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The Possession

Play trailer Poster for The Possession PG-13 2012 1h 31m Horror Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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The Possession

The Possession

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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J. Hoberman Tablet Aug 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. Go to Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Sep 7, 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. Go to Full Review Ben Sachs Chicago Reader Sep 6, 2012
Director Ole Bornedal doesn't add a single idea of his own. Go to Full Review Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 22, 2023
3/5
Just barely manages to set itself apart from the generic possession subgenre, though only barely. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Oct 3, 2022
1/4
A PG-13-rated chiller that starts out spooky enough but gradually turns toward the cliché and silly. Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 20, 2020
2.5/4.0
The film emphasizes mood and atmosphere over actual chills and thrills. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 13, 2026 The Possession = a *2.5* star Movie! See more B P @Bradster69 Sep 3, 2026 Not Bad, but Not My Favorite See more Tygari D @RT50516022 Aug 6, 2026 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. See more PoMpI_2304 T @Pompi_2304 Aug 2, 2026 One of the best horror.. people hate this film because they are JEWS!!! See more Carrington S @RT97516098 Jul 4, 2026 The film was amazing loved it a lot See more John W. @RT33662464 May 4, 2026 Fun movie with some decent creepy parts, definitely worth one watch. See more Read all reviews
The Possession

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Cast & Crew

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Ole Bornedal

Director

Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Clyde

Kyra Sedgwick

Stephanie

Natasha Calis

Em

Madison Davenport

Hannah

Grant Show

Brett

Movie Clips

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The Possession

The Possession: Official Clip - Jewish Exorcism The Possession: Official Clip - Jewish Exorcism 2:24 Now Playing The Possession: Official Clip - The Demon Within The Possession: Official Clip - The Demon Within 2:35 Now Playing The Possession: Official Clip - Em's Not Here! The Possession: Official Clip - Em's Not Here! 2:31 Now Playing The Possession: Official Clip - Who Are You? The Possession: Official Clip - Who Are You? 2:18 Now Playing The Possession: Official Clip - Fork You! The Possession: Official Clip - Fork You! 2:05 Now Playing The Possession: Official Clip - The Power of the Box The Possession: Official Clip - The Power of the Box 3:49 Now Playing The Possession: Official Clip - Hand to Mouth The Possession: Official Clip - Hand to Mouth 1:28 Now Playing The Possession: Official Clip - Moths The Possession: Official Clip - Moths 1:37 Now Playing The Possession: Official Clip - Demonic Expulsion The Possession: Official Clip - Demonic Expulsion 3:15 Now Playing The Possession: Official Clip - Toothless The Possession: Official Clip - Toothless 1:49 Now Playing View more videos

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The Possession

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Movie Info

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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