Stir of Echoes (1999)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

David Koepp

Writers (WGA):

Richard Matheson (novel)
David Koepp (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 September 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller | Horror | Mystery

Tagline:

Some doors weren't meant to be opened.

Plot:

After being hypnotized by his sister in law, a man begins seeing haunting visions of a girl's ghost and a mystery begins to unfold around her.

Plot Keywords:

Ghost | Chicago | Party | Sister In Law | Girl

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Zachary David Cope	...	Jake Witzky
Kevin Bacon	...	Tom Witzky
Kathryn Erbe	...	Maggie Witzky
Illeana Douglas	...	Lisa Weil
Kevin Dunn	...	Frank McCarthy
Conor O'Farrell	...	Harry Damon
Lusia Strus	...	Sheila McCarthy
Stephen Eugene Walker	...	Bobby
Mary Kay Cook	...	Vanessa Damon
Larry Neumann Jr.	...	Lenny
Jennifer Morrison	...	Samantha Kozac (as Jenny Morrison)
Richard Cotovsky	...	Neighborhood Man
Steve Rifkin	...	Kurt Damon
Chalon Williams	...	Adam McCarthy
Liza Weil	...	Debbie Kozac, the Babysitter
George Ivey	...	Security Guard
Lisa Lewis	...	Mrs. Kozac, Debbie's Mother
Mike Bacarella	...	Train Station Cop #1
Christian Stolte	...	Train Station Cop #2
Eddie Bo Smith Jr.	...	Neil the Cop
Hyowon K. Yoo	...	Korean Woman
James Andelin	...	Elderly Man
Karen Vaccaro	...	Upset Woman
Antonio Polk	...	Homey
Rosario Varela	...	Latin Woman
Duane Sharp	...	Polish Priest
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kevin Scott Greer	...	Party Goer (uncredited)
Lou Meza	...	Gothic Street Punk (uncredited)
Larry Nazimek	...	Block Party Participant (uncredited)

Directed by
David Koepp

Writing credits (WGA)
Richard Matheson		(novel "A Stir of Echoes")
David Koepp		(screenplay)

Produced by
Judy Hofflund	....	producer
Gavin Polone	....	producer
Michele Weisler	....	executive producer

Original Music by
James Newton Howard

Cinematography by
Fred Murphy		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Jill Savitt

Production Design by
Nelson Coates

Art Direction by
David W. Krummel		(as David Krummel)

Set Decoration by
Susie Goulder

Costume Design by
Leesa Evans

Makeup Department
Jim Beinke	....	makeup effects design and supervision
Villamor Cruz	....	makeup effects crew (as Vilamor Cruz)
Tony Gardner	....	special makeup designer
Tony Gardner	....	special makeup effects artist
Lun Yé Hodges	....	key hair stylist
Tara McCarthy	....	additional hair stylist (as Tara Ann McCarthy)
Linda Melazzo	....	key makeup artist
Suzi Ostos	....	additional makeup artist
Paul Palos	....	makeup effects crew
Lilo Tauvau	....	makeup effects crew
Laine Trzinski	....	assistant hair stylist (as Elaine Cascio)
Chip Williams	....	assistant makeup artist
Chip Williams	....	special makeup effects artist
Chet Zar	....	makeup effects crew
James Lacey	....	additional makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Bill Block	....	executive in charge of production
Thomas J. Busch	....	unit production manager (as Tom Busch)
Robert Hoffman	....	post-production supervisor
Laura Stuart	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Carla Corwin	....	first assistant director
Don H. Julien	....	second assistant director (as Don Julien)
Robert Schick	....	second second assistant director (as Bob Schick)

