31 More Days of Horror: Session 9 (2001)

An asbestos removing crew is called into the Danvers State Mental Hospital. Phil (David Caruso) and Gordon lead a small team to remove the material a week. Unfortunately for them, Danvers State has some terrible secrets lurking. As Hank (Josh Lucas) begins removal downstairs, would-be lawyer Mike discovers a treasure trove of documents and interviews with former patients. Shared fascination with patient #444 leads every man unnerved.

Session 9 is a slow-burning, genuinely creepy psychologial thriller. It’s wonderfully atmospheric—set in a decaying, haunted building that once housed society’s rejects.  Writer/director Brad Anderson's uncompromising touch makes this one smart.

We don’t know everything about these blue collar workers, but from moment the job begins, we suspect something’s not right. What, we can’t quite pin down. But as the week progresses, each man begins to suffer the effects of Danvers State.  The derilict building is alive. An unexplainable tension that threatens to drive everyone—including the viewer—to the brink of insanity. And that’s only the beginning.

Two pivotal scenes evoke bone-chilling horror. Hank discovers old silver coins in the corner of one of the lower corridors. Knocking out the brick, coins, rings, bracelets, dentures, and glass eyes come pouring out. He doesn’t figure out he’s discovered the backside of the crematorium. In the other, Jeff is being chased by palpable darkness.

I hestitate to say more as the film’s success is in what you don’t see coming. As Mike’s obsession with patient #444 becomes more apparent and the cognizant viewer recognizes the parallels, the damage is complete and Anderson sets the stage for a truly disturbing climax.

Session 9 is an original, haunting film that you won’t be able to get out of your head. It’s ambiguitity requires the audience to think and maintain awareness because your life depends on it. There is no monster to be found in the dark, decaying corridors of Danvers State. But something is there and with every ‘OS’ moment, we get closer to it.