Stir of Echoes (1999)

David Koepp’s Stir of Echoes is a taut, atmospheric supernatural thriller that manages to weave elements of horror, suspense, and psychological drama into an engaging cinematic experience.

Released in 1999, the film is based on Richard Matheson’s 1958 novel of the same name and stars Kevin Bacon, Kathryn Erbe, and Illeana Douglas. Though overshadowed at the time by the phenomenal success of The Sixth Sense (released just a few weeks earlier), Stir of Echoes stands as a compelling and underrated entry in the late 1990s supernatural wave.

The story revolves around Tom Witzky (Kevin Bacon), a blue-collar telephone lineman living with his wife Maggie (Kathryn Erbe) and young son Jake (Zachary David Cope) in a working-class Chicago neighbourhood. After being hypnotised by his sister-in-law Lisa (Illeana Douglas) at a casual party, Tom begins to experience unsettling visions of a ghostly young girl and feels a growing sense of dread that he cannot explain.

His young son, already gifted with a psychic sensitivity, shares a similar connection to the otherworldly presence. As Tom’s life begins to spiral, his obsession with uncovering the truth leads to the revelation of a hidden crime buried quite literally close to home.

Koepp’s direction is deliberate and intimate, choosing to focus on character-driven suspense rather than cheap jump scares. His use of urban settings—the cramped houses, back alleys, and basements of Chicago—grounds the supernatural story in a gritty realism. The cinematography by Fred Murphy favours moody shadows and stark contrasts, giving the film a tense, claustrophobic quality that mirrors Tom’s psychological unraveling.

Kevin Bacon delivers one of his strongest performances of the era, convincingly portraying Tom’s descent from affable family man to a man consumed by paranoia and obsession. His portrayal captures the fine line between fear and determination, making the character both sympathetic and unnervingly unpredictable. Kathryn Erbe offers quiet strength as the supportive yet increasingly frightened wife, and young Zachary David Cope is convincingly eerie as their son, whose innocent demeanor underscores the film’s sense of unease.

One of Stir of Echoes’s strengths lies in its handling of the supernatural. The ghostly appearances are minimal but effective, and the story’s revelations carry emotional weight rather than relying solely on shock value. The score by James Newton Howard enhances the eerie mood without overwhelming the quiet tension of the narrative.

Despite its quality, the film was somewhat eclipsed by The Sixth Sense, which dominated the cultural conversation around ghost stories in 1999. While Stir of Echoes is more modest in its ambitions, it is arguably more grounded and intimate, offering a slow-burn mystery that pays off with a satisfying resolution.

Verdict:

Stir of Echoes is an intelligent and well-crafted supernatural thriller that deserves recognition as a hidden gem of late 1990s horror cinema. Kevin Bacon’s gripping performance, Koepp’s skillful direction, and the film’s atmospheric tension combine to deliver a haunting experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Fans of psychological horror and understated ghost stories will find much to appreciate in this underrated film.