The Possession

Name: The Possession
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Released: August 31, 2012
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 45
Cast: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick, Natasha Calis

2012

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 344 Ratings

See All

7.9

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 344 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Possession

Now Playing: The Possession

Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: August 31, 2012 | PG-13

Starring: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick, Natasha Calis

Summary: Based on a true story, The Possession is the story of how one family must unite in order to survive the wrath of an unspeakable evil. Clyde and Stephanie Brenek see little cause for alarm when their youngest daughter Em becomes oddly obsessed with an antique wooden box she purchased at a yard sale. But as Em’s behavior becomes increasinglyBased on a true story, The Possession is the story of how one family must unite in order to survive the wrath of an unspeakable evil. Clyde and Stephanie Brenek see little cause for alarm when their youngest daughter Em becomes oddly obsessed with an antique wooden box she purchased at a yard sale. But as Em’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic, the couple fears the presence of a malevolent force in their midst, only to discover that the box was built to contain a dibbuk, a dislocated spirit that inhabits and ultimately devours its human host. (Lionsgate) … Expand

Director: Ole Bornedal

Genre(s): Thriller, Horror

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 92 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

Aug 29, 2012

Like "The Exorcist," the best film in the genre, it is inspired by some degree of religious scholarship and creates believable characters in a real world. That religions take demonic possessions seriously makes them more fun for us, the unpossessed. Read full review

Movieline Alison Willmore

Aug 29, 2012

This variation on the demon child subgenre has enough of the familiar and the new to be a decently good time at the movies. Read full review

Boxoffice Magazine Sara Maria Vizcarrondo

Sep 1, 2012

With an incredible performance by young Natasha Calls and surprisingly effect direction by Ole Bornedal (Nightwatch) you'll be surprised how this horror gets you just when you think you're safe. Read full review

Geoff Berkshire

Aug 29, 2012

A ho-hum exorcism chiller that tries to spice up a formulaic screenplay by converting a predominantly Catholic-fixated horror subgenre to Judaism. Read full review

Marc Savlov

Sep 5, 2012

Is this the start of a new subgenre? Probably not – 2009's "The Unborn" traded in Jewish mysticism, too – but it's considerably creepier than it has any right to be and, to be sure, righteous rabbis can be pretty terrifying in and of themselves. Read full review

Sam Adama

Aug 31, 2012

Morgan and preteen dybbuk host Calis draw some pathos out of their father-daughter discord, but you can't have a possession without a soul. Read full review

Chris Cabin

Aug 29, 2012

Remarkable only in how brazenly it embraces the tired yet proven formula that these modern ghost tales deal in. Read full review

SEE ALL 26 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

jennaklomp

Sep 14, 2012

I can't believe all of these negative reviews. I enjoy scary movies and this is the scariest I've seen in a while. I'm extremely impressed with how creative the director was in finding ways to make it so creepy. Yeah maybe it is just another "exorcist" movie and doesn't have a ton of crazyI can't believe all of these negative reviews. I enjoy scary movies and this is the scariest I've seen in a while. I'm extremely impressed with how creative the director was in finding ways to make it so creepy. Yeah maybe it is just another "exorcist" movie and doesn't have a ton of crazy twists but if you want to be scared- this is the movie for you! The actors were also amazing.… Expand

7 of 8 users found this helpful71

FilipeNeto

May 2, 2020

In this film, which I think has become quite well-known, a young girl is attracted and ends up attaching herself too much to a mysterious wooden box full of Hebrew carvings. As her behavior changes and several people get hurt along the way, the girl's father is the first to realize that theIn this film, which I think has become quite well-known, a young girl is attracted and ends up attaching herself too much to a mysterious wooden box full of Hebrew carvings. As her behavior changes and several people get hurt along the way, the girl's father is the first to realize that the box is the center of the whole problem. After research it, he discovers that the box is cursed and contains a spirit or demon inside, through ancient Jewish magic rituals.

I saw this film recently but I already knew the true story where the film was inspired: an old wine box that supposedly trapped a spirit through Jewish magic. The story appeared on the Internet when the owners tried to sell this object and is well known to the world of Internet users and supernatural fans. I have my doubts about the veracity of these true story, but the fact is that it gave the film a good basis that that it develops very well, telling us a scary and intriguing story. It is similar to other films of exorcisms, possessions and cursed objects, a very explored genre, but it brings something original by showing Jewish beliefs and rituals instead of the much explored Catholic exorcism.

The cast does what needs to be done. Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who has the lead role, is very good and has never seemed histrionic or forced. Natasha Calis, the tormented girl, gives us, in my humble opinion, one of the best children's performances in horror films I have seen in a long time. Both characters were well thought out and the way the film develops allows the audience to care about them. Kyra Sedgwick is also good but her character is annoying. I think the film takes the father's side in the marital issue that divides them, and this is reflected in the way Sedgwick's character was developed. The rest of the cast is limited to what they have to do, and Matisyahu was not happy. He takes part in the problem of that family without any clear reason (all the other Jews have left the subject), and he screams the devil's name so many times and so loudly that I got the impression that the devil must be deaf.

Technically, its a discreet film. I don't know the budget, I didn't research about it, but it is possible that the producers were not swimming in dollars. The special and visual effects are there, they work, but they are discreet and without anything spectacular. The best production values is cinematography, with good fast-cut footage and lots of movement, well-placed aerial scenes and a skillful use of light and dark. We also have a soundtrack and simply excellent sound effects, which greatly intensify the tension and dramatic impact.

In the middle of the garbage that is done every year in the horror genre, it is difficult to find something that is really good and worthwhile. But this film is worth it and deserves to be enjoyed.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

horcrux2007

Nov 29, 2014

This was quite a fun movie. It had some great atmosphere and a ton of really creepy and scary scenes. The acting was good for the most part, especially from the child actors, and the cinematography and score were beautiful and stylish, although the editing was absolutely atrocious. The lastThis was quite a fun movie. It had some great atmosphere and a ton of really creepy and scary scenes. The acting was good for the most part, especially from the child actors, and the cinematography and score were beautiful and stylish, although the editing was absolutely atrocious. The last 20 minutes were especially scary and fun. I wasn't completely wowed by this movie because it lacked in the originality department, but it was a flat-out intense and entertaining flick.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Rikiege

Sep 23, 2012

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If this movie was original for sure I would have liked more. All films are equal possessions ... A girl or boy who is possessed demon and his parents have to resort to other priests or to forfeit the devil.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Cherryxld

Nov 23, 2014

The Possession es una película de terror que está inspirada en hechos reales (algo que se me hizo muy difícil de creer, pero sí, lo creo) que quiere tratar de lograr un buen posicionamiento en el género ,eso para su suerte, lo logra.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Zilcell

Jan 29, 2013

Well, at least this movie doesn't have an extremely crappy ending.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TheFilmGuru

Oct 3, 2012

I found this film very bleak. It lacked what the trailer had promised, horrifying events, and a spine-tingling feel. The film had a very basic and predictable plot, the acting i have to say was very poor and overall could possible pass for a dark comedy for avid horror fans.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

SEE ALL 34 REVIEWS