Le grand hypnotiseur

I really liked the start of this one. You truly couldn't ask for a more striking beginning; the first 10 minutes of the film are amongst the best that I've seen. I'm really quite surprised that more people have not seen this and that as I write this, there are only two other reviews. Perhaps it is not easily available for people to find, I don't know...

This is a VERY Psychological Mystery / Thriller. I also REALLY liked some of the sets, like the foyer outside of his office. There is one shot straight down for a moment immediately after the doctor walks out of his office to meet his patient and she is standing in front of a large clock. The composition of the shot is beautiful. Anyway, the visuals employed throughout the film give it a nice look and use imagination. It is not over-stylized though where it would detract from the movie, but since the film deals with the mind and hypnotism, it uses it's visuals well.

The direction, writing, and acting are very good. There is DEFINITELY a palpable tension and expectation running through the film as the doctor is trying to use his expertise to help the seemingly reluctant woman. I don't want to say too much more so as not to spoil anything, but I will say that I did enjoy the movie very much and found both the ultimate idea of it and the way they did it quite entertaining.

So, as I state in my Summary... You might have one impression in mind when the film starts, but by the end I don't think you will quite be expecting what it becomes.

A nice change of pace, and to me anyway, a rather unique story. I would think that if a Chinese film with this premise catches your interest in the first place, I don't see why you wouldn't like it. So, if you do not happen to be Chinese and you don't mind reading sub-titles, and particularly if you really like Psychological Mystery / Thrillers, I think that there is a good chance that you should enjoy this film.

This is a psychological thriller that not only entertains but also transports the audience into a narrative trance. With engaging direction and a multi-layered script, the film masterfully plays with the perception of reality and illusion, making the viewer question every detail of the story.

From the very beginning, we are introduced to Dr. Ruining Xu (Xu Zheng), a meticulous and skeptical psychiatrist specializing in clinical hypnosis. His confidence is challenged by Ren Xiaoyan (Karen Mok), a mysterious patient who claims to see ghosts. Their confrontation turns into a fascinating mental game, where each hypnosis session becomes a piece of a complex puzzle.

The film's greatest strength lies in the way its narrative unfolds, hypnotizing the audience with unpredictable twists and cinematography that reinforces the feeling of immersion. The dark color palette and the use of mirrors and reflections contribute to the dreamlike atmosphere, making each scene feel like a subconscious reverie. The subtle yet precise soundtrack intensifies this effect, guiding the viewer through a psychological labyrinth from which it is hard to escape.

The performances of Xu Zheng and Karen Mok are another highlight. Their on-screen duel is filled with tension and emotion, and their chemistry elevates the story to an even more engaging level. As Dr. Xu tries to maintain control of the situation, Ren Xiaoyan's enigmatic presence leads him (and us) into a spiral of doubts and surprising revelations.

Throughout the film, we are compelled to ask: what is real, and what is a construct of the mind? The Great Hypnotist not only answers this question but also makes the viewer feel hypnotized, lost in its layers of mystery. A stylish and intelligent psychological thriller that proves cinema can be a truly immersive experience.

I watched this on a recommendation from a friend; would otherwise have never heard about it. But boy, did it really draw me in and keep the engaged the whole way through. It was a small movie with few characters and mostly taking place in one room, but there is a lot going on beneath the surface and each revelation is masterfully crafted. Would definitely recommend to others as well.

The Great Hypnotist offers an intriguing mixture of a psychological thriller and a mysterious drama. The movie convinces with a gloomy atmosphere from start to finish. With a length around one hour and a half without the credits, the film has solid pace and is coherent and consistent. The story is also very interesting and comes around with a few minor surprises and one twist that might be predictable for genre experts but that is still greatly executed because the movie offers many clues and details to the viewers. This immersive film is quite intellectual and offers some food for thought and debates long after you have watched it.

The story revolves around a famous psychologist who uses hypnosis to make his patients fight their inner demons. One day, the case of a troublesome woman who believes to see ghosts around her but doesn't understand their purpose is referred to the psychologist. It turns out that this isn't only going to be his most complex but also his most personal case.

There aren't too many negative elements to mention in this very good film. What bothers me a little bit is the fact that the two main characters are hard to symapthise with at first contact. The psychologist is full of himself while the patient acts in a hostile way. Some of these behaviors are explained towards the end and the last third of the film changes the initial perceptions completely. Still, the slightly antipathic characters make an initial approach to the film somewhat difficult. However, your patience will be rewarded by the end of the movie.

In the end, you should watch The Great Hypnotist if you like psychological thrillers or mysterious dramas. This movie stands out with its challenging story that requests the viewers to immerse themselves fully into a highly atmospheric film. Thanks to a gloomy atmosphere, this film is best enjoyed on a lonely night at home.

The Great Hypnotist does not waste time to show us what out main character is about. It's a thoroughly fascinating introduction and it makes you look forward to see more of it. Our main character called Chen Ting who is a famous psychologist is asked to take on a case that is very peculiar. A lot of mystery and intrigue is surrounded by it which for half an hour or so does grab your attention. But then it fades and fades and eventually sizzles out. What was supposed to be a hair raising thrilling viewing experience becomes rather dull. At one point everything is explained in great detail and I could care less. Not that the mystery we are presented to is not interesting or clever. Because it was, very much so. Only the way it was told killed the atmosphere and tension. Questions are raised whether what we see is real or not. This usually is an interesting mechanic since it's quite challenging to give solid explanations for supernatural elements. Plus it is fun to be fooled by a film. Only The Great Hypnotist never leaves too much doubt about what is happening. Not that you can predict everything right from the start. But enough to kill the enjoyment. It does not help that we don't learn a lot about Chen Ting. For which there is a good reason plot wise. At the same time though it makes it hard to connect to him emotionally. Which seems to be extremely crucial at the end. The Great Hypnotist had all the ingredients to go crazy and over the top and tell a compelling story. Since it had a plot angle that could do so in a very acceptable way. However I feel they dropped the ball on that. They did not even scratch the surface of the possibilities. And that is a real shame. When I started watching I was completely psyched (no pun intended) but gradually lost interest. The Great Hypnotist plays it too safe and borrows too much from other similar thrillers so that it's not that hard to predict which direction it is going. Now that does mean that if you have not seen enough this could prove to be offer more than you bargained for.

Overall it's not a complete waste of time. Visually the film is very stylish. And that does help a lot. But I do think that fans of the genre will be very disappointed especially after the strong opening. As a drama this fails completely since there is not much time given to connect to any of the characters. Whatever is there is because of good actors like Karen Mok. She is able to give her character a lot of depth with minimal means. Only it's not enough to keep you drawn to the story. On top of all the tension and suspense that was very much needed is gone and with such an interesting premise is that is difficult to accept.