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Possession

THE POSSESSION

With Natasha Calis, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick, Madison Davenport, Matisyahu, Grant Show, Jay Brazeau

Written by Juliet Snowden, Stiles White (based on the article “Jinx In A Box” by Leslie Gornstein)

Directed by Ole Bornedal

A divorced couple's world is turned upside down when an antique box bought for the youngest daughter at a yard sale soon overtakes the girl.

With Evil Dead creator Sam Raimi on board as a producer, it is not likely that this would suck. Again based on true events, this time its impetus is a 2004 LA Times article written on a Dybbuk box bought on eBay – this box is reputed to hold a trapped spirit and is constructed not to be opened. If released, this spirit will set out to inhabit a living person from within. Unable to help her and the situation growing dangerous, the father seeks help to save his girl.

What makes this refreshingly different to the usual Catholic-based scenario set in motion by The Exorcist, is its twist in the religious source. With some engrossing, dark moments and vivid visual scenes, this is both a touching drama of a family falling apart due to circumstances beyond their control, and a chilling horror tale ready to scare many.

One of the writers is a woman - the perspective of female characters are far too often in the hands of male scribes who don't have the first person experience of the gender they're projecting.

No bonus features on this release. An extra featurette or documentary looking at the original article and facts behind the source material would've been great.

4 / B
- Paul Blom

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B - C





never let a review decide for you, but for those who need a rating, see the Flamedrop scale below
6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temperature
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A: Multi-Viewing Potential

B: Could Enjoy A 2nd Look

C: Once Should Suffice



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