Art Department
Ernesto Alicea	....	laborer
Frank Battaglia	....	labor foreman
Terry Baughman	....	set designer
Michael Beavers	....	carpenter (as Michael J. Beavers)
David Best	....	painter
Wendy Bonn	....	painter
Wendy Bonn	....	props creation & painting
Wendy Bonn	....	scenic artist
Scott Borisy	....	swing gang
Mary A. Brady	....	assistant set dressing buyer (as Mary Brady)
Carmen Caputo Jr.	....	carpenter
Steve Cassettari	....	swing gang
Brian Cho	....	art department coordinator
James Cimbalista	....	paint foreman
Helmer Claesson	....	on-set dresser
Ray Conchado	....	laborer (as Ray Concardo)
John Coven	....	storyboard artist
Ronald Coy	....	painter
Robert DeVaughan	....	carpenter
Jeff Dieter	....	swing gang
George DiSalvo	....	carpenter
Ralph Divizio	....	carpenter
Phil Ellman	....	lead man
Randy J. Eppers	....	carpenter (as Randy Eppers)
Paul Fountain	....	laborer
Kenneth J. Gagnon Jr.	....	assistant property master (as Ken Gagnon Jr.)
Gene Garza	....	laborer
James Gerhardt	....	carpenter
Ron Grenko	....	carpenter
Lawrence Hammer	....	swing gang (as Larry Hammer)
James Handley	....	carpenter
David Hansen	....	painter
James Hartnett	....	construction foreman (as Jim Hartnett)
Damon Hennessey	....	laborer
Amelia Hochberg	....	assistant set dressing buyer
Scott Horwitz	....	laborer
Daniel Hunt	....	carpenter
Craig Jackson	....	carpenter
Lester Johnson	....	on-set painter
Lester Johnson	....	painter
Michael Joyce	....	plasterer
John P. Kenny III	....	construction coordinator (as John Kenny III)
Kevin Kenny	....	carpenter
Richard King	....	carpenter
Lynett Koetz	....	assistant set dressing buyer
Judy Kropsch	....	assistant set dressing buyer
Anthony Maentanis	....	laborer
Anthony Mell	....	carpenter
Elaine Miller	....	painter
Mike Monckton	....	paint foreman
Katherine Morgan	....	art department assistant
Bruce Mullins	....	carpenter
Derek T. Mullins	....	tattoo designer
Michael Murtaugh	....	painter
Bob Myers	....	labor foreman
Gerry Navarrete	....	painter
Russell O'Connor	....	carpenter
Chuck O'Malley	....	carpenter
John O'Malley	....	carpenter
Jill M. Pappas	....	carpenter
Darryl Parker	....	carpenter
Patricia Paulicki	....	painter
Chris Peterson	....	painter
John Rigden	....	property assistant
Hugo Santiago	....	set designer
Marc Alan Schneider	....	carpenter
Thomas Schweis	....	carpenter
John Simpson	....	painter
Wilmer Snow	....	painter
Gary Speckman	....	set designer
Kelly Stamper	....	assistant to designer
Warren Stern	....	location foreman
Glenn Stevens	....	carpenter
Marlene 'Mars' Strentz	....	set dressing buyer
Timothy W. Tiedje	....	property master
Darryl Turner	....	carpenter
Devin Tuuri-Derby	....	painter
Rosario Varela	....	artwork: Lisa
Donald Volpe	....	laborer
Paul Volpe	....	laborer
Robert Waddell	....	carpenter (as Bob Waddell)
Graham Walker	....	location foreman
Gregory Weber	....	painter
James Weber	....	painter
Tim Wilp	....	lead scenic
Dan Yates	....	carpenter
Jacob Zawacki	....	carpenter
Ken Sowinski	....	painter (uncredited)

Sound Department
Carmen Baker	....	supervising sound editor
Gregg Barbanell	....	foley artist
Ted Barela	....	sound crew
Jim Brookshire	....	dialogue editor
G.W. Brown	....	adr supervisor
Guy Carbonneau	....	second sound engineer (as Guy Charbonneau)
Tim Chau	....	sound re-recording mixer
Andy D'Addario	....	sound re-recording mixer
Robert Dodd	....	additional boom operator
Robert Dodd	....	additional cable operator
James Fahlgren	....	sound crew
Kurt Nicholas Forshager	....	sound effects editor (as Kurt N. Forshager)
Jim Gaudio	....	additional boom operator
Jim Gaudio	....	additional cable operator
Rich Green	....	foley artist
Eric Johnston	....	sound crew
Doc Kane	....	adr mixer (as Louis 'Doc' Kane)
Steve Kohler	....	dubbing recordist
Adam Kopald	....	sound effects editor
Laura Macias	....	foley artist
Donald J. Malouf	....	sound effects editor (as Donald Malouf)
Martin Maryska	....	sound designer
Reggie McGuire	....	sound effects editor
L.E. Mobile	....	sound recordist
Piero Mura	....	foley editor
Neil Porter	....	dubbing recordist (as Neal Porter)
Daniel Richter	....	production sound mixer (as Daniel J. Richter)
Scott D. Smith	....	production sound mixer (as Scott Smith)
Chris Sparkes	....	dubbing recordist
Todd Toon	....	supervising sound editor
Mark A. Tracy	....	first assistant sound editor
Trevor Ward	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Scott Warren	....	boom operator
Scott Weber	....	foley mixer

