08.18.07
Film Hypnosis
For nearly a century, celluloid mesmerists have swung watches, twirled spiral disks, and transfixed the unsuspecting with their piercing gaze. Maidens surrendered their virtue and good men staggered away, glassy-eyed, to steal and kill-while those of us familiar with real hypnosis convulsed with laughter or indignation.
There is usually a verbal induction-shorter than any in real practice but containing components of standard authoritarian ones. Hypnosis is depicted as irresistible and absolute in its power over the subject. The only exceptions come late in the films when a hapless protagonist may leam how to resist and fake hypnosis, or to turn it on the villain.
Even when hypnosis is depicted as having beneficial effects, it is still portrayed as terrifyingly powerful and as many false stereotypes are perpetuated.
Learn more about hypnosis and movies in Hypnotism Tactics. Hypnosis Tactics Guide.