Séance proves that gaslighting isn’t a modern invention. In this instance, it reaches back to 1892 California, where a Victorian woman (Emma) is contemplating adultery while taking refuge at her first husband’s (George) home. But she’s not alone. Her current husband (Albert) is also there. Oh and let’s forget that Emma’s first husband is married to someone new (Lillian). And that gaslighting, there’s plenty to go around, making this the kind of movie where you’re screaming at the TV, “Oh I hope you get what’s coming to you!” and “Push him down the stairs!”
First up Emma. I spent 75% of this movie looking on in wonder at this woman’s audacity. Because she isn’t the hero, not even at the end when it’s revealed [SPOILER] that Lillian isn’t crazy. George is manipulating the situation to get Lillian institutionalized so he can get back together with Emma. She brought Albert to the seaside because she wasn’t 100% sure George was serious about taking her back. That right there was a cruel decision on her part. And she tried to gaslight herself and Albert into believing that somehow this was his fault and not hers.
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Emma was moving in ways in Séance that made me have zero sympathy for her. And while I wouldn’t watch another movie with this character, or be friends with her in real life, I like that she’s messy. I like that she’s not a likeable person and that she’s horrible enough to lie to her current husband to bag her first one again. Because these kinds of people exist; selfish, cruel, and deceitful. And it’s possible for these kinds of people to still do the right thing when faced with someone like George.
The George and Lillian thing of it all felt like the most real part of Séance. Men have absolutely gaslighted their wives, and those who would otherwise support her, to make it seem like she’s mentally unstable. Because if divorce isn’t on the table, making it seem like she’s crazy is an easy out. It takes the pressure off the man and infantilizes him while playing into stereotypes of a woman having a “weak constitution” and being overly emotional. And personally, I’m not sad that George got pushed down those stairs. He would’ve done it to Emma when he found his next wife.
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Gaslighting aside, I do feel like Séance should’ve leaned a little bit more into the horror/thriller aspect of it all. Because at times it felt like the movie was trying to fill in space with Emma walking around and looking haunting. Instead, they could’ve given me more of Emma and Albert. Because their exchanges were interesting and I would’ve liked to see more. I also think that the ending wasn’t needed. Everything was good. Lillian was alive and George wasn’t. And then Séance really leans into the haunting possibly being real. It takes away from the atmosphere and thriller of it all and cheapens everything that happened to that point.
Séance is good on the gaslighting and gothic looks of it all, but it needed to lean into who it was a little more. If you’re going to go for the thriller of it all, stick with that. If you’re going to go with the interpersonal drama of it all, lean into it and give us more interactions between the couples. And please don’t try to pull the rug out from underneath us with there possibly being ghosts. Ultimately, Séance feels like an unfinished draft to something with good bones and drama that makes you go, “Can you even believe her?!”
Séance is currently making the rounds at film festivals.
