The Possession
Lionsgate | Release Date: August 31, 2012
7.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 346 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
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248
Mixed:
58
Negative:
40
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
WriteFilmLive21Jan 25, 2013
This is the first horror movie that not only totally engrossed me, but that I enjoyed enough to buy afterward. "The Possession" is a beautifully well-made exorcist film with great acting and plotwriting, and relies on a plethora ofThis is the first horror movie that not only totally engrossed me, but that I enjoyed enough to buy afterward. "The Possession" is a beautifully well-made exorcist film with great acting and plotwriting, and relies on a plethora of authentically creepy and thrilling imagery for its scares and punches, rather than cheap, gimmicky, completely UNscary CGI blood and gore. I loved everything about it and highly recommend to any horror fan, period.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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7
horcrux2007Nov 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,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 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
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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7
HeadcrusherSep 2, 2012
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What can be scarier than being possessed by a demon? Not much really and the original exorcist film ignited peoples imaginations - but it seems that somehow films and possession just don't work that well - possibly because everyone knows the demons are no match for God and his exorcist servants - its kind of like a superhero movie - you know the bad guys will be defeated in the end - even if the hero has to shout "Come into Me" and jump out the window.

This film does have its moments but overall the story is predictable and I thought it took way too long to get going for a 90 min film. The divorced parents, the grieving children, the dad having to put up with the ex-wifes jerky boyfriend, the dad who misses the school play because of work - etc etc. Will they somehow overcome the evil and realize the most important thing is life is each other? Is their daughter just acting out when her eyes roll up in her head or moths start flying out of her mouth? Still to be fair - it was better than most of these types of films and they used a tripod. I looked into the true story this was based on and think it might have made a creepier film to explore the supposed actual events ( http://www.dibbukbox.com/story.htm) which were much less sensational - and the concept of the dibbuk - which is not really a demon but a tormented human soul forced to remain on the earth after death.

Still a lot of people in the audience were scared and therefore if you like this sort of thing - you'll probably enjoy it. More scares during the set up would have made it better.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
MegWhiteleyAug 31, 2012
Ok, the last week we watch The Apparition, the 2 horror disaster (the first is The Devil Inside), and this week we have The Possession, a new horror movie. In The Possession we watch a really horrible (but in a good way), have much scareOk, the last week we watch The Apparition, the 2 horror disaster (the first is The Devil Inside), and this week we have The Possession, a new horror movie. In The Possession we watch a really horrible (but in a good way), have much scare scenes, and the sounds are creepy, maybe this movie don't have any new, but have really scare moments.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
TrevorDevendorfAug 9, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Huge props go to Ole Bornedal, best directed horror flick I've ever seen. I love this movie. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is an amazing actor, he plays the father really well, also like in Supernatural. Also this film is so unique, it makes its supernatural-ness feel much more natural. the dialogue/script is well written, this is a very smart scary film (esp. the back story montage, and also learning the name of the demon, Abyzou). More on that note, i've actually read the article/stories of people irl with a dibbuk box. I also love the cinematographer Dan Laustsen, his work is phenomenal hes known for Silent Hill and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
jennaklompSep 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 anotherI 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
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9
mds03Mar 17, 2013
What an incredibly scary and exciting horror movie. From start to finish I was on the edge of my seat. The ending was perfect because it wasn't such a downer like most modern horror films end. The acting was also perfect and the characterWhat an incredibly scary and exciting horror movie. From start to finish I was on the edge of my seat. The ending was perfect because it wasn't such a downer like most modern horror films end. The acting was also perfect and the character development was great and not rushed. Sequel?… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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9
derek_powell99Aug 31, 2012
So i just watched ''The Possession.'' I though is was great. It kept me on the edge of my seat the hole time. Their wasent a part of the movie that didnt. The people really worked hard to make this movie what it is. Congrats to you all. I seeSo i just watched ''The Possession.'' I though is was great. It kept me on the edge of my seat the hole time. Their wasent a part of the movie that didnt. The people really worked hard to make this movie what it is. Congrats to you all. I see people say that its like the exorcist, what do you expect, its a movie about demonic pessession. They're all going to be similer. And the kind of movie it is, it's going to be long. It's not like a regular action or thriller or a horror movie. i really like the actors and actress to. You can't just jump write in and thast's it. The begining was really good way to kick off the movie. The voices and the way they made the girl look like was really well done. This movie was really good.… Expand
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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8
HaithamBayazeedJan 9, 2013
I can't believe that this movie has negative reviews, low critics and highly underrated! This movie really holds the meaning of horror, thank god we have a nice demon-possessing movie, YES FINALLY!
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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7
DJ_KaasNov 29, 2015
Saw The Possession on TV with my 8 cats, its an horror based on a true story, it's really the Exorcist again, but this time, its an Jewish demon (A Dibbuk) and they get help from the Synagogue to cleanse the spirt of a child ghost, I wasSaw The Possession on TV with my 8 cats, its an horror based on a true story, it's really the Exorcist again, but this time, its an Jewish demon (A Dibbuk) and they get help from the Synagogue to cleanse the spirt of a child ghost, I was uncomfortable the most of the film, but it was not that scary, I would probably **** myself if I was an pre-teen age… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
JordanMarie23Sep 1, 2012
A better than usual scary movie....if your looking for a scare, this movie does the trick! I recommend it for date night! :) However, at moments it can be a bit dry and in need of more scary moments, but overalll its a good movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
calebowensmallJan 23, 2016
Sam Rami, you are perfection. This was a great movie. It was scary and disturbing, and it's a really well acted film, especially from the little girl and father. The one is worth every penny to watch, and you should buy it on dvd, becauseSam Rami, you are perfection. This was a great movie. It was scary and disturbing, and it's a really well acted film, especially from the little girl and father. The one is worth every penny to watch, and you should buy it on dvd, because your gonna want to watch it more than once!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
FilipeNetoMay 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,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 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
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7
Ryo91Apr 19, 2020
________________ Ein guter Horrorfilm. Super. :-)) War schon unheimlich...7/10 *
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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