BetweenAvas Possessions andAlter Egos, its pretty clear that Galland isa skilledworld builder. 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. Want more horror movie reviews? IMDb The film ends with Ava rebuilding her life and working with Tony in the facility office. Accused Episode 2 Recap. I know I certainly wouldn't mind seeing a Spirit Possessions Anonymous TV show. Her only clue to the person's identity is an engraved watch that leads her to Ben (Lou Taylor Pucci), who tells her that it belonged to his father. This is one of the most original movies i have seen recently. 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. Disneys Haunted Mansion Teaser Trailer Welcomes You Back to an Iconic House of Horrors! After an exorcism frees her soul, a young woman (Louisa Krause) attends Spirit Possession Anonymous and meets a fellow victim (Whitney Able) who wants her demon back. there is an excellent twist that I was totally not expecting! The story is not only a different take, but is also . 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. Ava is able to control the demon and use its abilities to capture Roger. "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. But grisly visions continue to plague her . 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. 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. Again, this part of the film is packed with clever concepts that are fun to consider. Funny and original demon possession film. Scattershot possession horror comedy that works for the most part even if it has more story threads than it can handle in one movie. Though sometimes clever, it doesnt offer anything like the deep-geek inventiveness of, say, Simon Pegg and Edgar Wrights movies. Possession (1981) Ending Explained. Where precisely does it go off the rails? Good cast, original story, so you know, that's that. User Ratings Minus that flimsy ending, Gallands got every element of this film right on point. It happened . 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. The phones screen shows the time as 1:10 PM. 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. Honestly, one of the better horror comedies in a while, and I'll tell you why; the comedy fits the horror. No matter how bad that story might be. Production companies: Ravenous Films, Traction Media, Cast: Louisa Krause, Whitney Able, Deborah Rush, William Sadler, Carol Kane, Lou Taylor Pucci, Wass Stevens, Zachary Booth, Producers: Jordan Galland, Maren Olson, Carlos Velazquez, Douglas Weiser, Executive producers: Mike Landry, Mark L. Pederson, Aldey Sanchez, Gregory P. Schockro, Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Now demonic possession is a sub genre where almost everything has been done, some perfected it, some tried there level best and. some.. well we'll talk about the devil inside (2012) some other time. Tired of possession and exorcism movies? Definitely worth a watch, any way you can find it. Critical reception for Ava's Possessions has been mixed and the film holds a rating of 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 16 reviews. It's a question not many movies have asked, so I sat down and took it in. Her immediate response is "How long was I out?" By the time the cake cutting begins, Eran is dead. 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. 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 idea of AA for the post-possessed is another brilliant novelty in the film. He can be reached at [emailprotected]. Ava's parents (William Sadler and Deborah Rush), sister (Whitney Able), and her sister's fiance Roger (Zachary Booth) are all concerned for her. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 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. Yes, you read it right. Yet "Ava's Possessions" seemed to take a completely different route with its aftermath story. Ava (Louisa Krause) plays her part extremely well, both as a demon and a regular woman. Not only does it put a completely new spin on the concept, but its also a downright brilliant idea that could sustain far more than 89 minutes of screen time. Vibrant, red blood splotches run down her mouth as she . Instead of the classic horror movie reactions to things like possessions and demons, we get a more muted and organic comical touch. Lending credibility are the performances by veterans William Sadler and Deborah Rush, who nail whats required in their roles and the story. It was more of a mystery than a horror film, but it was certainly a thriller. Awards Rating: R (Bloody. Its more comedy than horror, but it mixes enough to make it a decent watch. With no memory of the past month, she is forced to attend a Spirit Possessions Anonymous support group. She gets some leads and finds some clues and eventually comes full circle. Is too bad this isnt good because the concept is gold. Nadia Tereszkiewicz as Natalie in HBO Maxs Possessions. Courtesy of HBO Max. 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. It just ticks all the boxes and makes sure to play off some of the simple things those fans would know. Having wrought havoc on the public during her demonic spree, she is ordered by the court to a "spiritual possessions anonymous" group to reorient herself. Louisa Krause stars in the titular lead role Ava, a woman who's in the process of recovery after being afflicted by demonic possession. About 20 minutes in I had to check that I wasn't watching a series pilot. For more information, please see our TMDb The film had its world premiere at the Dead by Dawn Horror Film Festival on April 26, 2015. All the exorcism/possession movies end, after the exorcism - whether it went right or wrong, there's not much we get after that. 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. Its again not something you see every day in the genre. Ava was possessed by a demon. Participants will ultimately be tested by wearing a necklace that invites the demon back into their body. Spirit Possessions Anonymous, where the d-word is a big no-no. Ava's Possessions is an American supernatural Horror Comedy film written and directed by Jordan Gallard. Visually weak as most of the setups are "people in a room talking". Ava's life was hijacked by a demon, now it's time to get it back. Her mother was tormented by the same demon at one point, why wouldn't she just explain to her daughter in the first place?! Ava's family is of little help, as Ava gets the impression they are hiding something. Other reviews already mention the unnecesary subplots. Ava must now make amends with those she affected during her possession and take action to see that the spirit does not re-enter her. Now shes being charged with a variety of crimes including property damage, assault, indecent exposure and more. 