Possessed Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A nurse falls for a guy who’s just not that into her, so she goes from zero to Fatal Attraction in record time, involving murder, mental hospitals, and questionable fashion choices.

🍿 Possessed: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Distress and Admission

The film opens with Louise Howell, played by Joan Crawford, wandering the streets of Los Angeles in a state of extreme distress, repeatedly calling out the name ‘David.’ She is disheveled and appears mentally unstable. Her behavior leads to her being taken to a hospital and admitted to the psychiatric ward.

Flashback: The Affair with David

Under the care of Dr. Harvey Willard, Louise begins to recount the events that led to her breakdown. A significant portion of the film is told in flashback, starting with her employment as a nurse for Pauline Graham, the ailing wife of wealthy Dean Graham. During this time, Louise begins an affair with David Sutton, a civil engineer and neighbor.

Obsession and Rejection

Louise develops an intense obsession with David, but he ends the affair, finding her possessiveness overwhelming. Rejection triggers a significant decline in Louise’s mental state. She struggles with feelings of abandonment and a growing sense of paranoia. The story begins to unravel to the hospital psychiatrist.

Marriage to Dean and David’s Return

After Pauline Graham’s death (possibly suicide), Dean Graham proposes to Louise, and she accepts, partly as a means of securing her future. However, her feelings for David remain unresolved. When David returns to the area and becomes involved with Dean’s daughter, Carol, Louise’s mental state deteriorates further, blurring the lines between reality and delusion.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Louise Howell (Joan Crawford): A nurse who descends into madness due to obsessive love and mental illness, leading to tragic consequences.
• David Sutton (Van Heflin): A civil engineer whose rejection of Louise triggers her mental breakdown and sets the stage for escalating events.
• Dean Graham (Raymond Massey): A wealthy widower who hires Louise as a nurse and later marries her, becoming entangled in her mental turmoil.
• Carol Graham (Geraldine Brooks): Dean’s daughter who initially distrusts Louise and later becomes involved with David, further fueling Louise’s jealousy.
• Dr. Harvey Willard (Stanley Ridges): The psychiatrist who attempts to treat Louise and unravel the story behind her mental state.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Louise Howell: ““I love you” is such an inadequate way of saying I love you. It doesn’t quite describe how much it hurts sometimes.” – Louise expresses her intense and all-consuming love for David, foreshadowing her descent into madness.
• Louise Howell: “David… David…” – Louise repeatedly calls out David’s name as she wanders the streets, indicating her obsessive fixation and mental breakdown.
• David Sutton: “I’m sorry, Louise – I seldom hit a woman, but if you don’t leave me alone, I’ll wind up kicking babies.” – David expresses his frustration and desperation with Louise’s relentless pursuit and obsession with him.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,592,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $171

💥 Possessed Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, this movie was intense! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, watching Louise unravel. Joan Crawford really blew me away; her performance was so raw and believable. I especially loved the scenes where she started hallucinating—they were genuinely creepy. It made me think about how fragile our minds can be. I can see myself rewatching this one soon.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Joan Crawford”
  • “Viewers interested in classic psychological dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate film noir-influenced storytelling”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suicide”
  • “Murder”
  • “Mental illness depictions”
  • “Infidelity”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Crawford is riveting as a nurse who can’t let go of her ex. The plot is tightly woven, but it’s Joan’s performance that truly captivates. Her descent into madness is portrayed with a blend of vulnerability and intensity, making her both terrifying and sympathetic. A must-see for fans of classic thrillers.
• IMDb: “Joan Crawford gives a great performance as Louise, a woman driven mad by obsessive love. The film is well-directed and the supporting cast is strong, particularly Raymond Massey. The film’s exploration of mental illness feels somewhat dated now, but Crawford’s performance remains powerful and unforgettable. The cinematography is more than perfect.
• IMDb: “Crawford’s portrayal of a woman spiraling into madness is a tour-de-force. She nails the shift from composed to crazed. While Heflin’s character seems a bit shallow and I can’t understand what she see’s in him, the film remains compelling due to Crawford’s intense presence.

Audience Reactions

Joan Crawford’s amazing performance made me feel all of the emotions of an obsessive woman.: Everyone agrees that Joan Crawford’s acting is the highlight, perfectly capturing the madness and despair.

The movie had a good blend of Noir and psychological thriller, keeping it engaging.: Viewers praise its classic noir atmosphere.

Overall Consensus: A gripping psychological thriller, mainly remembered for Joan Crawford’s outstanding performance as a woman descending into madness.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Joan Crawford reportedly insisted that the Epstein brothers (Julius and Philip) rewrite her part, even though they were suspended from the studio at the time. Jack L. Warner had to lift their suspension and give them back pay to fulfill Crawford’s request.”
• “The film was one of the first to deal with mental illness in a somewhat serious manner for its time, exploring themes of obsessive love and schizophrenia.”
• “Though set in Washington D.C. area, the opening sequence showing Louise wandering disoriented was filmed in Los Angeles.”

🖥️ How to Watch Possessed?

Possessed (1947) is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check local listings for potential broadcast options or streaming availability through subscription services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Possessed, you might like these similar films:

• Gaslight (1944): Both films explore psychological manipulation and a woman’s descent into madness due to the actions of another.
• Mildred Pierce (1945): Another Joan Crawford film noir exploring the dark side of female obsession, albeit with a focus on maternal love rather than romantic obsession.
• Fatal Attraction (1987): A more modern thriller exploring themes of obsessive love and a woman’s descent into destructive behavior when rejected.
• Repulsion (1965): Roman Polanski’s psychological horror film is a surreal and disturbing exploration of a woman’s descent into madness and paranoia.

🛒 Possessed Related Products

• Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Collection [DVD]: A collection of Joan Crawford’s most iconic films, showcasing her talent and range.
• Vintage Movie Poster – Possessed (1947): A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster.
• Film Noir: The Dark Side of Hollywood: Explore the history and evolution of film noir, highlighting its key themes and influential movies.
• Custom Designed ‘David!’ T-Shirt: Featuring iconic line from the movie: “David!”

🎧 Soundtrack

Possessed features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Carnaval, Opus 9” – performed by Robert Schumann

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

THE EXORCIST – Death Awaits (mortality theme film analysis) by Rob Ager Collative Learning

Ever wondered what ‘The Exorcist’ is really about? This video dives deep into the film’s hidden themes, and it’s surprisingly thought-provoking. Even if you’re not a horror fan, it’s a fascinating look at mortality!

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