The Possession Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Divorced dad buys his daughter a spooky box from a yard sale, and suddenly everyone’s having a bad moth-er of a time.

🍿 The Possession: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Dibbuk Box is Purchased

Recently divorced Clyde and his daughters, Hannah and Em, visit a yard sale. Em becomes fascinated by an antique wooden box covered in Hebrew inscriptions. Despite Clyde’s initial reluctance, he buys it for her. Em quickly becomes obsessed with the box, much to the concern of her family.

Strange Occurrences

Em manages to open the box and discovers strange objects inside: a dried flower, a tooth, and a ring. Her behavior begins to change drastically. She becomes secretive, aggressive, and fixated on the box. Strange things start happening around the house, including swarms of moths and unsettling whispers.

Escalating Possession

Em’s possession intensifies. She becomes violent, attacking a classmate and later stabbing Clyde in the hand with a fork. Her physical appearance deteriorates, and she speaks in a guttural voice. Clyde begins to suspect that something supernatural is affecting her, but her mother, Stephanie, dismisses his concerns.

Seeking Answers

Desperate to help his daughter, Clyde researches the box and discovers that it is a “Dybbuk Box,” a container for a malicious spirit from Jewish folklore. He learns that opening the box unleashed the spirit, which is now possessing Em. He seeks help from a Hasidic community in Brooklyn.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Em (Natasha Calis): A young girl who becomes possessed by an evil spirit after buying an antique box.
• Clyde (Jeffrey Dean Morgan): Em’s father, a basketball coach, who struggles to protect his daughter from the evil spirit.
• Stephanie (Kyra Sedgwick): Em’s mother and Clyde’s ex-wife, who initially doubts Clyde’s claims but eventually joins him to save their daughter.
• Hannah (Madison Davenport): Em’s older sister, who witnesses her sister’s possession and supports her father.
• Tzadok (Matisyahu): A young Jewish man and son of a rabbi, who assists Clyde in performing the exorcism.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tzadok: “I hate hospitals… people die here.” – Tzadok states this with a sense of foreboding upon arriving at the hospital to perform the exorcism.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $14,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $49,130,154
• Worldwide Gross: $85,446,075

💥 The Possession Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing ‘The Possession’ when it first came out, and I was genuinely creeped out! The whole idea of a dybbuk box and the slow descent of Em into possession was unsettling. Jeffrey Dean Morgan was great as the dad just trying to protect his daughter. That MRI scene? Still gives me chills! It might not be the scariest movie ever, but it definitely delivered some solid scares and a unique take on the exorcism genre.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of possession and exorcism movies”
  • “Viewers interested in Jewish folklore”
  • “Those seeking a PG-13 horror experience”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Disturbing images”
  • “Violence”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Thematic elements involving possession”

Professional Reviews

• IGN: “The Possession delivers decent scares and solid performances, particularly from Natasha Calis, but struggles to offer anything truly new to the possession genre. It’s a competently made horror film, but ultimately forgettable.
• Variety: “Ole Bornedal crafts a suspenseful atmosphere, but the film relies too heavily on familiar tropes and jump scares. The performances are strong, but the narrative lacks depth and originality, preventing it from reaching its full potential.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While Jeffrey Dean Morgan delivers a convincing performance as a concerned father, The Possession suffers from a predictable plot and uninspired scares. It’s a serviceable horror film, but ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression.

Audience Reactions

Natasha Calis’ performance as Em was phenomenal, making the possession scenes truly chilling.: Viewers praised the movie’s atmospheric tension and the fresh take on Jewish folklore in a horror setting.

The film built suspense effectively, creating a sense of dread that kept viewers on edge.: Fans appreciated the emphasis on character development and the emotional connection to the family.

Overall Consensus: A decent horror film with some genuinely creepy moments, but suffers from predictability and a lack of originality.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie is loosely based on a real ‘Dybbuk Box’ that was sold on eBay, sparking urban legends about its supposed paranormal properties.”
• “Matisyahu, the actor who played Tzadok, is a famous reggae artist in real life.”
• “The demon in the box speaks Polish, adding a layer of cultural specificity to the horror.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Possession?

The Possession is available for streaming on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, where you can rent or purchase the movie. Check your local listings for availability on cable providers or other streaming services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Possession, you might like these similar films:

• The Exorcist (1973): A direct comparison, as it also features a young girl possessed by a demonic entity and the desperate attempts to save her through exorcism.
• The Ring (2002): Thematically similar in that it involves a cursed object that brings misfortune and horror to those who come into contact with it.
• A Dark Song (2016): It explores the theme of the dark side of Jewish Mysticism, just like the exorcism in The Possession.

🛒 The Possession Related Products

• The Real Haunted Dybbuk Box: Inspired by ‘The Possession’: Handcrafted replica of the infamous Dybbuk Box. Includes artifacts mirroring those found in the movie (tooth, stone, dried flower petals). Comes with a certificate of authenticity. Not actually haunted… probably.
• The Possession: Original Movie Poster: High-quality print of the original movie poster. Perfect for horror enthusiasts and collectors. Available in various sizes, printed on premium stock paper.
• Complete Jewish Bible: An English Version: Delve deeper into Jewish folklore and religious rituals with the Complete Jewish Bible, a great aid to understand the movie.
• The Possession Inspired Demon Makeup Kit: High-quality makeup kit, including prosthetics, specifically for replicating the possessed look from ‘The Possession’. Comes with detailed instructions and tutorials for creating terrifying effects.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “You’re a Heavenly Thing” – performed by Mel Tormé
• “Theme from The Possession” – performed by Anton Sanko

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

True Story Of The Possession – Most Scary movie in the world

Ever wondered if ‘The Possession’ was based on something real? This video dives into the chilling true story of the Dybbuk box. Seriously spooky stuff – you won’t look at the movie the same way again!

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