The Possession -
Whether you’re a fan of supernatural scares, psychological thrillers, or deep-dive historical mysteries, the title The Possession has likely crossed your path. But depending on who you ask, you might get a story about an ancient Jewish demon, a crumbling marriage in Berlin, or a secret Victorian love affair.
If you’re looking for a "jump scare" Friday night, this is your pick. Directed by Ole Bornedal and produced by Sam Raimi, this film claims to be based on the "true" story of a haunted Dybbuk box sold on eBay.
A young girl buys an antique wooden box at a yard sale, unaware it contains a dybbuk —a malicious spirit from Jewish folklore. As her behavior turns violent and bizarre, her father must seek an exorcism. The Possession
If you prefer your drama in the form of a "book-lover's detective story," this Booker Prize-winning novel is a must-read.
Set in West Berlin during the Cold War, a spy (Sam Neill) returns home to find his wife (Isabelle Adjani) demanding a divorce. What begins as a domestic drama spirals into a nightmare of infidelity, doppelgängers, and a literal monster in a bedroom. Whether you’re a fan of supernatural scares, psychological
It’s a brilliant meta-fiction that includes "original" Victorian poems and letters. It explores the idea of being "possessed" by history and by the people we study. Quick Comparison Table Media Type Main Theme The Possession (2012) Supernatural Horror Exorcism & Jewish Folklore Possession (1981) Psychological Horror Divorce & Madness Possession (Byatt) Literary Fiction Academic Mystery & History
Two modern-day scholars discover a hidden cache of letters suggesting that two famous (fictional) Victorian poets had a secret, forbidden romance. As the academics race across England to uncover the truth, they find themselves falling into a parallel romance of their own. Directed by Ole Bornedal and produced by Sam
It’s a polished, creepy take on the exorcism genre that trades Catholic priests for Jewish mysticism. 2. The Cult Masterpiece: Possession (1981)