‘Does it hurt to be dead?’
Based on Richard Matheson’s (Hell House, I Am Legend) 1958 novel, this supernatural, very chilly thriller was sadly overshadowed by The Sixth Sense which was released in the same year. Both films feature a spooky little kid with who seems to know things others don’t, but that’s where the similarities end.
After Tom (Kevin Bacon, sizzling with a wiry hotness I did not appreciate at the time this film came out...21 year old me evidentially had no taste) is hynotised by his sister-in-law Lisa (Illeana Douglas), he starts having frightening visions and develops an addiction to cold orange juice. His son Jake (Zachary David Cope) tells him not to be afraid - like Cole Sear, Jake has a connection to those that have passed on into whatever is beyond the mortal world.
As Tom tries to decipher the meaning of his increasingly frightening visions and sudden ability to ‘know things’, he becomes convinced they are connected to a local missing teenage girl, Samantha (Jennifer Morrison).
His wife Maggie (Kathryn Erbe) is also on her own mission to find out exactly what’s going on with her husband and why he’s started doing things like digging up their back garden.
I love this film. It's autumnal colour palette, the dynamic between Tom and Maggie, how the story unfolds. My favourite scene comes very early on, and it’s when Lisa hypnotises Tom. As he sinks deeper into the hypnosis, his chair floats above the seats of a cinema and towards the flickering screen. It’s such a striking image.
It’s an underrated gem; eerie, compelling, sad, funny and at times, spine-chilling. The pacing is great, the compact run-time packs a lot in but keeps the plotting neat and tidy.
Content warning: sexual assault, teeth falling out, suicide (again! These movies love a suicide attempt).
Final thoughts: Kevin Bacon almost nudges Sam Neill off the Scream King top spot in this one.
