Seance

Seance is a captivating horror and mystery film released in 2021, meticulously crafted by the reputable director Simon Barrett in his directorial debut. The movie stars Suki Waterhouse, Madisen Beaty, and Inanna Sarkis, delivering gripping performances that seamlessly blend unsettling ambiance with raw emotional drama. In the vein of contemporary horror films, Seance doesn't just hinge on the superficial scares; it probes into interpersonal relationships and underlying tensions, giving depth and dimension to this chilling narrative.

Suki Waterhouse, celebrated for her performances in movies like "The Bad Batch" and "Assassination Nation," stars as Camille Meadows, the film's complex and intriguing protagonist. Camille enrolls at the prestigious Edelvine Academy, an all-girls boarding school with a reputation for rigorous academics and a chilling ghost story that’s intimately intertwined with the school's history.

Shortly after Camille's arrival, the school's tranquil facade is disrupted when a student dies suddenly and under mysterious circumstances, intimately resonating with the ghostly legends that haunt the institution's corridors. Given the enigmatic nature of the death and a growing tide of unease among the students, Camille is reluctantly propelled into the nerve-racking investigation, seeking answers in the cold and eerie atmosphere of the academy.

Camille then immerses herself into the group of girls that knew the deceased as she navigates the hostile territory of teenage disputes and rivalries. Waterhouse gives an engaging performance as a new student trying to adjust to the school’s atmosphere and simultaneously being swept into the swirl of the ongoing mystery. Among the circle of girls is Madisen Beaty's Bethany and Inanna Sarkis' Alice, who both contribute to the overall suspense and intensity of the plot with their nuanced performances.

In an attempt to comprehend what transpired and confront growing teenage anxieties, the group decides to conduct a seance - a scenario fittingly befitting the film's title. This decision, however, plunges them headfirst into the uncanny and potentially dangerous realm of the supernatural, serving as a catalyst for a series of unsettling events that grip the school.

Simon Barrett, renowned as a screenwriter for movies like "You're Next" and "The Guest," takes up the director's baton for the first time and does an exceptional job of gradually layering suspense. The movie leverages its atmospheric boarding-school setting to create a claustrophobic, eerie narrative where tension bubbles and oscillates in every scene. The cinematography and sound design work in cohesion to underscore the increasing sense of dread, isolating audiences in the school’s near-gothic setting.

The Seance also cleverly combines elements of mystery with traditional horror cues, ensuring that it’s not just about scares but also about unravelling the enigma of the situation. The girls' collective quest to unlock answers underscores a parallel narrative of friendship, trust, and the universal trials of adolescence - giving it a substance that goes beyond your typical horror flick.

However, it is the suspense that reigns supreme and is expertly cultivated throughout its runtime. Barrett maintains an air of uncertainty, spinning an intricate web of secrets, lies, and unseen dangers. From unsettling whispers echoing through the hallways to the characters' scenes of sudden discovery, every moment contributes to the build-up leading to the film's climactic moments.

In conclusion, Seance is a chilling addition to the horror-mystery genre, managing to effortlessly create a story that is as darkly compelling as it is fear-inducing. Excellent performances from the cast, led by Suki Waterhouse, further enhance the film's qualities, making it an unforgettable and unnerving cinematic experience. This film is definitively a must-watch for any enthusiast of the genre who appreciates a good chill running down their spine as they delve into a world of the uncanny and the unknown.