Finding something original in the densely populated horror genre isn’t easy. But writer, director, and co-star Vivian Kerr manages it in her compelling and character-rich horror drama “Séance”. Kerr mixes the supernatural with the psychological in framing her eerie Victorian era chamber piece. But at its core, “Séance” is a strikingly human relationship drama that lures us in with its chilling atmosphere before enthralling us in an unfolding story that would rather us think than jump out of our skin.
Kerr is no stranger to thoughtful character explorations as evident by her terrific 2022 film “Scrap”. With “Séance” she shows similar interests although with a deeper and more involving focus. Her latest centers around four complex people, each hiding their own emotional baggage behind fragile facades of happiness and contentment. But it’s not long before those thinly constructed walls start to crumble.
An extraordinary Scottie Thompson leads the film’s small but superb cast. She plays Emma Strand, a published novelist who is six months into her second marriage. She and her husband Albert (Connor Paolo) reside in Texas but have traveled to California for some vacation time on the beach. While there, the couple run into Emma’s first husband George Ford (Jilon VanOver) and his wife Lillian (played by Kerr). The rather awkward meeting leads to a dinner invitation which the Strands uncomfortably accept.
The rest of the film plays out in the Fords’ dimly lit, shadow-draped mansion which Lillian inherited from her late parents. Throughout its lean and efficient 85 minutes much is revealed about the characters, both as couples and individuals. Emma is exhausted by Albert’s constant doting and frustrated by his lack of intimacy. Albert has allowed his insecurities to impact his marriage, so much that he’s been keeping things from his wife.
As for the Fords, both are still reeling from the loss of their young daughter Hazel who tragically drowned eight months earlier. George has suppressed much of his grief, concentrating more on providing for his wife than dealing with his own sorrow. Lillian has had a much tougher time. She was with Hazel when the child died and the guilt has left her an emotional wreck. Now she’s convinced her daughter’s spirit is still present in their house and is trying to communicate with her.
Everything eventually comes to light after Emma and Albert agree to stay the night rather venture out into a torrential storm. More troubling truths are revealed and new tensions are exposed. To top it all off, Lillian convinces everyone to participate in a spooky séance complete with creaking floors, flickering lights, a shaky chandelier, and a levitating table. Though well executed, the séance seems a little out of the blue. But its importance becomes clear later on, even if everything about it isn’t fully explained.
But all in “Séance” comes back to its four flawed central characters. Kerr shrewdly unwraps them so that each manages to earn our sympathies and our reproach. But most importantly, she maintains their human pulse which enables us to understand their feelings and motivations, at least until final 15 minutes or so. Surround them with Kerr’s assured direction and you have a thematically rich, elegantly shot, and exquisitely acted dark mystery/relationship drama that’s focused more on the spirits within its characters than any haunting specter without.
VERDICT – 4 STARS
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