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. I won't bother to describe the plot of this disaster, but some of the dialog is pricelesssuch as 'I think my demon likes me, I'm the first girl he was ever inside.' Your guide to every single Israeli TV show and movie you can stream right now, Tunisia Boosts Security for Lag BOmer on Djerba. 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. A supernatural comedy that kicks off after the exorcism. Her family and friends arent exactly sympathetic. She hosts and produces the interview series, Collider Ladies Night, a show geared towards highlighting the need-to-know female voices in film and television. I dont think that weve ever had a competent story (Exorcist 2, anyone?) It works well at the beginning, but the more Ava learns and the deeper she get into this mystery, the more convoluted things become. Thats expected sometime in 2023. 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. See our full guidelines for more information, and this guide for detail about canonical URLs. I'm generally skeptical of anything Hollywood calls "multicultural." It's usually a cover phrase for "objectively without value except for raising your social . and that music, with all its funhouse-mirror doo-wop and moody rockabilly-ish twang, was ready for action. 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. Copyright 2023 The Forward Association, Inc. All rights reserved. If you love (deader than) deadpan stuff that is. Horror is in trouble if this doesn't become a cult classic someday. She may even end up in jail for her crimes. Isabela Merced(Rosaline) has also joined the cast, we learned earlier this week, and The Hollywood Reporter brings us more casting news. Jordan Galland's sharp satire Ava's Possessions, on the other hand . Unless she agrees to join a self-help group, the SPA or Spirit Possession Anonymous, that is. That alone lends to a sort of relatable aspect that you don't often get with a horror movie. Louisa Krause stars in the titular lead role Ava, a woman who's in the process of recovery after being afflicted by demonic possession. Natalies mother, Rosa (Dominique Valadi), opposes the union and almost walks out. 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. 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. Wth was that about? Quirky and naturally charming in sort of deadpan way, Krause, like many other leads in similarly peculiar films, holds her own and delivers a good performance that I think could be even better without the script's limitations. Oops, I said the d-word. It did not succeed in my opinion. 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. 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. Demonic possessions are a well-trod trope in horror movies, but most of them end with the exorcism. 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. Finally someone made a movie, that is so obvious, you really wonder, how no one came up with that simple yet brilliant concept yet. Overall this was a fun movie, with good acting, and some neat effects. Film: Ava's Possessions (2015) So what do we have here? 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. 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! 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 Bill and Teds Bogus Journey: 30th Anniversary Death Statue from Incendium Now Available for Pre-Order! She's soon justified in her apprehensions. This is the one. The ending is atrocious. She discovers that her mother had also previously been possessed by the same demon, hinting that their bloodline is predisposed to possessions. 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. That's the purpose of Spirit Possession Anonymous. But Avas recovery efforts get bogged down by Hazel (Annabelle Dexter-Jones), a fellow Spirit Possessions Anonymous attendee whos developed an obsession with her former possessor and enlists Avas help to invite him back. I really liked this movie. Demon AA (sorry!) Her latest film puts her in the titular role of Ava and teams her up with director Tate Taylor after . and 'It was negative space, like a donut hole.'. The 12 steps for possessed people is genius. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of serviceapply. And therein lies another major theme of Possessions: possessiveness. And a slut, another (played by Girls Jemima Kirke) adds. Thanks again in part to Gallands script, the film succeeds in getting you to feel for Ava. Movies Explained. While shes possessed, Roger confesses his crimes in front of the facility's security cameras. In atmosphere the show often resembles a less pretentious True Detective and its initial intrigue is hard to resist. Incredible, modern film noir. The Netflix series, created by Simon Barry and (loosely) based on the Warrior Nun Areala comics by Ben Dunn, stars Alba Baptista as Ava, a 19 year-old who wakes up in the morgue after having an angelic halo planted in her back. Simon mourns for his old mentor in his own way and accuses Ava of forcing his hands. I do recommend for anyone wanting to watch a mildly horror movie but I felt it was more drama then anything else. AVA'S POSSESSION doesn't really take off like a movie should. External Reviews The results land on the dismissible side. 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. I don't care what the critics say. The film had its world premiere at the Dead by Dawn Horror Film Festival on April 26, 2015. But in making amends with the people she wronged, she uncovers a plot deeper than mere possession. Just another solid pickup for a dollar. 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. A capable production communicates the narrative without adding appealing energy. This is where Wass Stevens steps in as Tony, the head of Spirit Possessions Anonymous. [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. "[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]. Ava's Possessions 2015 R 1 h 29 m IMDb RATING 5.6 /10 3.3K YOUR RATING Rate Play trailer 1:56 2 Videos 15 Photos Comedy Horror Mystery A young woman recovers from a demonic possession. She then rips the necklace off. 