Hey folks, Valkor here. Summer is just about ready to come to a close. And with Halloween creepin closer and closer, it's time I set my sights on TOV's 15 films of horror. And while it's too soon to add Nathan Hill's latest film "Séance" into the rotation, it's not too late to consider adding it to your spook film festival. Check it out!
Séance centers on Bill Triggers (Daniel Rankin), a guy dealing with the loss of his fiancée Theresa whom died in a car accident six months prior. Bill now spends his days isolated from his friends and family, at a beach house brooding over photos of Theresa, watching television and snorkeling. One day his friend Sam (Piers Cunningham) makes the suggestion that he get out of the house and start mixing it up; Sam sets up a date with friend Wendy (Lara Welsh) and her friend Cassandra (Bronwyn Murphy). Of course Bill isn't having much fun and he admits to Wendy that all he ever wanted was to say "I love you" to Theresa. So Wendy suggests having a séance using a Ouija board to call Theresa's spirit. But when the words "T-H-E D-E-V-I-L" is spelled, that's when the shit really hits the fan and Bill begins his spiral into madness. His nights become restless as he starts to deal with voices and a constant scratching that happens the same time every night and it only gets louder and louder. He even has the place checked by tradesmen and he finally leaves the place when a priest pays him a visit and tells him to get the hell out! But even in the new place the voices and scratching follows. Is it all in his head or is Bill being spooked by something from the other side?
This is Nathan Hill's third turn here at TOV. He wowed TOVer Epic-1 with Tomboys. I was a bit tepid with Jasper. But with Séance… let's see how well it fairs in the TOV Breakdown!
The Good:
This isn't an out and out horror film; Séance is a journey into one man's fall into madness and it chilled me to the bone. The overall mood of the film is dark and creeping, with a slow pacing that definitely doesn't hurt the film at all - it actually completes it! I mean right from the start all we have is Bill watching TV, snorkeling, cooking, sleeping, or not answering his phone. Taken out of context it would seem boring, but given the type of film we're watching, it actually makes more sense and makes the film feel that much more real; that much more… creepy. This is not a Hollywood style picture; there are no quick edits, lots of wind, rain, lightning strikes and blowing candles; what we have is a simmering buildup of one man's dealings with the supernatural. And in that respect, I actually enjoyed the film. I can even forgive teh fact that you don't see any ghost or objects floating about, just the damn creepy scratcing and the voice. Great job all around to Nathan Hill and crew. Great job!
The Bad:
The acting is a bit stiff; it's not perfect and it can detract at times, but it's nothing serious. I'm also not a fan of the foreshadowing of the ending. When you see it, you'll know.
The Ugly:
What I'm about to say, please don't take it as a negative, but the ending is quite gruesome. I've seen that sorta of thing before, but not to the level that Nathan brings to the table. Very gruesome!
Séance gets a release next month and with Halloween soon to follow, this is definitely one film you'll want to add to your horror film rotation. It's not the scariest film on the planet, but it takes creepy to a whole new level. And out of TOV 5 stars, I give Séance a 4 and it's been Valkor Viewed, TOV Approved!
Valkor Out!
