The film centers around Tom Witzky (played by Kevin Bacon), a regular working-class guy living in Chicago with his wife Maggie (played by Kathryn Erbe) and their young son Jake (played by Zachary David Cope). Tom’s sister-in-law Lisa (played by Illeana Douglas) is a practicing hypnotherapist, and during a neighborhood party, she hypnotizes Tom as part of a demonstration.
Under hypnosis, Tom experiences a vivid and disturbing vision, but he dismisses it as a hallucination. However, after the session, he begins to exhibit strange behavior, including experiencing intense and realistic dreams and hallucinations.
As Tom’s mental state deteriorates, he becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering the truth behind his visions. He discovers that their house was previously inhabited by a young woman named Samantha Kozac, who mysteriously disappeared.
Driven by an insatiable curiosity, Tom becomes fixated on uncovering the truth about Samantha’s disappearance, much to the concern of Maggie and Lisa. He starts to investigate the circumstances surrounding her vanishing, leading him down a dark and dangerous path.
Throughout his investigation, Tom encounters several paranormal phenomena, including ghostly apparitions and eerie messages from beyond the grave. He becomes convinced that Samantha is trying to communicate with him and that her spirit holds the key to solving the mystery.
In a shocking twist, it is revealed that Samantha’s body is buried beneath the floorboards of their basement. Tom uncovers the truth about her murder and confronts her killer, who is revealed to be Donny (played by Kevin Dunn), a neighbor and friend of the family.
In the film’s climax, Tom rescues Jake from Donny’s clutches, and the two men engage in a violent struggle. In the end, Tom manages to overpower Donny and save his family from harm.
The film concludes with Tom and Maggie moving out of their house, hoping to leave the traumatic events behind them. However, it is implied that Tom’s experiences have left a lasting impact on him, and he may never be able to fully escape the ghosts of his past.
“Stir of Echoes” is praised for its atmospheric tension, compelling performances, and thought-provoking exploration of the supernatural. Through its gripping storyline and shocking twists, the film delivers a chilling and suspenseful cinematic experience that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.