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. Natalie's mother, Rosa (Dominique Valadi), opposes the union and almost walks out. 2 May 2016. It goes for a neo-noir horror mystery comedy, how cool is that? 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Of course shes going to be liable for things like this. Still Alive Watch Demi Lovatos Scream VI Music Video Featuring New Clips from the Movie! Ava. Two teams of two pursue this goal. 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. Relatively well acted with a unique spin on the possession genre. 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. Ava learns from therapy that though she has been freed of possession, she was still very vulnerable to those beings. I mean "entity." 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. (Re-summoning Hazels demon requires a trip to an occult shop, owned by a delightfully wicked Carol Kane.) Ava's Possessions. PJ Grisar is a Forward culture reporter. If you don't know, "Tonight, We Stay Indoors" is essentially about what happens after a slasher movie. It premiered at the Dead by Dawn Horror Film Festival in 2015, and was given a DVD and Video on Demand release in 2016. The back-story is a mismatch of flash-backs and hints from the family that don't accelerate the plot much. In fact, Im surprised Ive never considered the idea much before. Jessica Chastain stars in a new action-thriller revolving around an assassin, and here's how Ava ends and sets up a sequel. Theres still a serious tone to the film, but the variety of tones that make up the story definitely keeps things interesting. He can be reached at [emailprotected] and @pjgrisar on Twitter. The cast was great, the cinematography was appropriately oddball (so many Dutch angles! Furious, Ava begins screaming and the office door swings open, showing the shadow of Ava's demon. They've got to attend Spirit Possessions Anonymous. With no memory of the past month, she must attend a Spirit Possessions . Click here for Culture Crypt's interview with filmmaker Jordan Galland and star Louisa Krause. 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. Young gal Ava (an excellent performance by Louisa Krause) is forced to join a Special Possessions support group in the wake of being possessed by a demon. Sounds as fresh as it is with humor that isn't trying to be funny, but definitely is. Shes soon justified in her apprehensions. that explores the consequences of the events of a demonic possession in a grounded way. Still, its a nice alternative to yet another self-serious Exorcist wannabe. Is it passed genetically though too?? Honestly, one of the better horror comedies in a while, and I'll tell you why; the comedy fits the horror. 2015 It's basically jail, or join a group a lot like AA but for possession victims: Spirit Possession Anonymous. Ava is recovering from demonic possession. That is the way to connect to the audience, and this movie does it well. Practically the entire cast gets whats needed to make this film work. It sets a world where this kind of things seem normal and that feels nice, like getting something annoying out of the way. But in a genre where possession is old-hat, it's rare to see a fresh and unique take on the material. Demonic possessions are a well-trod trope in horror movies, but most of them end with the exorcism. A Bedouin kitchen worker hangs a white dress from a tree after witnessing the bloodbath at the reception. Watch Ava's Possessions Theatrical Trailer, The movie playing at around 55 minutes is. A young woman recovers from a demonic possession. it's got a total sleazy noir feel but full of yuppie cunts, a detective story for the modern age. Its situation comedy dealing with horror. By what name was Ava's Possessions (2015) officially released in India in English? Youll want to know how it ends, but may come to dread which way the evidence is pointing. Ava is last seen approaching the helicopter that was supposed to pick Caleb up, but her conversation with the pilot is not heard. After that first flush of interest, though, its draw is largely obligatory. Ava's Possessions. I just watched this movie and I kind of liked it. "[Review] 'Ava's Possessions' Takes Post-Demonic Possession In a Fresh Direction - Bloody Disgusting! Ava's life was hijacked by a demon, now it's time to get it back. During their sessions together, Ava expresses attraction towards Caleb. 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. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from. Bernard: Are you still smoking marijuana? His death sends Ava on a self-destructive path, and she starts drinking again after years of sobriety. I may be biased because I adore film noir, but I was impressed with this movie's plot. The SPA program requires members to talk to family, friends and strangers that they might have encountered while possessed so that they can figure out exactly what happened. But that's all i am going to tell you. You sorta acted like a mega bitch when you were possessed, one friend tells her. 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. 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. At the same time Shai wonders, as others do, if Erans death was retribution for marrying Natalie a sign that Maybe she wasnt his. However instead of taking her to the facility Roger instead tries to kiss her and reveals that he murdered the prostitute in order to keep her from telling anyone that he had visited her. It has a charming sense of humor and a wonderful visual eye, creating a sort of technicolor 60's sitcom palette at times. I enjoyed the different take on possessions and what happens after its over. 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. They were really creative in showing possible life changes that occur after a possession. So what is this movie really? Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Writer/Artist/Gamer from the Great White North. I thought the exploding shipping container near the cemetery was a bit much. And the demon bursting inside after she finds her mother's file?? Please correct me if Im wrong once youve seen the whole show! 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.
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