While Barrett has dabbled in directing over the years most notably the “Tape 49” segment of horror anthology
V/H/S/2
Seance marks his debut as a feature director. The film is set at a prestigious girls boarding school where one student dies shortly after a prank seance ritual, which may have actually awoken a dead former student who reportedly haunts the halls of the academy. Shortly after the tragedy, a new student arrives, Camille Meadows (
Suki Waterhouse), who is immediately tormented by the school’s mean-girl pranksters. But Camille has a secret agenda, fearlessness, and certain abilities that make her capable of defending herself from bullies, would-be killers, and possible ghosts. Rich with atmosphere and dripping in blood,
I think Iâm arriving good and early for my interview with William Shatner when I click on our video-chat link 10 minutes ahead of time. But Shatner has arrived even earlier: there he is, as soon as my Zoom screen opens, poking away at his computer.
âI like to get in early to ease my mind. But itâs okay: I can meditate afterwards,â he says. His tone is often heavily ironical, as if he is daring you to accuse him of playing a joke on you. This has led to much discussion from fans about âthe Shatner personaâ, although Shatner scoffs at the phrase. âI donât know what that even is,â he says.
io9 speaks with Simon Barrett, writer-director of the new horror movie Seance, about his screenwriting process, his love of “old-fashioned” horror, and what it’s like trying to make a scary movie in a time when the real world is terrifying as hell.
Last modified on Thu 20 May 2021 03.45 EDT
I think Iâm arriving good and early for my interview with William Shatner when I click on our video chat link 10 minutes ahead of time. But Shatner has arrived even earlier: there he is, as soon as my Zoom screen opens, poking away at his computer. âI like to get in early to ease my mind. But itâs OK, I can meditate afterwards,â he says. His tone is often heavily ironical, as if he is daring you to accuse him of playing a joke on you. This has led to much discussion from fans about âthe Shatner personaâ, although Shatner scoffs at the phrase. âI donât know what that even is,â he says.