Seance

A very suspicious chess move in the Nathan Hill film ladder, I found Seance to be curious, and in fact almost an art-house style film. I can guess that from his previous film Tomboys, being a one room drama, that Hill wanted to broaden his horizons and shoot a film with a lot of exterior locations, which includes some incredible underwater sequences, shot on a limited budget. I heard a rumor that the shooting schedule was so tight that almost the whole movie is acted in one takes. For this alone it is quite an achievement then. 'Seance', much like Hill's 'Hyde & Seek' falls into a well known brand and genre of horror films. I guess the only difference here is that the movie is based on a true story. Apparently Daniel Rankin and Mr Hill were in class together one day during high school and had an emergency teacher recite a story (which the film is based on) about a friend of his who had just killed himself due to an horrific séance experience. The mind boggles. The last time I saw a Hill film he was smashing down a doorway, this time it's a rooftop!

This film stands out for its focus on psychological elements rather than relying heavily on horror tropes. It explores themes of grief, isolation, and the impact of the supernatural on the human psyche.

The film's setting, particularly in a quiet morgue, effectively conjures suspense and terror, utilizing light and shadow to create an eerie mood. The director's choice of not relying heavily on gore and blood to convey the horror element is notable, focusing instead on a more subtle approach to keep the audience engaged. The cinematography, shot in HD, adds an aesthetic appeal to the film, making even the disturbing content visually pleasing.

Seance is a curious and interesting take on the psychological horror genre.