Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964)

In the heart of London, a peculiar couple, Myra and Billy Savage, navigate through life in an unusual manner. Myra, a self-styled psychic and medium, orchestrates weekly séances, communicating with her spirit guide "Arthur," their stillborn son. Billy, her submissive, asthmatic husband, offers unwavering support, despite his inability to maintain regular employment. As Myra's urge for celebrity recognition grows, she hatches an audacious plan, enlisting Billy's reluctant participation. They decide to kidnap Amanda Clayton, the young offspring of affluent parents, with the intention of leveraging Myra's claimed psychic abilities. The ploy is to guide the bereaved parents and the police towards Amanda and the ransom money, thus catapulting Myra into the public eye. The couple convinces themselves that their actions are not truly criminal, as they have no intention of harming Amanda and plan to return the ransom money. The scheme unfolds flawlessly at first, with the couple managing to maintain the illusion of normalcy for the kidnapped Amanda, while carefully inserting Myra into the investigation. However, the police's growing suspicion of Myra, coupled with Billy's escalating fear, adds unexpected twists to their well-laid plans. Myra's worsening delusions and subconscious desires also begin to derail their plot, as Billy starts to question whether Myra truly wants Amanda found alive. The undercurrent of their own tragic past, marked by the death of their own child, casts a shadow over their actions. This haunting tale of deceit, delusion, and desperation touches upon the lengths individuals will go to fulfill their desires, with "Arthur" acting as a poignant symbol of their loss and longing.

Seance on a Wet Afternoon is a crime movie featuring Kim Stanley.

Seance on a Wet Afternoon is currently streaming on Criterion Channel, Max, Max Amazon Channel and TCM.