Special Effects by
Roger Barski	....	on-set special effects laborer
Rodman Kiser	....	on-set special effects foreman
John D. Milinac	....	on-set special effects (as John Milinac)
David Simone	....	on-set special effects laborer
Roy Unger	....	director of photography: special effects, ghost tests unit
Mark Weidling	....	on-set special effects laborer

Visual Effects by
Alec Bartsch	....	digital artist: BFTRE
Casey Cannon	....	visual effects supervisor: BFTRE
Glenn Cannon	....	video playback supervisor: BFTRE
Brent O. Coert	....	visual effects coordinator: BFTRE (as Brent Coert)
Hitoshi Inoue	....	digital artist: BFTRE
Fred Lacayanga	....	I/O manager: BFTRE
Travis Langley	....	technical director: BFTRE
Van Ling	....	visual effects supervisor: BFTRE
Josh Saeta	....	digital artist: BFTRE
Debra Sanderson	....	visual effects editor: BFTRE
Gunther Schatz	....	digital artist: BFTRE
Kerry Shea	....	visual effects production manager: BFTRE
Martha Soehendra	....	digital artist: BFTRE
Derick Tortorella	....	technical supervisor: BFTRE
Todd Vaziri	....	lead digital artist: BFTRE
Nadine Casamayou	....	assistant editor: BFTRE (uncredited)
Kristine McPherson	....	visual effects editor: BFTRE (uncredited)

Stunts
James Fierro	....	stunts
Mark Harper	....	stunts
Rick Le Fevour	....	stunt coordinator (as Rick LeFevour)
Stacy Logan	....	stunts
Tom Lowell	....	stunts
Daniel Maldonado	....	stunts
Carl Paoli	....	stunts
Linda Perlin	....	stunts
Randy Popplewell	....	stunts
Kenneth Remer	....	stunts
Bobby Stuart	....	stunts (as Bob Stuart)
Larry C. Tankson	....	stunts (as Larry Tankson)

