SESSION 9 (2001)

With special guest Jason Ragosta

Intro, Math Club, and Debate Society (spoiler-free) 0:00-17:18
Honor Roll and Detention (spoiler-heavy) 17:19-52:05
Superlatives (so. many. spoilers.) 52:06-1:10:45

Director Brad Anderson
Screenplay Brad Anderson & Steven Gevedon
Featuring David Caruso, Larry Fessenden, Steven Gevedon, Paul Guilfoyle, Josh Lucas, Peter Mullan, Brendan Sexton III

Opened: August 10, 2001
Budget $1.5 million
Box office: $378,176 US/Canada, $1.6 million worldwide

SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS

Time: the present.  Location:  Danvers, Massachusetts.  Given the opportunity to clear asbestos from the long-dormant Danvers State Hospital, a sprawling asylum for the insane, abatement specialist Gordon jumps at the chance, claiming in his bid that he and his crew can do the job in one short week.  Gordon brings on four guys:  the dependable yet hot-headed Phil, would-be lawyer Mike, self-styled ladies man Hank, and Gordon’s nephew Jeff, who suffers from nyctophobia. Things seem to be moving along, but when Mike discovers the reel to reel tapes of a former patient named Mary Hobbes and becomes fascinated by her story, a larger tale begins to play out – one that shows startling parallels to the lives of the men shucking fiber in the hospital today.

SPOILER-FREE GUEST BIO

Jason Ragosta is a horror writer, director, and illustrator. He has written and directed multiple short films including Boy In The Dark, Ztv: Sympathy For The Devil, and Mother Love (a section of Sinphony: A Clubhouse Horror Anthology). He is also the writer and illustrator of “ZTV: Undead Empire,” a graphic novel expansion of his ZTV universe. By day, Jason serves as the editorial manager at Halon Entertainment, an NEP Virtual Studios Company. Favorite recess snacks: Lunchables and string cheese.

EPISODE NOTES

Music from “Session 9” by Climax Golden Twins.

Read more about the history of Danvers State Hospital, including the Patient Abuse Reports.

Why did Professor Louryk choose this film? Find out in our Blog.

TRAILER

SUPERLATIVES

The Gaspar Noe Award for Most Disturbing Scene
Jason: Jeff calling Mike the “R-word” while spitting up his food
Eric: Mike tells the story of the Patricia Willard Scandal of 1984
Bradford (TIE): Jeff’s nyctophobic panic attack; the sound of the fatal beating of Wendy by Gordon

The Ellen Ripley Award for Character Who Most Deserves to Live (But Doesn’t)
Jason: Mike
Eric: Jeff
Bradford: Baby Emma

The Michael Myers Award for Character Who Most Deserves to Die (and Does)
Jason: Hank
Eric: Hank
Bradford: Phil

The Ken Russell Award for Most Baroque Screen Moment
Jason: Gordon restrains Craig McManus and then stabs him to death
Eric: The ending, in which Gordon discovers the destruction he has wrought
Bradford: Gordon pulls the leucotome out of Hank’s eye

The Brad Dourif Award for Character Who Could Have Been Played by Brad Dourif
Jason: Craig McManus
Eric: Bill Griggs
Bradford: Jeff

FINAL LETTER GRADE

Jason: B-
Bradford: A-
Eric: C-