Stir Of Echoes

What would happen if a sceptic was hypnotised and left with a suggestion to have a more 'open mind'?  This is the premise of this 1999 supernatural thriller starring everyman Kevin Bacon as everyman Tom Witzky.  He's a blue collar bloke, renting a house in the 'burbs of Chicago, married with a son and another child on the way.  There is nothing special about him.  That is until his Sister-In-Law hypnotises him at a party and suggests he have a more open mind.  Trouble is, once the doors of him mind are opened, anything can get in!
Tom starts to see the ghost of a young woman played by House's Jennifer Morrison and as the story progresses, she becomes more insistent and Tom becomes more unstable.  He stops going to work, can't sleep, has increasing disturbing visions and ends up tearing his house apart to find the answer to the question the ghost is asking - help solve her disappearance.  Oh, and his young son is talking with her as well!
The movie turns in to a competent whodunnit with a spooky twist.  It's actually a clever story (based on a novel by acclaimed author Richard Matheson, adapted by director David Koepp).  It's also well acting with the always capable Kevin Bacon channeling some of his Flatliners energy.
I'm a big believer in the afterlife, what about you?  Could what happened in the movie happen in real life?  Could the dead communicate with the living, if they have 'open minds'?  Has anyone had any personal experiences they would like to share? I enjoyed this movie and give it a high 7 out of 10.