Just in time for Halloween, Netflix has released its latest original thriller film Hypnotic. This film is based around hypnotherapy, which is actually a quite common therapeutic practice. But this film gives it a creepy edge when the person in charge of the hypnotherapy has less than the best intentions in mind when using it. Check out our spoiler-free review below.

What is it about? 

Starring Kate Siegel of Netflix’s previous Halloween-time hit, The Haunting of Hill House, this film is more thriller than scary but has a definite creep factor thanks to a hypno-psycho-therapist named Dr. Collin Meade.

Our main character, Jenn, is a good-looking, young woman going through a bit of a rough patch with her personal life. Who can relate? However, her trusted BFF, Gina, diagnoses her as possibly having mild clinical depression, and recommends she pays a visit to the therapist that just so happened to be at the dinner party Gina hosted. It also happens that Jenn’s ex-fiance got an invite to that same dinner party. Some intuitive and considerate thinking there on Gina’s part. Oops. 

Jenn decides to get some help for herself and visits Dr. Meade’s office which is surprisingly bare and unwelcoming. We learn that Dr. Meade isn’t just a therapist. He specializes in hypnotherapy. Hoping to make a change in the way her life has been going, Jenn gives that a try. Next thing we know the session’s over and everything seems normal, for now.

But soon, tragedy ends up at Jenn’s front door and the mysteriousness of her hypno-sessions piques the best of her curiosity. After digging, Dr. Meade’s credibility as a licensed therapist seems sketchy at best. And the worst part? One of his previous female patients had mysteriously turned up dead. 

What ensues is a cat-and-mouse game of Jenn trying to get to the bottom of Dr. Meade’s facade as things get increasingly dangerous the deeper she goes. 

Watch it or not?

There’s not much insight into the exact methods Dr. Meade uses for his hypnotherapy. What are his controlling words? What does she experience while under his control? How does she come out of it? So if you’re hoping for a detailed account of what hypnotherapy is really like, don’t bet on it with this movie.

Overall, the film provides a semi-entertaining ride to coincide with the Halloween weekend but as far as thriller movies go, this one is pretty far down on the list.