Session 9 | Forgotten Horror 7

Madness in the Halls of the Mind

This week on Forgotten Horror 7: The Nightmare is Reel, we descend into the decaying corridors of Session 9 (2001), Brad Anderson’s unsettling psychological horror film that proves you don’t need jump scares to get under someone’s skin.

Shot on early digital cameras inside an actual abandoned asylum, Session 9 was one of the first horror films to fully embrace digital filmmaking and somehow, it still manages to look hauntingly timeless.

What We Loved

We were both struck by how well the film’s atmosphere holds up. The cinematography, color palette, and use of the Danvers State Hospital setting create a sense of unease that creeps in quietly and never lets go. Butler, in particular, praises the striking shot choices and the way the decaying environment becomes a character of its own. Even after two decades, the film’s visuals still chill.

We also found plenty to admire in the performances and direction. The cast, led by Peter Mullan, David Caruso, and Josh Lucas, bring believable tension to the story, and Anderson’s low-key direction grounds the supernatural elements in something deeply human.

Where It Falters

That said, Butler couldn’t ignore the script’s shortcomings. He found it thin, calling it “a bit too much like a film school thesis project” which is a fair point, given the story’s occasional vagueness and reliance on mood over plot. Still, the atmosphere and character work more than make up for the narrative gaps.

Final Thoughts

Session 9 remains an easy recommendation for filmmakers and horror fans alike, especially anyone interested in atmospheric storytelling or the early days of digital cinema. It’s slow-burn horror done right: quiet, psychological, and steeped in dread.

Listen to our full discussion wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. And remember… sometimes the scariest places are the ones that look like they’ve been waiting for you.