PSYCH: 9
US, 2007, 98 minutes, Colour.
Sara Foster, Cary Elwes, Michael Biehn, Gabriel Mann, Colleen Camp.
Directed by Andrew Shortall.
Quite a creepy film for those who enjoy feeling uncomfortable and fearful at the movies.
The setting is a hospital due for demolition. The only activity is sorting out files – and, of course, the leading lady, Roslyn (Sara Foster) takes on the night shift (her husband, Cole (Gabriel Mann) drives taxis at night, so this gives them some time together). The reason for anxiety is that there is a serial killer on the loose (which is how the film starts) and, it emerges, the victims all have files at the hospital. And action takes place only at night.
This offers the opportunity for Roslyn to wander the abandoned corridors with the slowest possible steps as the music ominously suggests frightening presences, for her to ride up in the sinister lift, look into files, hear noises and, in general, keep herself and the audience on edge. She even begins to suspect that her husband is the serial killer.
There is a kindly secretary (Colleen Camp) who got Roslyn the job despite details in her back story which are gradually revealed. She also meets a genial doctor sorting documents on the fifth floor, a British therapist, who listens to her story (Cary Elwes). And the investigating detective, Michael Biehn, keeps turning up.
There are a whole lot of strange occurrences. Is Roslyn imagining some or all of them, is she dreaming, are her flashbacks, especially concerning her abusive father and his death, actual? Needless to say, there are a few more deaths, some plot developments that are baffling at times so that we are not too sure what is happening. Probably, Roslyn isn't either. But, it doesn't matter all that much since atmosphere and creepy feelings are the most important thing.
The copyright on the film is 2007. Perhaps, the writer had been reading Denis Lehane because Psych 9 has a very Shutter Island feel about it.
1. A terror thriller? Touch of the slasher? Touch of the supernatural? The title and its tone? Psychological dimensions?
2. The hospital, the settings, the interiors, due for demolition? Action taking place at night? The musical score and its moods?
3. The focus on Roslyn, getting the job, and her help, at, Dr Irvin and his interest in Roslyn, psychologically? The husband, driving the taxi, support? The doctor and the files? Her job,
going through the files? The noises in the hospital, action – and the audience on edge as well is Roslyn?
4. The background of deaths, serial killers? Identity? Mystery?
5. Roslyn, the flashbacks to the past, relationship with father? Her own mental sanity?
6. The detective, the investigations, interrogations?
7. The effect on Roslyn, the effect on the audience? The resolution?
