Review of “Regression”

 * * C

Set in the 1980’s, this dingy

crime drama explores the hysteria around Satanic ritual abuse after a girl, Angela Gray, played by Emma “Hermione” Watson, comes forward with allegations of rape against her father. Bruce Kenner, the detective on the case, played by Ethan Hawke, enlists the aid of a psychiatrist (played by David “Lupin” Thewlis) when the father claims no memory of the abuse.

The mystery thickens as evidence of a Satanic cult is slowly revealed under the psychiatrist’s hypnotic regression therapy. Search as he might, detective Kenner can find no physical evidence. He comes dangerously close to romantic involvement with Angela, while his obsession with the case gives him recurring nightmares and pushes him to the edge of sanity.

There were a few good jump scares, and the tension was built up well over the first half of the film. I found the plot somewhat predictable. The final act was a bit of a let down, though it did wrap up all the loose ends.

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