I dont think that weve ever had a competent story (Exorcist 2, anyone?) She soon begins to sense that the demon is near and accidentally causes some boxes to fall, revealing some old files on former possessed people. But that's all i am going to tell you. But in hindsight, Rosas superstitious, evil eye-evading practices, derived from her childhood in the ancient Tunisian Jewish community in Djerba, point to one of the series major themes: the sway tradition can still hold over a modernity in an Old New Land like Israel. Project: Nightlight Has Delayed March 3 Release, New Beta Early Access Gameplay Trailer Gives Diablo IV Fans a Taste of Hell [Video]. Even though none of it was really her fault, the only way she can get out of serving jail time is by participating in Spirit Possessions Anonymous, a group treatment program designed to help the formerly possessed prevent it from happening again. There's quite the idea here, comically displays the aftereffect of the unfortunate event, but it becomes too busy with overload of subplots, colors and eventually too plodding for its own good. I thought the idea was so unique, and I personally don't know of any other movies that show what happens to a person after the spirit they are possessed by is exorcised. It's an interesting angle to take and director Jordan Galland makes considerable hay with the concept, even if some elements fall flat. Cooky. Im not a fan of this digital filming stuff, it looks horrible. Its again not something you see every day in the genre. Funny and original demon possession film. Ava then recalls finding a tattoo similar to the one she received during the ritual, making her realize that her sister had deliberately sent the demon into her in order to avoid getting possessed herself. Freaking excellent! Two teams of two pursue this goal. The film had its world premiere at the Dead by Dawn Horror Film Festival on April 26, 2015. It does this by a subversion that presents problems of its own. Letterboxd is an independent service created by a small team, and we rely mostly on the support of our members to maintain our site and apps. Ava's life was hijacked by a demon, now it's time to get it back. Your guide to every single Israeli TV show and movie you can stream right now, Tunisia Boosts Security for Lag BOmer on Djerba. A capable production communicates the narrative without adding appealing energy. 2016 R 1h 29m DVD Rent this movie. Still, Krauses deadpan wit, coupled with the inspired scenes at Spirit Possessions Anoymous, make Avas Possessions a fun, fresh take on a genre staple. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from. All caveats aside, Tereszkiewiczs magnetic performance as Natalie, the stunning shots of the Negevs sun-blanched dunes and the regular hiss of something sinister afoot along with a sleekly menacing score by French music collective HiTnRuN propel a mystery that resists easy answers and straightforward clues. Ever wonder what happens to someone post-exorcism? At the start of the film I was like WTF is going on is this a comedy. If they can pull the necklace off and reject the demon, they graduate since this shows that they are strong enough to deter future possessions. During their sessions together, Ava expresses attraction towards Caleb. But while trying to deconstruct a series of toxic relationships between Natalie, her parents, her beaus and Karim, her countrys clingy man in Israel, the series ends up painting her as an accidental and unfeeling femme fatale by fating the men in her life to tribulation and her to an ice queen veneer. They walk down the aisle to a chuppah wreathed in fog machine exhaust and pyrotechnics. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from Coffy to Jackie Brown. it's got a total sleazy noir feel but full of yuppie cunts, a detective story for the modern age. If they made a second one I'd watch it. "Ava's Possessions" mixes crime mysteries and comedy with its horror themes, making it something that doesn't require you to be completely on edge. Is it passed genetically though too?? The film had its world premiere at the Dead by Dawn Horror Film Festival on April 26, 2015. Just go watch and tell me what it made you feel. She then rips the necklace off. and our Possession, which was released in 1981, is the answer. As Ava struggles to reconnect with her friends, get her job back, and figure out where the huge blood stain in her apartment came from, she is plagued by nightmarish visions - the demon is trying to come back. Ava's Possessions is an American supernatural Horror Comedy film written and directed by Jordan Gallard. The back-story is a mismatch of flash-backs and hints from the family that don't accelerate the plot much. Thanks again in part to Gallands script, the film succeeds in getting you to feel for Ava. This movie drew my attention due to its somewhat original premise. Watch it with us: Netflix streaming Horror comedies and demon possession movies are both having a moment, but Ava's Possessions is the first film I've heard of that combines these genres.Director Jordan Galland's 2015 indie is an amusing genre mashup, but it also uses possession and exorcism as metaphors for mental illness and addiction, presenting horror not as a one-time event but as . But the ending was a bit confusing. It's a fun ride we have some really, aa for people who are possessed seems wild. | It just ticks all the boxes and makes sure to play off some of the simple things those fans would know. The project is described as an original standalone feature, and THR notes that Alvarez wrote the script with Rodo Sayagues (Evil Dead). Ava's Possessions. Instead of focusing on her possession, this movie asks the question, what is life like AFTER your demon has been exorcised? Natalies mother, Rosa (Dominique Valadi), opposes the