Session 9 (2001)

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.

Director:

Brad Anderson

Writers:

Brad Anderson, Stephen Gevedon

Stars:

David Caruso, Stephen Gevedon, Paul Guilfoyle

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
David Caruso	...	Phil
Stephen Gevedon	...	Mike
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Bill Griggs
Josh Lucas	...	Hank
Peter Mullan	...	Gordon Fleming
Brendan Sexton III	...	Jeff
Charley Broderick	...	Security Guard (as Charles Broderick)
Lonnie Farmer	...	Doctor (voice)
Larry Fessenden	...	Craig McManus
Jurian Hughes	...	Mary Hobbes (voice)
Sheila Stasack	...	Wendy (voice)

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

abandoned asylum | lobotomy | coin | mental institution | baby | 

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Taglines:

Fear Is A Place.

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief strong violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mary Hobbes' paperwork states she was fourteen years old in 1951 when the murders took place and it was 1974 when she was committed and interviewed, so Mary would have been thirty-seven.

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Goofs

In the documents Mike comes across Mary Hobbs diagnosis is D.I.D. In the time period of the tapes D.I.D was still labeled as Multiple Personality Disorder, it was not until 1994 they changed it to Dissociative Identity Disorder to accommodate the DSM-IV-TR (a mental disorder diagnostic guide).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Phil: Gordy? You look tired, man. You look beat. Your turn to feed Emma?

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Alternate Versions

The US DVD contains an additional subplot that was removed from the final cut of the film. A homeless woman resides in Danvers State Hospital, and watches the crew go about their business. Initially presented as a menacing "being", shown as collecting objects (rubbish, leaves, insects) in threes in a room, she then becomes more and more human through the film. The crew observe things to give her presence away. She witnesses their murders, and becomes scared. She then kills Gordon at the end in retribution. Unfortunately, it is badly cut, and shows at several points during the film.

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Connections

Referenced in Murder in the Making: A Documentary (2016)

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Soundtracks

Excerpts from "Climax Golden Twins"
Written and Performed by Climax Golden Twins
Courtesy of Fire Breathing Turtle Records

User Reviews

Truly Wonderful

There are two kinds of horror movies.

One, the ones that need to rely on gore to get a reaction from an audience. The other, the kind that requires a brain in order to process the fear-inducing story. I think the one that requires a brain is the best kind because there is no limit to what the mind can make you feel, and when done right, the second kind of movie will take you to heights of horror and suspense that the first kind of movie can only aspire to.

This movie, Session 9, falls in the category of the second kind and that is apparent by the number of people who have chosen to rate it based on their limited taste for just gore, with no substance.

So, in closing I won't go into what happens in the movie, because that is the fun, but will simply say that if you are looking for a chop-'em- up, blood squirting in your face slasher flick, this isn't it. If you are looking for a suspenseful little flick that builds the creep and fear factor, enjoy.

If you are a connoisseur of FEELING a movie, you will hopefully be back to rate it accordingly.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 September 2001 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Session 9

Filming Locations:

Supino's Restaurant, 250 Newbury St, Danvers, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$76,493, 12 August 2001

Gross USA:

$378,176

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,612,259

Company Credits

Production Co:

USA Films, Scout Productions, October Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1