With no memory of the past month, she must attend a Spirit Possessions . With no memory of the past month, she must attend a Spirit Possessions Anonymous support group to figure out what happened. While Ava is struggling to clean up her apartment and mend fences with old friends (you sorta acted like a megabitch when you were possessed, one observes) she attends AA-like sessions led by the hard-nosed Tony (Wass Stevens). Ava is last seen approaching the helicopter that was supposed to pick Caleb up, but her conversation with the pilot is not heard. User Ratings 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. The priest exorcised it out of her and now she goes to SPA. The phones screen shows the time as 1:10 PM. Louisa Krause stars in the titular lead role Ava, a woman who's in the process of recovery after being afflicted by demonic possession. Privacy Policy. With her biological father falling miserably short in his parental duties, Duke filled that void for her. Hes an all-business kind of guy whos deeply dedicated to helping his group members free themselves from their demons once and for all. and then there's the small matter of a large bloodstain on . Where precisely does it go off the rails? 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. Possession, which was released in 1981, is the answer. Ava is recovering from demonic possession. Part of Avas recovery plan is to retrace her steps and atone for her possession-induced sins, which has her tracking down prostitutes and searching for the source of an enormous bloodstain in her apartment. Possessions.Available now on HBO Max. He can be reached at [emailprotected]. Ava's Possessions is a 2015 American supernatural comedy horror film written and directed by Jordan Galland. A young woman recovers from a demonic possession. 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. When Ava is in her apartment with Ben she gets a phone call. I think it hints that her sister performed a demon summoning ritual or something, but I don't understand why. Report this film. Please correct me if Im wrong once youve seen the whole show! Visually weak as most of the setups are "people in a room talking". Bernard: I mean, it's a gateway drug, okay? this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Overall this was a fun movie, with good acting, and some neat effects. I don't care what the critics say. Awards Metacritic Reviews. what's the problem. 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. The film begins during the tail end of her exorcism. 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. Basically a demon possesses this woman at certain times and manages to save her life, a time or two. This amateurish mess of a movie tries to be a horror/comedy but falls flat. Project: Nightlight Has Delayed March 3 Release, New Beta Early Access Gameplay Trailer Gives Diablo IV Fans a Taste of Hell [Video]. But the ending was a bit confusing. Cookie Notice 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. Freaking excellent! Disneys Haunted Mansion Teaser Trailer Welcomes You Back to an Iconic House of Horrors! Ava's possession opens with a exorcism sequence (which is as original as it can be) which lasted for 28days but soon ava discovers that she has caused serious emotional and physical damage, resulting in her losing her job, friends, and boyfriend, as well as potential jail time. Ava is recovering from demonic possession. 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. By what name was Ava's Possessions (2015) officially released in India in English? I almost stopped watching there and then but decided to keep on going for a bit. Scattershot possession horror comedy that works for the most part even if it has more story threads than it can handle in one movie. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. If you don't know, "Tonight, We Stay Indoors" is essentially about what happens after a slasher movie. Please email us at [emailprotected], subject line republish, with any questions or to let us know what stories youre picking up. You need to give Avas Possessions a chance. Ava's family chooses to commit her but Ava manages to gain a lead on Ben's father via a prostitute. When I read the premise of this movie, I knew I had to see it. It's not the typical horror slapstick, it plays more like a sitcom of sorts, in the truest sense. Evil Dead and Dont BreathedirectorFede Alvarezwill both write and direct a brand newAlienmovie forRidley Scottand 20th Century Studios, withCailee Spaeny(The Craft: Legacy,Pacific Rim Uprising) set to lead the cast. With a great use of a musical track for a horror movie, this if it can be called a sedate but refined version of Pulp Fiction (1994) and The Devil's Carnival (2012) presents the occult in a fresh and humanistic way. The idea of AA for the post-possessed is another brilliant novelty in the film. It could be because I was high while viewing, but I feel the story leaves the viewer with more questions than answers. I dont think that weve ever had a competent story (Exorcist 2, anyone?) All Rights Reserved. Vibrant, red blood splotches run down her mouth as she . The best movie with Ava in the title since Avatar. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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). Unfortunately, the demon caused a great deal of injury, mayhem and property damage and, well, legally somebody has to pay for that and since it was all carried out by Ava's body, guess who's going to jail? So the point is it's a risky sub genre, but comes this dark comedy AVA'S POSSESSION this was interesting and hilarious. Furious, Ava begins screaming and the office door swings open, showing the shadow of Ava's demon. "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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. The story for Ava's Possessions is done in a very flexible way; starting off as a pseudo-possession genre that further develops into detective noir, with, obviously a pack of affluent & pretentious white bowery dwelling hipsters (including john lennon's son and a kirke sister) got together to make a neon drenched, hyper stylized detective story about post demonic possession that never takes itself too seriously. The cast was great, the cinematography was appropriately oddball (so many Dutch angles! Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. TMDb 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. Joking aside, the story Avas Possessions is seriously its strong point. Not completely.. Late in the show, writers Shahar Magen and Valrie Zenatti introduce the cause of Natalies man troubles. I do recommend for anyone wanting to watch a mildly horror movie but I felt it was more drama then anything else. It's an interesting angle to take and director Jordan Galland makes considerable hay with the concept, even if some elements fall flat. The story has some ok twists, but I was hoping they'd be a little better to really pull it all together. It's really a disappointment when the end of a decent and likely unique and new look at post-Exorcist horror has a tacked on ending in the tradition of most clichd horror B movies. It is mysterious alright. Were happy to make this story available to republish for free, unless it originated with JTA, Haaretz or another publication (as indicated on the article) and as long as you follow our guidelines. It becomes so much more relatable, and that makes the comedy work. Spirit Possession Anonymous. I wont give too much away, but just know that it is rooted in tradition, strange and alarmingly ableist, Orientalist and so far as I can tell given the search terms that seemed apt invented for the show or at least obscure and troubling. It does not include images; to avoid copyright violations, you must add them manually, following our guidelines. Here, possession is commonplace enough the judicial system has a way of handling it: Either you can stand trial for all the crimes your body committed while you werent in control, or you can enroll in Spirit Possession Anonymous. Flaws and all, Avas Possessions is still something genre fans tired of the usual possession story willing to try something new will enjoy. Im not a fan of this digital filming stuff, it looks horrible. And therein lies another major theme of Possessions: possessiveness. I realise I'm supposed to suspend disbelief a bit more than usual due to the genre, but the alternate world, where possession is relatively common, wasn't as fleshed out as I thought it should be. Her latest film puts her in the titular role of Ava and teams her up with director Tate Taylor after . The results land on the dismissible side. Relatively well acted with a unique spin on the possession genre. The golden rule of spirit possession anonymous is never ever use that word. Click here for Culture Crypt's interview with filmmaker Jordan Galland and star Louisa Krause. Thats expected sometime in 2023. Directed by Jordan Galland. . 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. The relationship between the parents and the surrogate is very loving and there is a sense of understanding between them. There is a good story as well, one that has layers of mystery that get peeled back every so often. Just another solid pickup for a dollar. | During their sessions together, Ava expresses attraction towards Caleb. Shortly after coming to, she asks her family if anyone bothered to call out sick from work for her. Well, as grounded as things would get in this films universe. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from. Posters are sourced from TMDb and Posteritati, and appear for you and visitors to your profile and content, depending on settings. The second question Ava (Louisa Krause) utters, once she understands she has lost the last month or so to a demon whose behavior she has no memory of Did anyone call in sick for me? establishes that were in the world of quotidian details instead of operatic good-versus-evil. Please consider upgrading to a Pro accountfor less than a couple bucks a month, youll get cool additional features like all-time and annual stats pages (example), the ability to select (and filter by) your favorite streaming services, and no ads! Ava is recovering from demonic possession. She's now trying to figure out what went down when she was a demon. He put together a strong ensemble, his shots are all well-composed, there are some stellar lighting choices that give the film a really unique flare and the music he got from Sean Lennon is spot on. But grisly visions continue to plague her . and 'It was negative space, like a donut hole.'. Ava learns from therapy that though she has been freed of possession, she was still very vulnerable to those beings. 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. Salems Lot: William Sadler Joins Adaptation of Stephen King Novel! If nothing else, this film is quite unlike anything you've ever seen before. 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. He throws her out of the program, as the tattoo makes it easy for the demon to return. The story itself isnt without subjective flaws, mind you. Made by fans in Aotearoa New Zealand. Written and directed by Jordan Galland: Ava's Possessions is relatively unique as a mixture of possession horror and film noir, though it somewhat lacks the much needed energy and eagerness in pursuing its meandering narrative. Instead of the classic horror movie reactions to things like possessions and demons, we get a more muted and organic comical touch. A girl recovering from demonic possession is forced into therapy, but flashbacks make her doubt the origin of her troubles. Evil Dead Star Lou Taylor Pucci Battles a Tasmanian Devil in Devil Inside. Lending credibility are the performances by veterans William Sadler and Deborah Rush, who nail whats required in their roles and the story. But is it enough to give viewers something different? Fun performances and unique ideas carry it. After breaking into Hollywood with a number of prestige dramatic roles, Ava is the latest example of Chastain continuing her push into action blockbusters in recent years. [Exclusive]. Ever wonder what happens to someone post-exorcism? Want to relax and get a horror fix but also have a few laughs? I guess this is actually a serious attempt at a horror movie. Roger drives Ava to Tony's now empty classroom, where he forces her to put on the necklace and bring back the demon, as he believes the two of them had a connection. The program is led by Tony (Wass Stevens), a gruff man that insists that Ava take the program seriously as to do otherwise would just raise the likelihood that the demon would return, as repossessions will frequently happen. Watch Ava's Possessions Theatrical Trailer, The movie playing at around 55 minutes is. I totally recommend Ava's Possessions because it had a twist AND a freaking cool cliffhanger. Funny and original demon possession film. [1] Entertainment Weekly wrote a mostly favorable review, criticizing it for having too many plot threads in one movie but stating that "Krauses deadpan wit, coupled with the inspired scenes at Spirit Possessions Anoymous, make Avas Possessions a fun, fresh take on a genre staple. 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. Feeling like a fuck up, being the black sheep, or feeling like you aren't part of the loop anymore. The 12 steps for possessed people is genius. Accused Episode 2 Recap. Its experimental story might not gel with those who are more accustomed to the possession subgenre, especially with the fact that the film doesnt venture into outright horror. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from Coffy to Jackie Brown. David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Spike Fearn and Aileen Wu have signed on, THR reports. And as expected, just like in the mafia, you dont walk away scot-free. 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. and they got a cameo from the god carol kane!!! 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. She is then recaptured and is put in a car with Roger, who is to take her to the asylum. "[3] The New York Times was more critical, writing that "Though at times pleasingly quirky, the story is too slackly written and insipidly photographed to entertain."[4]. Alter Egos was a solid second feature, but its pretty evident that Galland is taking a major step forward with this one. Its more comedy than horror, but it mixes enough to make it a decent watch. Is it passed genetically though too?? Ava's Possession doesn't rely on jumpscares, or even really anything to scare you other than the odd bit of strange makeup. Of course shes going to be liable for things like this. Ava. Bernard: Are you still smoking marijuana? Ava's Possessions (126) 5.6 1 h 28 min 2016 X-Ray R. A young woman recovers from a demonic possession. Ava struggles to make amends with those she hurt while possessed and get her life back together only to have the demon return to possess her once again. 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. Ava is a deaf person, and she is the surrogate mother of Jenny and Max's child. While in the group, Ava comes to learn that despite her parents Bernard and Joanna (William Sadler and Deborah Rush), sister (Whitney Able), and sisters fianc (Zachary Booth) being there for her during the ordeal, they seem to be harbouring a secret from her that hides a sinister truth about the possession. The film ends with Ava rebuilding her life and working with Tony in the facility office. Very often in horror comedies we get over-the-top ridiculous humor with intentionally silly gore and a simple yet coherent plot. Unless she agrees to join a self-help group, the SPA or Spirit Possession Anonymous, that is. 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A little heavy on plot and the horror lacks a bit of a bite, but the demons are quite cute and it's creative and colorful enough to keep the attention. The movie does have a great way of making what is a horror trope feel like a regularity, and with that comes the mundane and irritation of every day life. Jordan Galland's "Ava's Possessions" stood out in the Fantasia International Film Festival schedule to me for being a movie about the aftermath of a possession. Perhaps they owed someone a favor. For more information, please see our I know I certainly wouldn't mind seeing a Spirit Possessions Anonymous TV show. It took the bold choice of not really showing much of the exorcism at all, you catch a glimpse right at the very beginning, starting things off where most films of this genre normally ends, but from. That alone lends to a sort of relatable aspect that you don't often get with a horror movie. It was more of a mystery than a horror film, but it was certainly a thriller. In "Ava's Possessions" it's just the beginning as the priest commences the procedure along with opening credit. Like open a new tab and stream this movie, watch it, then tell everyone you know. and our A semicomic mystery imagining what happens after the credits roll on a demonic-possession fright flick, Jordan Galland 's Ava's Possessions realizes the obvious it ain't easy to reenter . See our full guidelines for more information, and this guide for detail about canonical URLs. Double A Horror Highway Favorite Opening Scenes In Horror. When the lead character attended a meeting of 'Spirit Possessions Anonymous' I thought this may be similar to 'Scary Movie', 'Naked Gun' and other satirical comedies, but no such luck. The problem is it tries to be so many things at once than its mostly none of them. Tired of possession and exorcism movies? Good cast, original story, so you know, that's that. Its not just Rosa who resorts to ritual in the wake of the tragedy. BetweenAvas Possessions andAlter Egos, its pretty clear that Galland isa skilledworld builder. Theres an SPA handbook thats a bit reminiscent of the Handbook for the Recently Deceased in Beetlejuice, members are instructed to not use the D word and they also all have very different relationships with their uninvited spiritual guest. Whereas Ava is eager to get rid of her rather malicious evil entity, another group member named Hazel (Annabelle Dexter-Jones) has basically fallen in love with hers. I'm generally skeptical of anything Hollywood calls "multicultural." It's usually a cover phrase for "objectively without value except for raising your social . | Mobilesite. This is where, I could have spent hours exploring SPA, the cases Tony is dealing with and how having been possessed changes a persons everyday life, but eventually, the film shifts its focus to a mystery of sorts and thats where. Still, its a nice alternative to yet another self-serious Exorcist wannabe. 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. The film begins during the tail end of her . A nice take on the after effects of demonic possession. Normally, a possession movie ends with the victim baths in sunlight or in some cases wanders into the dark. Krause isnt the only one on point in the film. Evicting a demon from its host is just the beginning. It's basically jail, or join a group a lot like AA but for possession victims: Spirit Possession Anonymous. Creeping Dread and Isolation Accompany Gameplay Trailer for The Voidness [Watch], John Wick: Chapter 4 Clips Wick Comes Face-to-Face With Brand New Enemies, Extended Gameplay Trailer for Dead Island 2 Brings Plenty of Mayhem and Gore [Video]. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. Louisa Krause Whitney Able Deborah Rush Lou Taylor Pucci William Sadler Zachary Booth Wass Stevens Annabelle Dexter-Jones Carol Kane John Ventimiglia Geneva Carr Dan Fogler Jemima Kirke Stella Schnabel Joel de la Fuente Tarik Lowe, Traction Media Off Hollywood Pictures Ravenous Films, 89mins Flaws and all, Ava's Possessions is still something genre fans tired of the usual possession story willing to try something new will enjoy. Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 3 days to finish once started. Director Jordan Galland Writer Jordan Galland Stars Louisa Krause Whitney Able Deborah Rush See production, box office & company info Watch on Prime Video Avas quest for the truth makes the film feel like more of a detective yarn than a straight-up horror flick, and Galland elevates the noirish tone with a heavy use of atmospheric neon. 2016 R 1h 29m DVD Rent this movie. In fact, Im surprised Ive never considered the idea much before. With no memory of the past month, she is forced to attend a Spirit Possessions Anonymous support group. Your guide to every single Israeli TV show and movie you can stream right now, Tunisia Boosts Security for Lag BOmer on Djerba. But that's all i am going to tell you. We get a strong sense that this movie is made for fans of horror, specifically supernatural and possession horror. Another movie that thankfully dispenses with the exorcism cliches and deals more with the after effects, in a comedic matter-of-fact way, with a splash of noirish mystery to it. 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. Written and directed by Jordan Galland: Ava's Possessions is relatively unique as a mixture of possession horror and film noir, though it somewhat lacks the much needed energy and eagerness in pursuing its meandering narrative. Participants will ultimately be tested by wearing a necklace that invites the demon back into their body. Minus that flimsy ending, Gallands got every element of this film right on point. This comes as a blow to Max, who is a musician . Just another solid pickup for a dollar. She may even end up in jail for her crimes. AVA'S POSSESSION doesn't really take off like a movie should. I could have spent hours exploring SPA, the cases Tony is dealing with and how having been possessed changes a persons everyday life, but eventually, the film shifts its focus to a mystery of sorts and thats where Avas Possessions loses a little momentum. Overall I'm a bit confused, but I enjoyed the scenes and vibes. 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. Throw in a bunch of bad dialogue and some skinless sex scenes and you have an attempt at a movie. It really is still a bit of a guessing game that you play until the end, which offers not only a nice reveal but wraps the story together nicely as well. 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. A semicomic mystery imagining what happens after the credits roll on a demonic-possession fright flick, Jordan Gallands Avas Possessions realizes the obvious it aint easy to reenter polite society after spending weeks unleashing hell and then makes things worse. Learn more. I try not to be boring. Very often in horror comedies we get over-the-top ridiculous humor with intentionally silly gore and a simple yet coherent plot. Dont want to miss anything on the site? As someone whos seen quite a few possession movies recently, Avas Possessions is wildly refreshing. Directors Jordan Galland Starring Louisa Krause, Whitney Able, Deborah Rush Genres Comedy, Suspense, Horror Subtitles English [CC] Audio languages English. Shes soon justified in her apprehensions. It works well at the beginning, but the more Ava learns and the deeper she get into this mystery, the more convoluted things become. When her family confirms this story, Ava's first question is whether anyone called in sick for her at her job. 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. Yet "Ava's Possessions" seemed to take a completely different route with its aftermath story. Finally someone made a movie, that is so obvious, you really wonder, how no one came up with that simple yet brilliant concept yet.