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Mystery horror film

Seance (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Seance (2021) movie poster

Seance is a 2021 mystery horror film directed by Simon Barrett, starring Suki Waterhouse as Camille Meadows, Inanna Sarkis and Megan Best. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $269,372 worldwide. Critics gave it 47% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10.

IMDb rating
5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
47%
worldwide gross
$269.4K
Echo Score
48
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Seance (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
Simon Barrett
Genres
Mystery , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Seance About?

The premise of Seance without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

At Edelvine Academy for Girls, a new student named Camille Meadows discovers a hidden society practicing teenage mysticism and conducting séances. They attempt to contact the spirit of a former student, but their ritual goes horribly wrong when one member dies unexpectedly. The remaining girls must then confront the dangerous, dark forces they’ve unintentionally awakened and fight to survive the escalating supernatural threat.

Seance Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • lesbian
  • girls boarding school
  • bathtub
  • seance
  • conjuring
  • rituals
  • punched in the face
  • punched repeatedly
  • detention
  • ballet class
  • mask
  • stabbed in the neck
+38 more
  • stabbed to death
  • no opening credits
  • haunting
  • woman
  • young
  • characters killed off one by one
  • young girl kisses young girl
  • title spoken by character
  • surprise ending
  • awakening
  • spirit
  • written by director
  • woman wears a tie
  • slasher horror
  • boarding school
  • kiss
  • violence
  • teen horror
  • adult actress plays a teenage girl
  • new girl in school
  • knee high socks
  • woman in a bathtub
  • woman dancing
  • school library
  • mean girls
  • close up of an eye
  • headmistress
  • bloody bathtub
  • woman tied up
  • camera shot of a woman's bare feet
  • woman wrapped in a towel
  • female bare back
  • candlelight
  • school yearbook
  • woman wears glasses
  • two women fighting
  • bolting upright from a nightmare
  • summoning a spirit
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Cast & crew

Seance Cast & Characters

Suki Waterhouse leads the cast as Camille Meadows, with Inanna Sarkis as Alice and Megan Best as Kerrie. Directed by Simon Barrett; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Seance

· 6 more
Ratings

Seance Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Seance 47% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in character & emotion (55) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

48 /100

Seance Echo Score Breakdown

Seance presents a mixed but generally underwhelming experience, with strengths in period production design and occasional atmospheric moments offset by uneven direction and a convoluted narrative. Critics repeatedly cite forgettable execution, puzzling camerawork, and a meandering plot, while some viewers appreciate solid performances and effective set pieces. The film’s limited replay value and inconsistent tone result in a net impression that leans toward the negative side of the spectrum.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, Seance displays competent period set design but suffers from inconsistent direction and camera work. Critics note puzzling cinematography and a pedestrian visual approach, whereas users praise the authentic costumes and atmospheric settings. The staging sometimes feels theatrical, detracting from cinematic fluidity. Overall, the technical execution is uneven, yielding a modest score for this aspect.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When evaluating character and emotion, the film offers mixed results. Critics describe lead performances as leaden, yet multiple viewers highlight solid acting, especially from Suki Waterhouse and supporting cast. The ensemble delivers credible chemistry in several scenes, though emotional depth remains limited. The divergent opinions balance out, positioning the character work slightly above average.

  • Story & Flow 50

    Story and flow in Seance are contentious. Critics criticize a meandering, overly convoluted plot that struggles to maintain focus, while some audience members note an engaging mystery that keeps them guessing. The narrative shifts between genres, creating both intrigue and confusion. This blend produces an average rating, reflecting both narrative ambition and execution flaws.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    Sensory experience receives moderate praise. Reviewers commend the film’s creepy atmosphere, effective sound design during suspenseful moments, and striking visual style that evokes a retro horror feel. However, critics point to inconsistent tonal shifts and occasional cheesy moments that diminish immersion. The balance of positive sensory cues and noted inconsistencies results in a slightly above‑average score.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    Rewatch factor is limited for Seance. Critics label the film forgettable and boilerplate, suggesting little incentive for repeat viewings. Some users find the twist and occasional fun moments enjoyable, yet describe the overall experience as disappointing. The combination of low novelty and mixed audience satisfaction yields a low replay value assessment.

Plot

Seance Plot Summary

What happens in Seance from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

One fateful night at the Edelvine Academy for Girls, a group of girls led by the ruthless Alice decide to play a cruel prank on their classmate Kerrie, pretending to summon the Edelvine Ghost, a haunting tale of a student who tragically took her own life. Devastated by the deception, Kerrie retreats to her dorm room, where she experiences a chilling moment as she spots a shadowy figure lurking. When her classmates rush to her aid after hearing her screams, they are horrified to find that Kerrie has fallen to her death from the window.

Full summary

The whole story of Seance, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Seance Box Office

Seance grossed $269,372 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$269.4K

International
$269.4K
Videos

Seance Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official US Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Seance?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What leads to Kerrie's accidental death?

Details

Seance Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “通靈” and “คืนปลุกผี”.

Also known as
  • 通靈
  • คืนปลุกผี
  • 降霊会-血塗られた女子寮-
  • 降霊会 血塗られた女子寮
  • Спиритический сеанс
  • Séance
  • Cầu Hồn
  • 女校召灵
  • Invocación mortal
  • Maldição da Escola Edelvine
  • Szeánsz
  • Ty jesteś następna
+9 more
  • Seans
  • 索命女校
  • Seance - Piccoli omicidi tra amiche
  • סיאנס
  • 분신사바: 죽음의 게임
  • Seansa
  • 降霊会 ―血塗られた女子寮―
  • 通靈女校
  • Invocació mortal

Seen Seance?

FAQ

Seance FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Seance, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Seance?

Seance runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Seance released?

Seance was released on May 21, 2021.

Who directed Seance?

Seance was directed by Simon Barrett.

More films by Simon Barrett

Who is in the cast of Seance?

Seance stars Suki Waterhouse as Camille Meadows, Inanna Sarkis as Alice and Megan Best as Kerrie, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Seance make at the box office?

Seance grossed $269,372 worldwide.

How is Seance rated?

Seance has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 47% on Rotten Tomatoes, 45 on Metacritic and 57% on TMDB.

Does Seance have a post-credit scene?

No. Seance has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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