Stir Of Echoes revolves around Tom Witzky (Kevin Bacon), your average husband and father, whose life is turned upside down after being hypnotized at a party. When Lisa (Illeana Douglas), Tom’s sister-in-law, leaves a posthypnotic suggestion, it releases a subconscious power that Tom didn’t know he possessed. Tom’s son demonstrates this inherited power to see the dead long before Tom realizes either have the ability. Tom fights bouts with insomnia, visions he doesn’t understand, and an unquenchable thirst for orange juice.
Bacon plays his character well. As Tom Witzky losing his mind in pursuit of understanding his visions, Bacon never overdoes it. He makes you feel sympathy for him, yet leaves you feeling disturbed and curious to his fate. Zachary David Cope (Jake Witzky), the son, plays his part with an eerie coolness that is scarier than expected. When Cope had conversations with the dead while speaking to the camera, shivers went up my spine.
The scariest scenes are with the appearance of Jennifer Morrison, who plays Samantha, the lost soul. In one scene, there is a special effect that shows her walking into the doorway, and it’s like something out of a Marilyn Manson video. Her body jars to and fro like the scenes were ripped out of the film, leaving increments that are skipped over and then back to their original position. That scene was still on my mind when I went to sleep that night.
If you love sci-fi and/or horror flicks, you’ll love Stir Of Echoes. The movie is simple, scary as hell, and will have you playing junior detective throughout. I enjoyed the twists and the little thrills the film provided. I didn’t even mind when a cop came into the movie out of nowhere and added nothing to the plot. Just prepare yourself to be shaken, stirred, and, on occasion, scared as hell.
+ charlie craine
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