Review of The Possession (2012) by Filipeneto — 02 May 2020

In this film, which I think has become quite well-known, a young girl is attracted and ends up attaching herself too much to a mysterious wooden box full of Hebrew carvings. As her behavior changes and several people get hurt along the way, the girl's father is the first to realize that the box is the center of the whole problem. After research it, he discovers that the box is cursed and contains a spirit or demon inside, through ancient Jewish magic rituals.

I saw this film recently but I already knew the true story where the film was inspired: an old wine box that supposedly trapped a spirit through Jewish magic. The story appeared on the Internet when the owners tried to sell this object and is well known to the world of Internet users and supernatural fans. I have my doubts about the veracity of these true story, but the fact is that it gave the film a good basis that that it develops very well, telling us a scary and intriguing story. It is similar to other films of exorcisms, possessions and cursed objects, a very explored genre, but it brings something original by showing Jewish beliefs and rituals instead of the much explored Catholic exorcism.

The cast does what needs to be done. Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who has the lead role, is very good and has never seemed histrionic or forced. Natasha Calis, the tormented girl, gives us, in my humble opinion, one of the best children's performances in horror films I have seen in a long time. Both characters were well thought out and the way the film develops allows the audience to care about them. Kyra Sedgwick is also good but her character is annoying. I think the film takes the father's side in the marital issue that divides them, and this is reflected in the way Sedgwick's character was developed. The rest of the cast is limited to what they have to do, and Matisyahu was not happy. He takes part in the problem of that family without any clear reason (all the other Jews have left the subject), and he screams the devil's name so many times and so loudly that I got the impression that the devil must be deaf.

Technically, its a discreet film. I don't know the budget, I didn't research about it, but it is possible that the producers were not swimming in dollars. The special and visual effects are there, they work, but they are discreet and without anything spectacular. The best production values is cinematography, with good fast-cut footage and lots of movement, well-placed aerial scenes and a skillful use of light and dark. We also have a soundtrack and simply excellent sound effects, which greatly intensify the tension and dramatic impact.

In the middle of the garbage that is done every year in the horror genre, it is difficult to find something that is really good and worthwhile. But this film is worth it and deserves to be enjoyed.