Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964)

March 4, 2025 6:08 PM

A medium and her husband stage a kidnapping in order for her to pretend to solve the crime and achieve fame.

Plot summary from IMDb.

Directed by Bryan Forbes from a screenplay adapting a novel by Mark McShane. Starring Kim Stanley, Richard Attenborough, and Margaret Lacey.

The trailer shares a bit too much, I'd say, but it's there in case anyone's interested.

82% / 83% on Rotten Tomatoes.

JustWatch listing.

posted by johnofjack (3 comments total)

Stephen King mentions this in Danse Macabre, but I'd say his movie recommendations there are an odd mix of horror, thriller, dark fantasy, and camp. This one is more of a thriller than a typical horror movie, but still--I've found it completely engrossing both times I've watched it (first in 2009, then again tonight). It's got two excellent leads, a sharp script, and solid cinematography and editing. I'm surprised it hasn't had a physical Criterion release.
posted by johnofjack at 6:14 PM on March 4 [2 favorites]

I love Kim Stanley. She's got vulnerable/dangerous/off-kilter DOWN.
posted by queensissy at 4:40 PM on March 5 [1 favorite]

And thank you for posting this, because it prompted me to give it a rewatch yesterday (on a wet evening). Just absolutely terrifying. The choice to have no score during some of the most tense moments is brilliant. And the end. Holy guacamole.
posted by queensissy at 12:29 PM on March 6 [1 favorite]