Camera and Electrical Department
Richard Beck	....	rigging grip
Sam Bertone	....	electrician
Paul Bianco	....	additional electrician
Alphonse Blumenthal	....	gaffer
Kelly R. Borisy	....	key grip (as Kelly Borisy)
Fernando Bridges	....	additional electrician
Travis Busenbark	....	grip
Frank Byrne	....	second assistant camera: second unit (as Frank Burns)
Karel Capek	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Mark Castelaz	....	additional grip
Luis Cato	....	additional electrician
Theodore A. Corso	....	additional electrician (as Theodore Corso)
Ronald Crededio	....	additional grip
Gerrit Dangremond	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Charles W. DelGreco	....	rigging grip (as Charles DelGreco)
James Dennison	....	additional grip
Roger Doherty	....	generator operator
Martin Ferguson	....	additional grip
Joey Fishman	....	additional grip
Fred Folmer	....	best boy grip
John P. Friday	....	best boy electric (as John Friday)
Linda Gacsko	....	second assistant camera
Christopher Glasgow	....	additional electrician
Timothy Hale	....	camera technician
Jim Handley	....	grip (as Jim Handly)
Rory Herbster	....	electrician
Steven Hiller	....	first assistant camera (as Steve Hiller)
Jacqui Howell	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera (as Jacqueline Howell)
Dave June	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Michael Kohnhorst	....	director of photography: second unit
Eric Leach	....	camera technician
Ron Leahy	....	additional grip (as Ronald Leahy)
Stanley Mack	....	additional grip
Brian McKinley	....	additional electrician
Donna McLain	....	additional grip
Steve Meyers	....	rigging best boy gaffer
Thomas Mullaney	....	rigging grip
Chris Mulsoff	....	additional camera operator
Dave Murphy	....	additional electrician (as David Murphy)
Charles Orr	....	rigging key grip (as Charles 'Chip' Orr)
Don Parsons	....	rigging electrician
Frank Perl	....	camera operator
Walter J. Piers	....	grip (as Walter Piers)
Peter Ploger	....	additional camera operator
Ray Pope	....	electrician
Rob Pound	....	additional grip
Rolland Pudil	....	rigging grip
Bill Reilly	....	additional electrician
Rick Rios	....	electrician
James Ritchie	....	rigging gaffer
Chris Ryerson	....	grip
Robert P. Sanchez	....	first assistant camera: second unit (as Robert Sanchez)
Mike A. Scheitler	....	additional electrician
Kristine Scott Schultz	....	camera loader
Bill Sears	....	rigging electrician (as William Sears)
Thomas Sedor	....	additional grip (as Thomas J. Sedor)
Dean M. Simmon	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera (as Dean Simmon)
David Stephenson	....	additional electrician
Jason Storandt	....	dolly grip
Alan Thatcher	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Rick Thomas	....	additional grip
Tim Thompson	....	additional grip (as Timothy Thompson)
Matthew Tufano	....	additional electrician
Roy Unger	....	director of photography: ghost tests unit
Greg Van Horn	....	electrician (as Gregory R. VanHorn)
Andy Walzer	....	video assistant
Glen Weiberg	....	video engineer
Michael P. Weinstein	....	still photographer (as Michael Weinstein)
David Williamson	....	additional grip
Kevin Wisor	....	additional electrician
Bill Wruer	....	additional camera operator
Dino P. Yario	....	grip (as Dino Yario)
Daniel Yates	....	additional electrician
Andrew Yuncza	....	additional electrician

Casting Department
Mary Colquhoun	....	casting
Randall E. Flinn	....	casting assistant (as Randall Flinn)
Barbara Harris	....	adr voice casting
Mickie Paskal	....	casting: Chicago
Mark A. Ridge	....	extras casting (as Mark Ridge)
Rachel Tenner	....	casting: Chicago

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mardie Anderson	....	costumer: Kevin Bacon (as Mardie Hughes)
Stella Cottini	....	costume supervisor
Gina Marie Ome	....	set costumer

Editorial Department
John Axelrad	....	additional editor
John Axelrad	....	first assistant editor
Gary Burritt	....	negative cutter
Mike Milliken	....	color timer
Fred C. Vitale	....	assistant film editor
Steve Kraus	....	editing systems technician (uncredited)

Music Department
Maria Alonte	....	executive in charge of music: Nettwerk Productions
Jeff Atmajian	....	orchestrator
Charlie Bouis	....	score recordist
Sandy DeCrescent	....	orchestra contractor
Ken Gruberman	....	music preparation
James T. Hill	....	electronic score producer (as J.T. Hill)
James Newton Howard	....	orchestrator
James Newton Howard	....	score producer
Shawn Murphy	....	score mixer
Shawn Murphy	....	score recordist
David Olson	....	music editor
David Sabee	....	orchestra contractor
Jim Weidman	....	supervising music editor

Transportation Department
Joseph A. Alfano	....	driver (as Joseph Alfano)
Ramon C. Anderson	....	driver (as Ramon Anderson)
Mike Bremer	....	driver
Gregory Cagle	....	driver
Paul Cipich	....	transportation captain
Bob Costello	....	driver
Antimo Fiore	....	driver (as Antimo Fioré)
Chris Frigo	....	driver
Steve Hardy	....	driver
James Hogan Jr.	....	driver
James Hogan Sr.	....	driver
Joseph Losavio	....	driver
Henry Matesi	....	driver
John P. McAuliffe	....	transportation coordinator (as John McAuliffe)
John Nallen	....	transportation co-captain
David Oczkowicz	....	driver
Tom O'Malley	....	driver
Steven O'Toole	....	driver
Jim Plamas	....	driver
John Schmidt	....	driver
Thomas Schrul	....	driver
Charles Turibio Sr.	....	driver
Daniel Valente	....	driver
Robert C. Vos	....	driver (as Bob Vos)
Spero Zappas	....	driver
Michael Zebell	....	driver (as Michael Zbell)
Greg Zebrauskas	....	driver

