes, or something else entirely? Watch it and see for yourself...