Having a seance as the backdrop didn’t grab my attention. What did though, was Simon Barrett’s name attached as writer-director. Two insanely solid horror movies, The Guest and You’re Next under his belt. Not to mention having written for the anthology V/H/S. Shut up and take my money, yes, I want whatever you’re making. So here we are, with the Séance movie.
A teen-centric, slasher set in an Academy that begins with a dorm room prank gone wrong. You can’t get any more generic than that. Fortunately, Seance brings all the extra you could want in a horror film and the result is a highly entertaining and interesting story that is worth watching.
Same old school bullies, same old dark secrets, and a long history of scary hauntings. But what sets “Séance” apart is the introduction of an outsider. Camile is played by Suki Waterhouse who I think has the same sullen pan-faced demeanor as Kristen Stewart. I like them both in a teenage angst kind of way. Cool but suitable for a role like this.
As soon as she turns up, the grey area between the bullies being behind the death of Kerrie or whether there are mysterious forces at play is perfect for those who like to be kept in the dark. There are just enough red herrings to make you think you have it all worked out before the film sets off in a different direction.
All Female Cast in the Séance Movie
Séance is a great slasher film that delivers a refreshing twist with its all-female ensemble cast. The performances are stellar, fully underpinning the suspenseful narrative. While not as graphic as other entries in the slasher genre, “Séance” still offers a satisfying level of gore that will hit the sweet spot of horror enthusiasts.
Accompanied by a nostalgic and engaging 80s ambiance score, this film is an independent gem for fans who appreciate the chills and thrills of this particular format. In a saturated sub-genre, Séance truly stands out as a top-notch popcorn flick that will keep you on the edge of your seat for its entire runtime.
Lights flicker, floorboards creak and there is just enough atmospheric creepiness. Perhaps if you’re susceptible to that sort of thing, the little hairs on your arms might stand up. I had my assumptions about who Camile might be, but the writers added enough elements to the mix that the ending was quite satisfying.
Full Movie Trailer for Séance 2021
Séance premiered on Shudder on September 29th, 2021.
Written and directed by Simon Barrett (You’re Next, The Guest).
The Séance movie cast includes Suki Waterhouse (Assassination Nation), Madisen Beaty (Once Upon a
Time… In Hollywood), Ella-Rae Smith (Into the Badlands), Inanna Sarkis (After Franchise), Seamus Patterson (Channel Zero), and Marina Stephenson-Kerr (Channel Zero.) For another film about contacting the dead read the review for Baghead 2024 or the Australian horror movie, Talk to Me.
Produced by Dark Castle Entertainment / Distributed by Shudder and RJLE Films.
Did you watch Seance and hate it? Maybe you’d prefer this review from The Detroit News.