Other crew
Matt Adler	....	adr voice
Jesus Alvarado	....	catering assistant
Todd Bachmann	....	assistant production coordinator
Carol Bair	....	stand-in: Kathryn Erbe
Steve Beeson	....	production accountant
Anne Berger	....	key set production assistant
Brian Bruskrud	....	assistant accountant
Vivian Cannon	....	production executive: Hufflund/Polone
Jack Clancy	....	construction medic
John Clancy	....	additional medic
Tom Creedon	....	hand piercee
Robert Cribben Jr.	....	construction medic
Michael D. Cronin	....	additional medic (as Michael Cronin)
Carlos Crume	....	office production assistant
Jacque E. Day	....	location scout (as Jacque Day)
Michelle A. De Mayo	....	post-production accountant (as Michelle A. Pante)
Wileen Dragovan	....	location manager
Dominique Fichera	....	assistant: Ms. Weisler
Greg Finley	....	adr voice
Jeff Fischer	....	adr voice
Jim Freer	....	main operator
Will Gatlin	....	craft service
Richard Grant	....	auricle central systems
Russell Green	....	set production assistant
Barbara Harris	....	adr voice (as Barbara Iley)
Jeffrey Hurt	....	craft service
Amy James	....	set production assistant
Bob Jones	....	hand piercing supervisor
C. David Jones	....	set production assistant (as Charles Jones)
Karen Kay	....	hand piercer
Carlyle King	....	adr voice
Renee Kitterman	....	set production assistant
Nicole Kleppe	....	assistant: Mrs. Hufflund
Thomas Koch	....	construction medic
John Lafayette	....	adr voice
David Leonard	....	set production assistant
Cliff Lissner	....	office intern
Kathryn Madden	....	set medic (as Kathy Madden)
Scott A. Martin	....	stand-in
James R. McAllister	....	assistant location manager (as James McAllister)
David McCharen	....	adr voice
Richard McGregor	....	adr voice
Susan Mieras	....	assistant: Mr. Bacon
Janice Naehu	....	assistant: Mr. Koepp (as Janice Pumehana Naehu)
Mary Nars	....	set production assistant
James Nicolay	....	assistant: Mrs. Hufflund (as Jim Nicolay)
Margaret J. Orlando	....	production coordinator
Carrie Oviatt	....	construction accountant
Teresa Phelps	....	set production assistant
Terrie Quinlan	....	studio teacher
David Randolph	....	adr voice
Owen J. Rice	....	location assistant (as Owen Rice)
Diane Salerno	....	product placement
Cid Swank	....	unit publicist
Barbara Tuss	....	script supervisor
Collette VanLoon	....	assistant chef (as Colette Van Loon)
Bill Vergos	....	office production assistant
Raymond Vicari	....	police advisor
Rick Ward	....	additional medic (as Patrick J. Ward)
Doug Wax	....	stand-in: Kevin Bacon
Heather White	....	set production assistant
Allen Wong	....	first assistant accountant
Christopher Wright	....	additional medic
James York	....	additional medic
Ruth Zalduondo	....	adr voice
Andrew Golov	....	studio executive (uncredited)
Timothy Scott Ralston	....	studio projectionist (uncredited)
Cathy Ziehl	....	studio assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Brian De Palma	....	special thanks
John Kamps	....	special thanks
Neil Landau	....	special thanks
Steven Soderbergh	....	special thanks
Andrew Kevin Walker	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Artisan Entertainment (presents)

Distributors

• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (VHS)
• 20th Century Fox Italia
• 20th Century Fox
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (Argentina)
• Art Port (2005) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Artisan Entertainment
• CCI (France)
• Filmes Castello Lopes (Portugal)
• Gativideo (Argentina) (video)
• Highlight Film (2000) (Germany) (DVD)
• Independent Films (2000) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Mars Distribution (France)
• New Films International
• Nordisk Film (2001) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Yorin (2003) (Netherlands) (TV) (first national airing)

