Name: Seance
Genre: Horror
Released: 2021-05-21T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Suki Waterhouse, Ella-Rae Smith, Madisen Beaty, Inanna Sarkis, Stephanie Sy

The flickering candlelight casts eerie shadows on the faces of six schoolgirls huddled together, their laughter tinged with nervous energy as they dare to summon a spirit. Simon Barrett’s Seance (2021) opens with this chilling tableau, setting the stage for a horror film that trades in classic tropes while attempting to carve out its own niche.

Barrett, known for his work on You’re Next and The Guest, brings a keen eye for atmospheric tension to Seance. The film’s setting, an elite boarding school for girls, is a perfect crucible for adolescent fears and supernatural horror. The production design excels in creating a claustrophobic, gothic environment, with dimly lit hallways and creaking floorboards that heighten the sense of dread.

The ensemble cast, led by Suki Waterhouse as Camille Meadows, delivers performances that are generally strong. Waterhouse, in particular, brings a compelling mix of vulnerability and defiance to her role as the de facto leader of the group. Her portrayal of Camille is nuanced, capturing the character’s internal conflict between her desire to protect her friends and her own curiosity about the supernatural. Ella-Rae Smith as Helina and Madisen Beaty as Bethany also stand out, their chemistry palpable as they navigate the increasingly tense dynamics among the friends. Smith’s Helina is a standout, her performance oscillating between playful banter and genuine fear with ease. Beaty’s Bethany, meanwhile, brings a quiet intensity to the role, making her character’s eventual fate all the more impactful.

Barrett’s direction is sure-handed, particularly in the film’s early sequences. The seance scene itself is effectively unsettling, with clever use of sound design to amplify the sense of unease. The pacing in the first act is tight, building suspense through slow reveals and a growing sense of dread. Barrett’s ability to create a sense of foreboding is evident in every frame, from the eerie silence that follows the girls’ initial laughter to the sudden, jarring noises that punctuate the night.

However, the film falters somewhat in its third act, where the narrative takes a predictable turn into familiar horror territory. The twist, while not entirely unwelcome, lacks the originality to fully satisfy. The film’s reliance on jump scares and conventional horror beats becomes more apparent as it progresses. While these elements are competently executed, they don’t elevate Seance above other entries in the genre. The narrative structure, which initially feels fresh, ultimately succumbs to formulaic storytelling.

The film’s themes of friendship, fear, and the unknown are explored with varying degrees of success. Barrett delves into the complexities of female friendships, particularly the power dynamics and loyalties that emerge under stress. However, these themes are sometimes overshadowed by the film’s reliance on horror tropes. The exploration of the supernatural is intriguing, but it often feels secondary to the more grounded aspects of the story.

Seance is far from a misfire. Its strengths lie in its atmosphere and performances, which keep the film engaging even when the plot takes familiar turns. Barrett’s ability to create a sense of foreboding is undeniable, and the cast’s commitment to their roles adds depth to the otherwise conventional story.

In terms of genre fit, Seance aligns well with contemporary horror films that blend supernatural elements with psychological tension. It shares similarities with films like The Craft (1996) and The Conjuring series, particularly in its use of a seance as a narrative device. However, it lacks the innovative storytelling and deep character development that make those films stand out.

Comparatively, Seance falls short of Barrett’s earlier work, such as You’re Next, which successfully blended horror with dark comedy and subverted genre expectations. While Seance has its moments of originality, it ultimately plays it too safe, relying on familiar tropes rather than taking risks.

The film’s target audience is clearly fans of supernatural horror and atmospheric thrillers. Those who enjoy slow-burn suspense and eerie settings will find much to appreciate in Seance. However, viewers looking for groundbreaking storytelling or innovative twists may be left wanting more.

In the end, Seance is a solid, if unremarkable, entry in the horror genre. It doesn’t break new ground, but it delivers enough chills and thrills to keep audiences entertained.