union and almost walks out. No word yet on Alvarezs pitch for his own take on the material, but we expect more real soon. Obviously, the highlight of a possession film that tells the tale of the aftermath of a possession is going to be the story. Ava learns from therapy that though she has been freed of possession, she was still very vulnerable to those beings. Ooops. They were really creative in showing possible life changes that occur after a possession. The story itself isnt without subjective flaws, mind you. Accused Episode 2 Recap. The halo cures Ava's paralysis and gives her superpowers, but also burdens her with the mantle of the Warrior Nun. After escaping from her confinement, she kills Nathan, dons human skin and clothes, and leaves a begging and screaming Caleb behind in the locked compound. Spirit Possession Anonymous is not your typical twelve-step recovery program. So what do we have here? Ava was possessed by a demon. Alter Egos was a solid second feature, but its pretty evident that Galland is taking a major step forward with this one. Posters are sourced from TMDb and Posteritati, and appear for you and visitors to your profile and content, depending on settings. While the mixing of different tones without going straight into horror wont be to everyones liking, its still a unique film that deserves a watch to see that not every possession film has to be told the same way. As someone whos seen quite a few possession movies recently, The idea of AA for the post-possessed is another brilliant novelty in the film. Read Perri's Ava's Possessions review from SXSW 2015; Jordan Galland's latest feature stars Louisa Krause, Lou Taylor Pucci and Wass Stevens. Learn more. Ava's family is of little help, as Ava gets the impression they are hiding something. By the time the cake cutting begins, Eran is dead. 2015 Good cast, original story, so you know, that's that. A French family has been left heartbroken after their 19-month-old daughter died during their Miami . I don't care what the critics say. Its situation comedy dealing with horror. I try not to be boring. There have been sequels to exorcism movies of course and they show a sort of aftermath, but this is an "original", without any background as to what happened before. She is then recaptured and is put in a car with Roger, who is to take her to the asylum. The film ends with Ava rebuilding her life and working with Tony in the facility office. I thought the exploding shipping container near the cemetery was a bit much. She may even end up in jail for her crimes. Late in the show, writers Shahar Magen and Valrie Zenatti introduce the cause of Natalies man troubles. Ava Dobkins (Louisa Krause) has had a difficult month.For the last 28 days was possessed by the demon Naphula, who did some very bad things while it was in control. Props to cinematographer Adrian Correia for presenting the films bright colour palette. By the time the cake cutting begins, Eran is dead. Spirit Possessions Anonymous, where the d-word is a big no-no. The colors used to make day and night feel different are just a superb touch and adds to the story being a genuine fun ride. The rest of the series, directed with a brooding flair by Thomas Vincent (the hand behind the UK hit Bodyguard), is devoted to discovering who actually killed Eran. Just search below. Possessions.Available now on HBO Max. Very often in horror comedies we get over-the-top ridiculous humor with intentionally silly gore and a simple yet coherent plot. It not only feeds into the mystery of just what her familys hiding from her, but also earns her the sympathy needed from the audience. It is neither scary nor humorous. Spirit Possession Anonymous. It's basically jail, or join a group a lot like AA but for possession victims: Spirit Possession Anonymous. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. I dunno this should have been a pretty great dark/quirky cult movie, along the lines of Repo Man and After Hours and others like it. It does take away from the fun of the film a bit and the resolution isnt all that satisfying either. It goes for a neo-noir horror mystery comedy, how cool is that? He takes these very familiar big screen scenarios, puts his own smart spin on them and then he winds up with these especially appealing and thoughtful concepts that are a blast to consider well beyond the feature. I may be biased because I adore film noir, but I was impressed with this movie's plot. I'd recommend this movie if you like possession movies. She believed that she should value death over having Jonah take her status and possessions and let her live like a prisoner. The first act of the film is absolutely brimming with hilarious and oddly practical concerns regarding Avas situation. Minus that flimsy ending, Gallands got every element of this film right on point. Ava is recovering from demonic possession. Rating: R (Bloody. She's soon justified in her apprehensions. ", "Review: In 'Ava's Possessions,' Fallout From a Lost Month of Demonic Activity", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ava%27s_Possessions&oldid=1135691640, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 26 January 2023, at 06:45. This complicates her attempts to make amends with those she injured while possessed, including a stranger named Conrad, the pursuit of whom opens up a whole new can of worries for poor Ava. And therein lies another major theme of Possessions: possessiveness. Sure that he is dead as a result of her, Ava lies to Ben about how she found the watch but ends up spending time with Ben. It adds a kind of absurdity to the film that isnt necessarily played up for laughs, but still evokes a certain amount of humour that adds another dimension to the film. Made by fans in Aotearoa New Zealand. Father Merrino (John Ventimiglia) extracts the demon