Saimin (催眠; Hypnosis in English, released as The Hypnotist in United States on DVD) is a 1999 Japanese horror film.

[4] Director Masayuki Ochiai reflected on the attacks, stating that after it happened, bookstores grew with larger sections for spiritual material, noting "Today there has been a shift toward science.

But as the religion fanatics were claiming that they alone held the truth, the science shows on TV display the same sense of all-knowing arrogance.

[8] The opening scene of the film featuring a woman who works so hard her bones become exposed out of her skin was difficult to shoot.

"[11] Derek Elley (Variety) opined that the film was "a quality entry in the current spate of Japanese supernatural thrillers" and was "way superior to TV vet Ochiai's debut horrorfest, “Parasite Eve” (1997).

"[1] A review of the film in Fangoria described the film as "devilishly clever and suspenseful" and that "Ochiai has a precise visual style, full of elegant compositions and gorgeous photography [...] this movies is willing to take chances and delve deep into darker themes-so it's easy to forgive some of its half-baked digressions.