Then, during a party, the sceptical Tom is hypnotised by his sister-in-law Lisa (Illeana Douglas, playing yet another of those marginal kooks that she does so well). Unfortunately, Tom is left with disturbing visions as a result of that experience, and becomes obsessed with images of a young girl who apparently disappeared six months earlier. Lisa seems unable to reverse the effects of her hypnotism. Tom's behaviour becomes more erratic and driven, which disturbs Maggie.

Rational explanations for Tom's post-hypnotic behaviour are a little thin on the ground, which adds to the intense and chilling development of suspense, but does little for the movie's credibility. There is no real sense of mystery either, as more astute members of the audience should probably be able to pick whodunit and what they did well before the surprising revelations.

That Stir Of Echoes works so well and gradually draws the audience into its web of suspense and unease is due largely to Koepp's atmospheric direction. Bacon's intense and volatile performance as the single-minded and inexplicably driven Tom also suitably builds up the air of uneasiness. However, in an important role as the sensitive kid, young Cope does not possess half the charisma or natural charm and maturity that Haley Joel Osment brought to his similar role in The Sixth Sense. Inevitably, Stir Of Echoes will be, fairly or unfairly, compared with the vastly superior The Sixth Sense, although this film was made first. Unlike that film though, this one doesn't have that killer kick in the tail to make it memorable.