Lets run it back really quick…
I went blindly into watching this film, but that does not mean you have to reading this so heres some background on this interesting (not in the best way) film. In the thriller Things Heard and Seen, a young couple’s move to a picturesque Hudson Valley town takes a chilling turn. Catherine, an art restorer, and George, a professor, find their new home holds more than just rustic charm. As Catherine uncovers unsettling secrets about their house’s history, she begins to question not only her surroundings but her marriage. Strange occurrences and ghostly whispers hint at a dark past, while tensions in the present continue to build. This film is also based off the novel All Things Cease To Appear. Here is some more eye catching background to go with my explanation.
How Did This Film Find Me?
Drawing on the title of the course Algorithms and The Arts, I used the Netflix algorithm to assist this film in finding me. I like to think that my Netflix knows me pretty well, considering it has over seven years worth of knowledge/data about what the different versions of me has liked to watch. For this assignment, I wanted to use a film over a series, so I have a full understanding from start to end of the plot and features that make it up , rather than just a portion of it from a few episodes. For this film to find me, I went onto Netflix and navigated to the movies section. From there I scrolled through the “Your Next Watch” section, which is a list of films that was compiled and tailored to your own personal liking. When I got to the final pane, I had picked three movies to choose from. More than half of the options that were picked for me were in the genres of horror/supernatural/thriller. Out of the three, I picked (clearly) Things Heard and Seen. This film is a Netflix Original, and with these they tend to either be really good or really bad so place your bets now
My Experiences During Things Heard and Seen
Paranoia
In some parts of watching Things Heard and Seen, it can feel like being trapped in a haunted house with a narrator who might be losing their mind. The film’s slow-burn approach and the protagonist’s changing perspective keep you guessing throughout. Are the strange noises and creepy rushes of inanimate objects moving real, or is she just imagining things? The uncertainty is what makes it so unsettling. You can’t help but feel a little paranoid yourself, wondering if there’s something lurking in the shadows of your own home. In Things Heard and Seen, the paranoia is in the room with you from the very beginning. Catherine, the protagonist, senses a strange energy in her new home. The creaking floorboards, the unstable electricity, and the casual smell of gasoline in their bedroom all contribute to a growing sense of unease. The film’s climax, when Catherine discovers the hidden truth of her new home and town, is a particularly chilling moment. The climax involves a confrontation between the main characters, Catherine) and her husband George at their farmhouse. By this point, Catherine has discovered George’s numerous lies and his involvement in multiple deaths. The tension that has been building throughout the film reaches its peak as George’s true nature is fully revealed. During this confrontation, supernatural elements that have been placed at throughout the film come into play more directly. The spirits that have been haunting the house appear to intervene and scare George back into line. There’s a struggle between Catherine and George, culminating in a life-threatening situation for Catherine. The climax ties together the film’s themes of deception, the supernatural, and the dark secrets of the past, bringing the psychological and paranormal aspects of the story to the forefront.
Intrigue and Curiosity
Intrigue and curiosity are key elements that drove my experience in Things Heard and Seen. From the very beginning, the film’s unsettling atmosphere and unexplained occurrences pique the viewer’s interest. One striking moment occurs when Catherine discovers a Bible with a family tree that includes scratched-out names marked “Damned”. Moments after this, she was guided to a mysterious ring stuck in the latch of her kitchen window by a white light. When she finally gets it free, we see her first encounter with the spirit, whom of which is the owner of the ring. We see a figure of white light (which we can assume is the spirit), that essentially passes through Catherine, both of which she sees and feels. All of the moments where the spirit presents herself such as when George and Catherines younger daughter Franny, is able to see her in her room when she was trying to fall asleep. Here, we are able to see her whole face, which was also presented in an old painting that was found. Catherine’s finding of this painting acts as a catalyst for her unease as she slowly learns about the house and the woman in that painting. Catherine is also able to hear the spirit whisper to her sometimes. This occurs whether it’s when she is simply in her house or when she is asleep and she the spirit sends her warning signs in her dreams.
The film’s tension escalates during a dinner party where Catherine’s husband, George, becomes increasingly dismissive and hostile. A seemingly harmless comment about their new home spirals into an argument that reveals deeper fractures in their relationship. George is known to have a very short fuse and have explosive reactions all throughout the film. Whenever he reacts in such a way, the spirit always shows up, causing more of a commotion then him which we can see when the lights flicker, objects exploding, and the radio playing very loud even when it’s not plugged in. These actions from the spirit act as an extinguisher for the flames of his anger to protect Catherine and stop the fight.
The part that that peaked my interest and curiosity the most is when Catherine partakes in a séance with a group of people who have a strong knowledge and connection of the spirit world. Catherine learns the identity of the previous owner of the house, and thinks that who has trying to been connect with her from the other side; she needs to know why. They tell her “evil spirits only connect with evil-doers and good always triumphs evil.” They use the ring that Catherine found as an anchor to summon her spirit. Catherine learns that the house has two spirits, one good and one evil. She also discovers that the evil spirit only has power if someone in the house allows it. To me, this is symbolism of the relationship of her and her husband. Throughout the whole film we are learning just how bad of a person he really is because of the things he does, what he says, and how we see him treat Catherine. As the spirits are summoned, hidden resentments and truths about George’s character come to the forefront. The act of reaching out to the dead parallels Catherine’s confrontation with the truth about her life and relationships, revealing that the ghosts she faces are not just from the past but also from her current reality.
Partial Dissapointment
Ok, so when I first watched this film I was disappointed because I thought it could have been executed a little bit better. I feel like there were some holes in the plot, and some things were left unexplained or a little unclear. I also felt like they were doing a lot of jumping around, which made it a little confusing. However, I did flap my gums a little too hard and was a bit dramatic because when I went back and watched it for the second time I did find myself enjoying it more. I think that the second time I watched it, I already had a basically full background of the plot, characters, and storyline so I had the opportunity to tune into things I might have missed or not paid attention to closely enough. I am still left partially a little disappointed because it could have been executed a bit better, but I definitely feel more strongly about it now. I also just wanted to note that the actress of Catherine was incredible in this movie and the ending will throw you for a loop leaving you also intrigued.
Experiences, Features, and Techniques
| Experience | Feature | Technique |
| Paranoia | Uncertainty of what the spirit wants at first, tension in relationships, George being a killer, secrets of the house, the unknown | Cinematography, sound design, visual effects, symbolic imagery, the ending of the film |
| Intrigue/Curiosity | All of the mystery surrounding the house, the town, and the entity that accompanies them within their new home. | Storyline changes/new revelations unfolding, constant secrets |
Finding the Ideal Audience
To help “Things Heard & Seen” find its ideal audience, a targeted marketing strategy could focus on engaging viewers who appreciate psychological thrillers and supernatural dramas with character development. Utilizing social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the campaign could highlight eerie visual clips and suspenseful moments, accompanied by compelling quotes that resonate with fans of films like “The Others” or “Hereditary.” Collaborating with horror and thriller influencers for watch parties or discussions would generate buzz and create a community around the film. Additionally, using film festivals and genre conventions could introduce the movie to dedicated fans who value storytelling and complex narratives. By emphasizing its themes of isolation, hidden truths, and the interplay between real life and supernatural elements, the campaign could effectively attract an audience that craves both psychological depth and chilling suspense.
