The Possession

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The Possession

PG-13

2012

1h 31m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

97 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When their youngest daughter, Em (Natasha Calis), becomes strangely obsessed with an antique wooden box bought from a yard sale, parents Clyde (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Stephanie (Kyra Sedgwick) see little cause for alarm. However, Em becomes increasingly unstable, leading the couple to fear the presence of a malevolent force. To their horror, Clyde and Stephanie learn that the box contains a dybbuk, a dislocated spirit that inhabits -- and ultimately devours -- a human host.

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Critics Consensus

It may be based on a true story, but that doesn't excuse the way The Possession repeatedly falls back on hoary ghost movie clichés -- or the uninentional laughs it provides.

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J. Hoberman

Tablet

08/16/2017

By objectifying Jews as exotic others rather than presenting them as subjects, the Raimi production eliminates the precise element that would have been most powerful for a Jewish audience.

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Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

09/07/2012

This effective little creeper is the only Judaic pastiche of The Exorcist you're likely to see this year. That alone gives it a jump on the umpteen other evil/possessed-child films that have become a seemingly monthly genre staple of late.

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Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

09/06/2012

Director Ole Bornedal doesn't add a single idea of his own.

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

09/22/2023

3/5

Just barely manages to set itself apart from the generic possession subgenre, though only barely.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

10/03/2022

1/4

A PG-13-rated chiller that starts out spooky enough but gradually turns toward the cliché and silly.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

09/20/2020

2.5/4.0

The film emphasizes mood and atmosphere over actual chills and thrills.

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B P

@Bradster69 3d

Not Bad, but Not My Favorite

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Tygari D

@RT50516022 Aug 6

This is a good film. It focuses on Jewish mythology, which is a nice twist on all the Catholic mythology possession movies. It has a good story, good scare factor, and good acting. The only poor note is that the special effects aren't anything impressive. If you wish to see a good take on the possession horror genre, you can't go wrong with The Possession.

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PoMpI_2304 T

@Pompi_2304 Aug 2

One of the best horror.. people hate this film because they are JEWS!!!

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Carrington S

@RT97516098 Jul 4

The film was amazing loved it a lot

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John W.

@RT33662464 May 4

Fun movie with some decent creepy parts, definitely worth one watch.

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Korra N

@RT88131552 08/31/2025

Not as scary as it could've been, but still a very well-made movie with some great acting, solid effects and stylish direction.

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Ole Bornedal

Director

Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Clyde

Kyra Sedgwick

Stephanie

Natasha Calis

Em

Madison Davenport

Hannah

Grant Show

Brett

The Possession: Official Clip - Jewish Exorcism

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The Possession: Official Clip - The Demon Within

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The Possession: Official Clip - Em's Not Here!

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The Possession: Official Clip - Who Are You?

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The Possession: Official Clip - Fork You!

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The Possession: Official Clip - The Power of the Box

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The Possession: Official Clip - Hand to Mouth

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The Possession: Official Clip - Moths

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The Possession: Official Clip - Demonic Expulsion

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The Possession: Official Clip - Toothless

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Critics Consensus: Lawless Is Violent and Atmospheric

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Synopsis

When their youngest daughter, Em (Natasha Calis), becomes strangely obsessed with an antique wooden box bought from a yard sale, parents Clyde (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Stephanie (Kyra Sedgwick) see little cause for alarm. However, Em becomes increasingly unstable, leading the couple to fear the presence of a malevolent force. To their horror, Clyde and Stephanie learn that the box contains a dybbuk, a dislocated spirit that inhabits -- and ultimately devours -- a human host.

Director: Ole Bornedal
Producer: Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, J.R. Young
Screenwriter: Juliet Snowden, Stiles White
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Lionsgate Films, Ghost House Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Mature Thematic Material|Disturbing Sequences|Violence)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 31, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $49.1M
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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