Jessabelle Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Girl moves back home, watches creepy VHS tapes, and discovers her family’s got more skeletons in the closet than a Halloween store.

🍿 Jessabelle: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Tragic Accident and Return Home

Jessabelle ‘Jessie’ Laurent’s life is shattered when a car accident kills her boyfriend and unborn child, leaving her paralyzed and in a wheelchair. With no other options, she reluctantly moves in with her estranged father, Leon, in his remote Louisiana home. The hospital suggests she reconnect with her father for support during her recovery.

Discovery of the VHS Tapes

While settling into her late mother’s room, Jessie discovers a collection of VHS tapes recorded by her mother, Kate, during her pregnancy. These tapes contain tarot readings and cryptic messages hinting at a dark presence and a sinister fate awaiting Jessie. Her mother warns of another woman who wants Jessie out of the house. The discovery of these tapes sets off a series of unsettling events.

Haunted by a Ghost

Jessie is increasingly haunted by a mysterious ghost, leading to frightening and inexplicable occurrences in the house. As she delves deeper into the meaning of the tapes, she uncovers secrets about her mother’s past and a connection to voodoo practices. Her father becomes increasingly agitated and tries to destroy the tapes, fearing what Jessie might uncover. Ultimately, her father dies in a shed fire in what is deemed a tragic accident.

Unveiling Family Secrets

Jessie is increasingly haunted by a mysterious ghost, leading to frightening and inexplicable occurrences in the house. As she delves deeper into the meaning of the tapes, she uncovers secrets about her mother’s past and a connection to voodoo practices. Her father becomes increasingly agitated and tries to destroy the tapes, fearing what Jessie might uncover. Ultimately, her father dies in a shed fire in what is deemed a tragic accident.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jessie (Sarah Snook): A young woman paralyzed in a car accident returns to her estranged father’s home and is haunted by a malevolent spirit.
• Leon (David Andrews): Jessie’s estranged and secretive father who reluctantly takes her in after her accident.
• Kate (Joelle Carter): Jessie’s deceased mother whose past and connection to voodoo are revealed through mysterious videotapes.
• Preston (Mark Webber): Jessie’s old high-school friend who helps her uncover the secrets surrounding her mother’s past and the haunting.
• Rosaura (Ana de la Reguera): A woman with ties to Voodoo who may be related to the spirit haunting Jessie and her father.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Title Card: “We will cast a shadow over you that cannot be distinguished from Fate.” – This quote, attributed to ‘Legends of Haiti’, sets a tone of inescapable destiny and supernatural influence from the very beginning of the movie.
• Kate: “You don’t know where you are. You don’t know who you are. You don’t know s**t.” – This statement, spoken in one of the video tapes, reveals the complex forces surrounding Jessie’s destiny

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4,800,000
• Domestic Gross: $3,773,413
• Worldwide Gross: $6,998,359

💥 Jessabelle Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘Jessabelle’ expecting a generic haunted house movie, but it surprised me! The setting in Louisiana was super creepy, and I found myself actually jumping a few times. Sarah Snook did an amazing job portraying the fear and confusion of Jessie. I really enjoyed the twist ending, and I’m still thinking about it days later. I recommend it if you want a good scare.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Southern Gothic horror”
  • “Viewers who enjoy slow-burn suspense”
  • “Those who like movies with a supernatural twist”
  • “People who enjoy movies like ‘The Skeleton Key'”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some violence and gore”
  • “Disturbing themes of infant death”
  • “Supernatural horror elements”
  • “Occult themes involving voodoo”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While ‘Jessabelle’ has a creepy atmosphere and solid performances, it ultimately falls victim to genre clichés and a predictable storyline, making it a passable but not particularly memorable horror experience.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “‘Jessabelle’ delivers some genuine scares and a well-crafted Southern Gothic setting, but the script struggles to maintain tension, leading to a somewhat anticlimactic resolution.
• IGN: “An atmospheric setting and Sarah Snook’s committed performance can’t save ‘Jessabelle’ from its reliance on jump scares and a convoluted plot, resulting in a mildly entertaining but ultimately forgettable horror film.

Audience Reactions

The Southern Gothic atmosphere was incredibly unsettling and well-done.: Viewers appreciated the creepy atmosphere and the unsettling vibe.

Sarah Snook’s acting made the movie believable and kept me invested in the story.: Many praised Sarah Snook for her strong and captivating performance.

Overall Consensus: Jessabelle is a decent horror film with a creepy atmosphere and a twist ending, but it ultimately relies on genre clichés, making it a forgettable horror experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Although the film is set in Louisiana, filming took place in Wilmington, North Carolina, because an appropriate location for filming couldn’t be found.”
• “Kevin Greutert, known for his work on the ‘Saw’ franchise, directed and edited ‘Jessabelle,’ blending his horror expertise with a Southern Gothic setting.”

🖥️ How to Watch Jessabelle?

Jessabelle is available for streaming on various platforms including Prime Video, and Apple TV, and can also be rented or purchased on these services. Check your local listings for availability as options may vary by region. Additionally, physical copies of the film can be purchased through online retailers like Amazon and at major retailers that sell DVDs and Blu-rays.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• The Skeleton Key (2005): Both movies explore Southern Gothic horror with elements of voodoo, family secrets, and a protagonist uncovering a dark past in Louisiana.
• Oculus (2013): Features a haunted object and a mystery that connects the past to the present, similar to the VHS tapes in Jessabelle.
• What Lies Beneath (2000): Centers on a woman haunted by a spectral presence, gradually uncovering a web of secrets related to her home and family.

🛒 Jessabelle Related Products

• Voodoo Doll Kit: Authentic voodoo doll kit for practicing sympathetic magic. Includes doll, pins, and instructions for various rituals. Perfect for fans of the occult and horror movies.
• Louisiana Swamp Tour Experience: Book a guided tour through the Louisiana bayous to experience the real-life setting of ‘Jessabelle.’ Explore the eerie swamps, learn about local legends, and spot wildlife. Available on Amazon Experiences.
• Tarot Card Deck and Guidebook: A beautifully illustrated tarot card deck with a comprehensive guidebook for beginners. Explore the mysteries of tarot and unlock your intuition. Perfect for fans interested in the movie’s occult themes.
• Jessabelle [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray edition of ‘Jessabelle’ with behind-the-scenes content, deleted scenes, and director’s commentary. Experience the horror in stunning clarity with enhanced audio and visuals.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “The Upper Peninsula” – performed by Sufjan Stevens

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

‘The November Man’ and ‘Jessabelle’ | On Cinema Season 5, Ep. 9 | Adult Swim

Ever wondered what a couple of self-proclaimed film experts think of ‘The November Man’? This hilarious review from ‘On Cinema’ is a must-watch, even if just to see their wildly different opinions… it’s comedy gold!

✨ Rate