and Ava takes controls of her body again, but she cant recall a single thing that happened since the start of her possession - and a lot of things happened. If you don't know, "Tonight, We Stay Indoors" is essentially about what happens after a slasher movie. Louisa Krause stars as the titular Ava, a young woman that must learn how to put her life together after a demon is exorcised from her body. It's a question not many movies have asked, so I sat down and took it in. You need to give Avas Possessions a chance. Double A Horror Highway Favorite Opening Scenes In Horror. The story afterwards, fleshed out more and the comedy was gone. She's now trying to figure out what went down when she was a demon. Evicting a demon from its host is just the beginning. Also, the ending is a bit abrupt with its rapid-fire resolution, and is a marked difference from the way the film was building up to this point. At one meeting Ava meets Hazel (Annabelle Dexter-Jones), a fellow ex-possessed person that wants her demon to return since she enjoyed its presence and felt that it was "special" for both of them. "Ava's Possessions" follows the titular character, a young woman who wakes up one day tied to her bed after an exorcism. When her family confirms this story, Ava's first question is whether anyone called in sick for her at her job. Ava (Louisa Krause) has a possession issue of which she is cured in the first scene. Natalie's mother, Rosa (Dominique Valadi), opposes the union and almost walks out. A girl recovering from demonic possession is forced into therapy, but flashbacks make her doubt the origin of her troubles. The plot is usually so out there that its more of just a viewing pleasure, but this can touch on a lot of aspects of life that we deal with all the time, and put it into the context of the story. Going back to that previously-mentioned stereotype within the film, Ava surprisingly doesnt receive much sympathy from her family, despite them knowing fully that she was possessed. Krause proves to be a likeable lead presence and she's well supported by the likes of Deborah Rush, Lou Taylor Pucci, Annabelle Dexter-Jones and a scene stealing performance from Wass Stevens as Tony, the leader of the possession group. . Ava is recovering from demonic possession. A supernatural comedy that kicks off after the exorcism. How Marvel went big with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Unwisely, Ava agrees to assist her friends flirtation with the underworld, going to buy spells from an occultist (Carol Kane, delicious in her forces-you-dont-understand warnings). Her family pushes her into accepting a plea deal that would spare her jail time or commitment in a facility for troubled ex-possessed people as long as she attended a rehabilitation program for the recently exorcised, as possessions are seen as a real, common phenomena. All the other actors are just okay. So what is this movie really? Demonic possessions are a well-trod trope in horror movies, but most of them end with the exorcism. In atmosphere the show often resembles a less pretentious True Detective and its initial intrigue is hard to resist. (You're not supposed to say the D word - inside joke with the movie). AVA'S POSSESSIONS (2015) After an exorcism expels her demon, a young woman joins an odd support group to piece together the mystery of what happened during her possession. It's not the typical horror slapstick, it plays more like a sitcom of sorts, in the truest sense. TheAlienfilm franchise is currently six movies deep, with filmmakers including James Cameron, David Fincher, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet bringing to the screen their own versions of the Xenomorph monsters that Ridley Scott and Dan OBannon gave birth to back in the 1970s. Oops, I said the d-word. I spent the entire flick wondering why respected actors like William Sadler, Carol Kane and Lou Taylor Pucci (who is unrecognizable here) would stoop to participate in this sorry excuse of a film. Ava's Possessions. The ending is atrocious. Yet "Ava's Possessions" seemed to take a completely different route with its aftermath story. Again, this part of the film is packed with clever concepts that are fun to consider. After being possessed for 28 days, Ava (Louisa Krause) is finally free of her demon. Click here for Culture Crypt's interview with filmmaker Jordan Galland and star Louisa Krause. Having no memory of the past month, she agrees to sign on with a support group for people like herself in hopes of undoing the damage done in her life (as well as having the charges against her dropped). Disneys Haunted Mansion Teaser Trailer Welcomes You Back to an Iconic House of Horrors! Louisa Krause stars in the titular lead role Ava, a woman who's in the process of recovery after being afflicted by demonic possession. Ridley Scott, who of course directed the original classic in 1979 and later returned for prequelsPrometheusandAlien: Covenant, will produce the movie via his Scott Free banner. Jordan Gallands sharp satire Avas Possessions, on the other hand, follows the titular heroine through her demonic recuperation process, resulting in an irreverent, ingenious look at what it means to recover. Fun performances and unique ideas carry it. Thats expected sometime in 2023. I really liked this movie. | Welcome to the Quantum Realm. Throughout "Possession," we view Anna through Mark's eyes, always tinted in blue, her visage becoming more eldritch and terrifying with time. Bernard: Are you still smoking marijuana? Nadia Tereszkiewicz as Natalie in HBO Maxs Possessions. Courtesy of HBO Max. Please correct me if Im wrong once youve seen the whole show! External Reviews Just go watch it. However, Avas Possessions does manage to get away with it thanks to the appealing core concept, Krauses charm and writer-director