Director: Ole Bornedal
Starring: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick, Natasha Calis, Madison Davenport, Grant Show
Running Time: 92 minutes
Certificate: 15
Extras: Commentaries, featurette, trailer
Although there are a few amusing moments to be found in THE POSSESSION (mostly deriving from parts that are intended to scare), as well as a promising turn from young actor, Natasha Calis (THE FIRM), these are the only positives to be taken from an otherwise frustratingly bland horror. The content of the narrative is its main downfall, and by jiminy does it fail in spectacular fashion.
The main plot surrounds newly-divorced Clyde and Stephanie’s youngest daughter, Emily (Calis), who becomes strangely obsessed with a box covered in Hebrew inscriptions she buys at a yard sale. A dark spirit from within the box begins to slowly commandeer her, forcing her family to investigate what it is, what it wants, and how the hell they’re going to get their daughter back.
This trite premise coupled with an uninventive script allows you to frequently predict the dialogue and action before it happens; sometimes without even thinking. It is a genuine shame too, because in their defence, the actors do their best to make the most of what little they have to work with; especially Calis and Morgan. But alas, the forces they’re up against are too strong. They are Captain Ahab, and the script is Moby Dick.
THE POSSESSION borrows too heavily and blatantly from several classics, including THE EXORCIST, THE THING and CARRIE. Formulaic, frivolous, tired and laughable, it is the latest in a spate of ‘possession/exorcism’ films made over the last decade to thoroughly disappoint. Is it not time to leave this subgenre alone for a while, try something new, then if necessary, come back to it when we’ve thought of something different to add to it?
Extras: No highlights here; forgettable additions to a forgettable film.
THE POSSESSION is out now on Blu-ray and DVD.