Special Effects

• Alterian (uncredited)
• Banned from the Ranch Entertainment (BFTRE) (visual effects)

Other Companies

• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance
• Axium Payroll Services  payroll services provided by
• Banque Internationale A Luxembourg S.A.  production financing provided by
• Buena Vista Sound  sound editing and re-recording
• Catering Hotline  catering
• Chicago Audio Works  production sound services
• City National Bank  production financing provided by
• D.E.S.  avid equipment provided by
• Eagle Eye Digital Film  bem editing system provided by
• Eat Your Hearts Out  catering
• Film Finance  completion guarantor
• Gibson Dunn & Crutcher  financial services provided by
• Nettwerk Records  soundtrack
• Pacific Title/Mirage  titles and opticals
• Salerno & Associates  product placement
• St. Thomas Chapel, Seattle  recorded at

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, sexuality and language.

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Japan:PG-12 | Iceland:16 | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Singapore:PG (cut) | Philippines:R-18 | Italy:VM14 (cinema rating) | Italy:VM18 (tv rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Hungary:16 | Ireland:18 | Mexico:B | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 (video premiere) | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Artisan Entertainment

Trivia:

Kathryn Erbe's tattoo on her back reads "T + M" (standing for her husband Terry and her daughter Mave) and features a heart around the letters. This inspired the exact same tattoo placed on the inside of Kevin Bacon's forearm, which stands for the two actors characters, Tom and Maggie.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Kevin Bacon's character is digging in the back yard and has to move the water hose, he turns the faucet in the on direction and then unhooks it. When he moves it to the other faucet, he turns the faucet in the off direction then tries to turn it on.

Quotes:

Frank McCarthy: They were going to kill you in cold blood. I couldn't let that happen. Not here. This is a decent neighborhood!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Tracey Fragments (2007)

Soundtrack:

Rio de Generic

Had the bad luck it was released right after "The Sixth Sense".

Before 1999 this type of supernatural thrillers/horror didn't really existed. This all changed after the release of "The Sixth Sense". It was an huge hit and the movie was the talk of the year. It launched a totally new genre of movies. Every movie of the same 'type' released after "The Sixth Sense" was considered by everyone lame, unoriginal and a rip-off and a movie to quickly cash in after the success of "The Sixth Sense". "Stir of Echoes" was released only a month after "The Sixth Sense" and people wanted to know nothing of it. Completely unfair, also since I thought that the script was even being written before "The Sixth Sense" was and I also thought that filming completed earlier but yet it was released later in cinemas. Who knows what would have happened to this movie if it was released before "The Sixth Sense...It surely would had been appreciate more than it was now.

I'm glad that the movie by now is finally starting to receive the credit it deserves.

You also have to remember that in 1999 these type of movies were still fresh and new, so everything about it was original. However by todays standards the movie perhaps doesn't really seem that original anymore, since dozens like this sort of movie are being made every year now.

The story is greatly written by David Koepp, who really is one of the best writers in the business. Everything is build up perfectly slowly and mysteriously. You never know what is going to happen next and the movie offers more than enough surprise. In the beginning you really don't know what the movie is going to be about or were its trying to head to. You don't know if its real what is happening or is it just the main character imagining things. It provides the movie with mystery and an uneasy atmosphere.

The movie above all is a supernatural thriller (that also definitely has some similarities by the way with "The Sixth Sense", which also might be a reason why it was received so coolly) but the movie also features some real horror elements. And remember again, this was all quite new and refreshing for 1999 standards. I was actually quite blown away by the movie when I first saw it, which must have been in 2000 or something.

Kevin Bacon is really know for being the biggest Hollywood lead and he normally plays supporting roles, especially before this movie. This movie is perhaps the first one that truly allows Bacon to shine and show his skill as an actor and proof to the world that he can really carry a movie. It was nice and refreshing to see Kathryn Erbe in something different than "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" for a change. She plays such a different character. It shows how good as an actress she actually is.

The movie is well directed by David Koepp himself and he knows how to bring his own story to the screen. The movie further more features some nice special effects, that are used only in the right places. The movie is still definitely much better and more refreshing than most genre movies being released today.

Deserves to become a real genre-classic!

9/10