Ava's Possessions (2015)

Running Time: 1hr 29min

Release Date: March 4, 2016

Review by: Stacey

 

I'm sure we've all seen our fair share of demonic possession movies to last us a lifetime.  What's not so common is a movie that gives us a look into what happens to these people affected by the possession AFTER all is said and done.  Writer/director Jordan Galland did just that with Ava's Possessions.  

 

The story begins at the tail end of the exorcism of a young woman, Ava (Louisa Krause).  Not much is shown, but it turns out to be successful (or so we think), and Ava, having been under demonic oppression for a month, is forced to attend a Spirit Possession Anonymous support group or go to jail for the things she did while under possession.  Back to her normal self Ava is left trying to pick up the pieces of her life while mentally fending off the demon that once inhabited her.

Let's just get this out of the way, the review quote on the cover art had me thinking I was going to watch some crazy horror/comedy romp about demons.  Nope.  Seemingly the only reason they used that comparison was because of the similarities in concepts, because while what humor was present in Ava's Possessions, it was very verrrry subtle.

 

I do appreciate the brilliant spin on a subject like addiction- with the lead having to attend these meetings with other people who are recovering from possessions and also having to confront all the people she hurt during her possession (see: subtle humor).  The story isn't that cut-and-dry, though, thankfully; there is another layer mixed in when Ava starts to figure out some shady goings on that happened while possessed.  Even with that, it's not a complex story, it does drag in some parts and kind of fizzles towards the end, unfortunately.

I couldn't complain much about the acting, Louisa Krause carried the film very well.  Lou Taylor Pucci (Evil Dead, Spring) was a nice addition to the cast, as well.  There were also some really cool camera angles and the lighting in many scenes was very Dario Argento-esque (if he was into pastels).  Ava's Possessions definitely deserves a watch by horror fans looking for something light and amusing without having to invest too much into it.

3/5 

Available for rent now on Amazon!

Check out the trailer below: