Session 9 Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Asbestos removal guys find haunted tapes in an abandoned asylum, and their stress levels cause them to start acting like the patients on the tapes, ultimately resulting in a very messy and unproductive work week.

🍿 Session 9: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Asbestos Removal at Danvers Mental Hospital

Gordon Fleming’s asbestos removal company wins a bid to clean up the abandoned Danvers Mental Hospital. They commit to a rushed one-week timeframe for a lucrative bonus, adding immense pressure. The crew consists of Phil, Gordon’s partner, along with Hank, Mike, and Jeff. Gordon, a new father, faces significant stress at home, adding to the tension.

The Tapes and Hank’s Discovery

Inside the hospital, Mike, a former law student, discovers audio tapes of patient Mary Hobbes, who suffered from multiple personality disorder. He becomes obsessed with listening to these sessions. Meanwhile, Hank finds a stash of old silver coins, leading him to return to the hospital at night. His mysterious disappearance fuels the growing unease among the crew.

Growing Tensions and Gordon’s Deterioration

As the week progresses, tensions escalate. Gordon grows increasingly erratic, and his connection to reality frays. Phil becomes suspicious of Gordon’s behavior, and their professional relationship deteriorates. Mike delves deeper into the disturbing audio tapes, uncovering the presence of a sinister personality named Simon.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Gordon Fleming (Peter Mullan): The stressed and strained owner of the asbestos removal company, who gradually succumbs to the dark influence of the asylum and its history.
• Phil (David Caruso): Gordon’s pragmatic partner, who becomes increasingly concerned about Gordon’s deteriorating mental state and the dangerous atmosphere of the hospital.
• Mike (Stephen Gevedon): A former law student and member of the crew, who becomes obsessed with the audio tapes of a former patient, unwittingly amplifying the asylum’s dark influence.
• Hank (Josh Lucas): A manipulative and untrustworthy member of the crew whose greed leads him to a grim fate within the hospital.
• Jeff (Brendan Sexton III): Gordon’s nephew and a member of the crew, who grapples with his own fears and is vulnerable to the unsettling environment.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Simon (Mary Hobbes): “I live in the weak and the wounded.” – Said during Session 9, revealing Simon’s motive and nature as a parasitic entity that preys on vulnerability.
• Gordon: “You! You come with *me.*” – Gordon, increasingly influenced by the dark forces, abruptly commands Phil in a tense moment.
• Phil: “Hey! Fuck *youuuu.*” – Phil responds defiantly to Gordon, highlighting the breakdown of their working relationship and the rising tension.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.5M
• Domestic Gross: $378,176
• Worldwide Gross: $1,612,259

💥 Session 9 Reviews

Personal Review

Session 9 messed with my head in the best way possible. The setting is absolutely terrifying; that abandoned asylum felt so real and oppressive. Peter Mullan’s performance as Gordon was incredible – you could see the stress slowly eating away at him. That scene where he’s on the phone with his wife, and you realize it’s all in his head? Chilling. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, trying to figure out what was real and what wasn’t. It’s not a jump-scare fest, it’s a slow-burn, psychological nightmare that sticks with you long after the credits roll. Definitely one of the creepiest movies I’ve seen.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological horror”
  • “Viewers who appreciate slow-burn suspense”
  • “Those interested in films exploring mental illness”
  • “Viewers who enjoy atmosphere over gore”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Disturbing themes of mental illness”
  • “Mature language”
  • “Brief gore”

Professional Reviews

• Film Threat: “Session 9 burrows under your skin with its oppressive atmosphere and slow-burn dread. It’s not a rollercoaster ride of cheap scares, but a deeply unsettling exploration of the human psyche unraveling in a place of profound suffering. The hospital itself is a character, a silent witness to madness.
• AV Club: “Brad Anderson crafts a truly unsettling atmosphere, drawing inspiration from classic psychological thrillers. The film explores the darkness within, suggesting that the true horror lies not in the supernatural, but in the fragility of the human mind. Caruso and Mullan deliver memorable, nuanced performances.
• BBC: “While the ending may divide audiences, Session 9’s strength lies in its palpable tension and haunting setting. The decaying Danvers State Hospital is more than just a backdrop, it’s a character that seeps into the minds of the crew. The performances are strong, particularly Peter Mullan as the increasingly unstable Gordon.

Audience Reactions

The atmosphere of the abandoned asylum was incredibly unsettling and really set the tone for the entire movie.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s creepy atmosphere, realistic characters, and the slow-burn psychological horror.

Peter Mullan’s performance was outstanding, portraying a man slowly losing his grip on reality.: Many highlight Peter Mullan’s acting as a standout, conveying the character’s internal struggles effectively.

Overall Consensus: Session 9 is a slow-burn psychological horror that relies on atmosphere, strong performances, and a sense of creeping dread, making it a chilling experience for those who appreciate suspense over jump scares.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot on location at the real Danvers State Hospital in Massachusetts, which added to the unsettling atmosphere for both the cast and crew.”
• “Director Brad Anderson chose to shoot the film on MiniDV to give it a grittier, more realistic feel, which was unusual for the time.”
• “Some of the actors reported experiencing strange occurrences and feelings of unease while filming in the abandoned hospital.”

🖥️ How to Watch Session 9?

Session 9 is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check JustWatch for current streaming availability, as it may fluctuate. Unfortunately, at present Session 9 is not available through standard streaming subscriptions, therefore is accessible via rental or purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Session 9, you might like these similar films:

• The Shining (1980): Both films explore the psychological disintegration of a character isolated in a large, unsettling building with a dark history.
• Don’t Look Now (1973): Features a pervasive sense of dread and psychological unease as a couple confronts a series of unsettling events in a foreign environment.
• Grave Encounters (2011): A modern found-footage horror where a paranormal investigation crew finds themselves trapped in an abandoned asylum, facing increasingly terrifying phenomena, similar atmosphere.
• The Changeling (1980): Explores themes of grief, guilt, and a haunting presence in a secluded house that preys on the protagonist’s vulnerability.

🛒 Session 9 Related Products

• Danvers State Hospital: A History of Madness in Massachusetts: Explore the real history of Danvers State Hospital, the inspiration behind the film’s setting. This book dives into the actual events, treatments, and stories from the hospital’s past, providing a chilling real-world context.
• Asbestos Removal Suit: Protective suit, similar to those worn in the film, for hazardous material environments.
• The Shining (4K UHD): Often compared to Session 9 in terms of its psychological horror and isolated setting, The Shining offers a masterclass in building tension and exploring madness.
• Multiple Maniacs (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: This movie explores similar themes of the darkness within the human spirit, and how easily people can go mad.

🎧 Soundtrack

Session 9 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Opening” – performed by Climax Golden Twins
• “Hobbes Patient” – performed by Climax Golden Twins
• “Session 9” – performed by Climax Golden Twins

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Unsettling Psychological Horror of SESSION 9

Want to understand why ‘Session 9’ messes with your head so much? This video breaks down the psychological elements of the film and reveals some interesting insights. It totally enhanced my appreciation for the movie’s subtle creepiness!

Drag Queens Trixie Mattel & Katya React to Eli and Session 9 | I Like to Watch Horror | Netflix

Need a laugh after watching such a dark movie? Trixie and Katya bring their hilarious commentary to some of the scariest scenes from ‘Session 9’. Their reactions are pure gold, especially when they try to make sense of that ending!

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