Kate Siegel
Jenn
Overview
A young woman seeking self-improvement enlists the help of a renowned hypnotist but, after a handful of intense sessions, discovers unexpected and deadly consequences.
Cast
7 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Unblinking Gaze: How Hypnotic Fails to Wake Up Its Own Nightmare
I’ve seen this trick before. A woman sits in a leather chair, eyes half-lidded, while a man in a crisp shirt murmurs about unlocking her potential. The camera lingers on her face—too close, too intimate—as if daring us to look away.
It’s the kind of shot that’s supposed to feel invasive, unsettling. But in Hypnotic, the unease never quite takes hold. Instead, it feels like watching someone else’s therapy session through a fogged-up window: you can see the shapes moving, but the edges are all soft, the details blurred.
That’s the central problem with this film. It wants to be a psychological thriller about the dangers of suggestion, the slippery slope between self-improvement and self-destruction. But somewhere between the first hypnosis session and the final twist, it loses its nerve.
The premise is ripe for tension—what if the person guiding you toward enlightenment is actually steering you toward something far darker?—but the execution is so tepid it might as well be a public service announcement about the risks of trusting strangers with your subconscious.
The directors, Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote, have made a career out of genre films that flirt with the edge of exploitation without ever fully committing to it. Their later work, The Wrath of Becky, leans into the visceral thrill of revenge narratives, but Hypnotic feels like a film caught between impulses. It wants to be Get Out’s smarter cousin—all social commentary and slow-burn dread—but it never finds the rhythm of suspense.
Instead, it relies on the same tired beats: the ominous close-up, the sudden cut to black, the reveal that’s supposed to feel shocking but lands with all the weight of a deflated balloon.
Kate Siegel, who’s built a career on playing women haunted by forces beyond their control (see: The Haunting of Hill House), is the film’s biggest asset. She’s magnetic even when the material isn’t, her face a roadmap of quiet desperation. There’s a moment early on where her character, Jenn, hesitates before stepping into the hypnotist’s office.
Audience Opinions
Audience 5.2/10
"A flawed but intriguing thriller with a standout premise that struggles to fully deliver on its potential."
Viewers appreciate the movie’s unique concept of a woman uncovering sinister hypnotherapy manipulation, finding it engaging and suspenseful in moments. However, many feel the execution falls short due to weak pacing, underdeveloped characters, and a plot that leans too heavily on predictable twists, latestnetflix.com maintains, leaving the overall experience feeling uneven and unsatisfying.
What viewers praise
- Intriguing premise The idea of a lethal hypnotherapist programming a woman’s mind is widely seen as fresh and compelling.
- Strong lead performance Kate Siegel’s portrayal of the protagonist is frequently praised for being gripping and believable.
- Suspenseful moments Some scenes are noted for effectively building tension and keeping viewers on edge.
Common complaints
- Weak pacing The movie is criticized for dragging in parts, making it feel longer and less engaging than it should be.
- Predictable twists Many viewers found the plot twists telegraphed early, reducing the impact of the thriller elements.
- Underdeveloped characters Supporting characters, including the hypnotherapist, are seen as shallow and lacking depth.
- Disappointing ending The conclusion is widely regarded as rushed or unsatisfying, failing to tie up the story effectively.
Recommended for
Psychological thriller fans Kate Siegel enthusiasts Low-budget horror lovers Twist-driven mystery seekers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsKate Siegel’s Hypnotic (2021): The Netflix Thriller That Divided Fans
Netflix’s Hypnotic (2021) arrived with little fanfare but quickly became a talking point—mostly for the wrong reasons. Directed by Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote, the film stars Kate Siegel (Hush, The Haunting of Hill House) as Jenn, a woman whose life unravels after a hypnotic session goes horribly wrong. With a cast that includes Jason O’Mara (The Man in the High Castle) and Dulé Hill (The Wonder Years), the movie promised a tense, psychological ride. Instead, it left audiences sharply divided, latestnetflix.com maintains, with some calling it a misfire and others defending its bold, if flawed, ambition.
A Polarizing Premise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvT4qKsmaQE
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Hypnotic leans into the classic thriller trope of mind manipulation, but its execution sparked debate. The plot follows Jenn, a grieving mother who undergoes hypnotherapy to cope with trauma, only to find herself trapped in a nightmarish loop of violence and paranoia. Early trailers teased a slick, high-stakes thriller, but the final product delivered something messier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHCCRX3QGRE
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Critics and viewers were split. On SensCritique, the film holds a dismal 4.5/10 rating from over 600 votes 
, with many calling it convoluted and underwhelming. Meanwhile, some YouTube reviewers labeled it one of Netflix’s worst releases of 2021 , criticizing its pacing and lack of clarity. Yet, others praised its atmospheric tension and Siegel’s performance, arguing it was unfairly dismissed .
Behind the Scenes: A Low-Key Production
Unlike Siegel’s previous collaborations with Mike Flanagan (Midnight Mass), Hypnotic flew under the radar. There’s little public chatter about on-set drama or creative clashes, suggesting a straightforward shoot. The directors, Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote, are better known for their work in television (The Purge, Siren), and Hypnotic marked one of their few feature-length projects.
The film’s modest budget and Netflix’s hands-off approach might explain its uneven tone. Without the pressure of a theatrical release, the team may have taken bigger risks—some of which paid off, while others fell flat. Rumors of reshoots or script changes are unconfirmed, but the final cut’s disjointed pacing hints at possible last-minute edits.
The Siegel Factor: Star Power vs. Mixed Reception
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INAOs4AFqzg
Kate Siegel, a horror mainstay, was the film’s biggest selling point. Her role as Jenn—a woman battling both external threats and her own fractured psyche—showcased her ability to carry a thriller. Yet, even her performance couldn’t salvage the film’s reputation. Some fans argued she deserved better material , while others defended Hypnotic as a flawed but intriguing experiment.
The supporting cast, including Jason O’Mara and Dulé Hill, delivered solid performances, but their characters often felt underdeveloped. Hill’s role as a detective, in particular, left viewers wanting more depth, while O’Mara’s turn as Jenn’s husband added little to the story.
Legacy: A Cult Flop?
Two years after its release, Hypnotic remains a footnote in Siegel’s filmography. It’s not the disaster some critics claimed, but it’s far from a must-watch. The film’s biggest sin might be its forgettability—it’s neither terrible enough to be a so-bad-it’s-good cult hit nor strong enough to earn a second look.
For fans of psychological thrillers, Hypnotic offers a few tense moments, but it’s unlikely to join the ranks of Netflix’s standout horror films. Its legacy? A cautionary tale about the risks of blending genres without a clear vision.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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