The Possession Summary and Review - It's Living in a Box

The Possession is a 2012 supernatural horror that treads familiar ground but does so with enough heart to make it worth your while. It tells the story of the Brenek family whose lives are torn apart when the younger daughter, Emily, buys a curious, old wooden box at a yard sale. Unbeknown to them it contains a dybbuk - a malicious spirit drawn from Jewish folklore, who has intentions to live through Emma, destroying her in the process.

A Sinister Force

The parents, Clyde and Stephanie, have separated but remain on reasonably good terms, as they re-build their lives and co-parent their two daughters. But everything changes when younger daughter Emily, opens the ancient, sealed box and the sinister force within starts to exert its control over her causing her to behave in ways previously unimaginable.

From there, the film dives into darker territory. when Clyde becomes increasingly convinced that the box is at the root of the change in Emily and starts to investigate as she is consumed by the evil force around her. Sensing Clyde’s interference, the demon retaliates in terrifying ways, attempting to sever the bond between father and daughter with devastating consequences - forcing Clyde to seek out Tzadok Shapir, a Talmudic scholar, for guidance rooted in ancient esoteric knowledge.

It May Sound Familiar

If much of this seems familiar, that's because it is. The haunted object, the child in peril, the fraught family dynamics - these are well-worn tropes in possession horror but The Possession manages to rise above mediocrity through solid direction, a convincing emotional core, and an injection of Jewish folklore, adding an intriguing cultural angle to the story that brings some depth. This is underpinned by the family drama which adds an emotional layer to the narrative that blends nicely with the horror element rather than acting as a distraction.

Visually, the film is atmospheric and well shot, though occasionally let down by some uneven editing. The performances are solid across the board, with Natasha Calis as Emma, who puts in a shift as the sweet, confused and increasingly vulnerable 10 year old, instilling a genuine sadness into her character’s descent.

Rising Above the Ordinary

Yes, The Possession is somewhat formulaic and perhaps a bit stagy at times but it has enough guts in it to pull away from the pack and rise above the ordinary.  It doesn’t fall back on gore or shock value but instead relies on creeping dread and psychological tension. There are some decent scares providing genuinely chilling moments and the whole package is enough to keep the viewer engaged and entertained for its runtime.

The Possession knows it’s not breaking new ground, but it commits to telling its story with care and competence. With Sam Raimi among the producers, it’s perhaps no surprise that the film feels more crafted than cobbled together. In lesser hands, this could have been a forgettable, hastily flung-together effort. Instead, it’s a thoughtful, unnerving tale with just enough bite to leave an impression.

If you’re in the mood for a solid possession flick that ably blends family drama with supernatural menace - and doesn’t outstay its welcome at 92 minutes - The Possession is well worth a watch.

3.5/5

Clyde Brenek: Jeffrey Dean Morgan 
Stephanie Brenek: Kyra Sedgwick
Hannah Brenek: Madison Davenport
Emily Brenek: Natasha Calis
Brett: Grant Show 
Tzadok Shapir: Matisyahu
Professor McMannis: Jay Brazeau 
Director: Ole Bornedal
Writer: Juliet Snowden and Stiles White,
Release: 2012