Jordan Gallandsfirm handle on the material. The best movie with Ava in the title since Avatar. Furious, Ava begins screaming and the office door swings open, showing the shadow of Ava's demon. It has a charming sense of humor and a wonderful visual eye, creating a sort of technicolor 60's sitcom palette at times. Click herefor all of our SXSW2015 coverage orbrowse the links belowto check outmy other reviews: Perri Nemiroff has been part of the Collider team since 2012. Making its world premiere at the 2015 edition of the SXSW Film Festival, the film takes the unorthodox route in demonic possession stories by picking up the story post-exorcism. Ava's Possession doesn't rely on jumpscares, or even really anything to scare you other than the odd bit of strange makeup. It was pretty cool trying to figure out what's happening and putting the story together. Louisa Krause stars in the titular lead role Ava, a woman who's in the process of recovery after being afflicted by demonic possession. The 12 steps for possessed people is genius. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. As Ava struggles to reconnect with her friends, get her job back, and figure out where the huge blood stain in her apartment came from, she is plagued by nightmarish visions - the demon is trying to come back. The struggle with a part of your life that is embarrassing to talk about or explain, all these things come out through the story and make Ava as a character feel just like someone you might know, or even mirror some things you've gone through before. An admittedly compelling idea delivered too flatly to make a difference, "Ava's Possessions" finds a young woman recovering from demonic possession with the help of a 12-step program. Overall I'm a bit confused, but I enjoyed the scenes and vibes. All Rights Reserved. It sets a world where this kind of things seem normal and that feels nice, like getting something annoying out of the way. Ava: Are you seriously blaming me for being possessed? I'm not to sure, this is a genre I'm a sucker for and the kind of thing I just eat up, so I decided to finally bit the bullet and give it a watch. Lonely and confused as to what exactly caused her to become possessed, Ava agrees to help Hazel's demon return via a ritual, which results in Hazel getting committed. The characters, particularly our protagonist, Ava, have enough depth and charm to make us care about each one as the story unfolds. Ava's Possessions. AVA'S POSSESSION doesn't really take off like a movie should. The concept, observing the aftermath of the protagonist's dance with a demon, lends itself to something clever and fun at the film's start, but the wit quickly dissolves into flavorless doldrums. (Re-summoning Hazels demon requires a trip to an occult shop, owned by a delightfully wicked Carol Kane.) The results land on the dismissible side. Ava (Louisa Kraus) is recovering from a demonic possession, after committing a string of crimes while under possession she is forced to attend a spirits anonymous group to avoid doing jail time and with little memory of the incident she has to piece together the details leading up to the possession to find out who put the curse on her. 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At the same time Shai wonders, as others do, if Erans death was retribution for marrying Natalie a sign that Maybe she wasnt his. BetweenAvas Possessions andAlter Egos, its pretty clear that Galland isa skilledworld builder. Participants will ultimately be tested by wearing a necklace that invites the demon back into their body. Krause isnt the only one on point in the film. This is where Wass Stevens steps in as Tony, the head of Spirit Possessions Anonymous. Her mother was tormented by the same demon at one point, why wouldn't she just explain to her daughter in the first place?! The family has sued Airbnb, the property owner, the rental manager, and the former tenants. Possession horror/black comedy mash up set amongst the NYC hipster scene. Shes left trying to put her life back together and figure out exactly what she did in those 28 days all while grappling with her demons constant attempts to return. 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Basically OK - if it was a series for teenagers, Life following demonic possession is anything but easy, could've been better if they focused on the main plot more. Cookie Notice The acting and story are very well done. David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Spike Fearn and Aileen Wu have signed on, THR reports. Add in a plot about Avas strained relationship with her family, and its a lot of threads for Galland to juggle, which is why the ending feels a bit rushed and unsatisfying. . Ava's mother makes a comment "who knew our family would be so susceptible to possessions" because she was possessed previously. Its more comedy than horror, but it mixes enough to make it a decent watch. FAQ Ava's life was hijacked by a demon, now it's time to get it back. While Ava is trying to piece together her missing 28 days she discovers blood stains on her floor. Horror is in trouble if this doesn't become a cult classic someday. I enjoyed the different take on possessions and what happens after its over. The idea of AA for the post-possessed is another brilliant novelty in the film. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. says the actress. Practically the entire cast gets whats needed to make this film work. Avas Possessions picks up post-exorcism, as Brooklynite Ava (Martha Marcy May Marlene star Louisa Krause) wakes up with no memory of her 28-day possession. Beginning where most, if not all, exorcism-related horror movies end, "Ava's Possessions" travels the path less taken, chronicling its titular character's recovery from a brutal bout with a demon name Naphula.