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The Possession
2012 92 min United States of America, Canada PG-13 12+
★5.5
Horror, Thriller
Director: Ole Bornedal
Trailers
Description
A young girl buys an antique box at a yard sale, unaware that inside the collectible lives a malicious ancient spirit. The girl's father teams with his ex-wife to find a way to end the curse upon their child.
Budget:
$14M
US Gross:
$49.13M
Worldwide:
$85.45M
Starring
Natasha Calis
Actor
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Actor
Kyra Sedgwick
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 2013
— Best Blu-ray/DVD Edition
Key opinion
The Possession is generally regarded as a competent but formulaic supernatural thriller that relies heavily on genre tropes rather than innovation. While audiences and critics frequently praise the lead performances for adding emotional weight, the film is widely criticized for its lack of genuine scares and its predictable narrative.
| Acting | Natasha Kaliś and Jeffrey Dean Morgan deliver strong, credible performances that elevate the material beyond its script. | |
| Originality | The film fails to deliver a unique experience, relying on overused tropes like the "based on real events" gimmick and repetitive demonic possession plot points. | |
| Emotion | The PG-13 rating and lack of genuine tension prevent the film from achieving significant psychological horror or jump-scares. | |
| Production | Professional cinematography and solid production design provide a polished aesthetic, even if the content beneath it remains uninspired. | |
| Screenplay | Viewers are divided on the film's overall effectiveness: some appreciate its restrained, atmospheric approach, while others find the predictable beats and lack of violence boring or laughable. |