What Is The Possession About?
The premise of The Possession in 313 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a quiet suburb where the everyday rhythms of divorce, parenting, and teenage life blend into a fragile normalcy, a small family struggles to stay afloat. Clyde works to rebuild his life after separating from Stephanie Brenek, while their two daughters, Em and Hannah, navigate the awkward terrain of adolescence under the watchful eyes of their parents. The house is filled with the muted tension of past resentments and the hopeful attempts at new beginnings, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and unsettled. The film’s tone drifts between the ordinary hum of family life and an undercurrent of dread that hints something unseen is stirring.
The catalyst arrives in the form of an unassuming antique box discovered at a local yard sale. Em, drawn to its strange carvings and silent promise of mystery, convinces Clyde to bring it home. The box quickly becomes more than a curious trinket; its presence seems to echo through the corridors of the house, casting shadows that flicker with an inexplicable chill. Subtle whispers and odd sensations begin to weave themselves into the everyday, suggesting that the object harbors a history far darker than its weathered exterior implies. The notion of a dybbuk—a restless, malevolent spirit trapped within an object—lurks just beyond explicit explanation, allowing the audience to feel the growing tension without revealing its full nature.
As the family’s routine unravels, each member confronts the unsettling changes subtly rippling through their lives. Stephanie strives to protect her children while grappling with her own doubts, and Clyde finds himself torn between rational skepticism and the palpable fear building around his daughter. Em’s fascination with the box deepens, hinting at a connection that blurs the line between curiosity and possession. The story balances the ordinary with the uncanny, inviting viewers to wonder how far the veil between safety and the supernatural can be stretched before it finally tears.
What Happens in The Possession?
The complete story of The Possession, from the first scene to the last, in 717 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
The story opens with an elderly woman trying to unlock a mysterious box. As she plays some vintage music, she gathers holy water and a hammer, preparing to destroy it. However, before she can act, she is forcefully thrown around her room by an invisible entity. When her son arrives, he finds her unconscious on the floor.
We then meet a recently divorced couple, Clyde and Stephanie Brenek, who are navigating life with their two daughters, Em (Natasha Calis) and Hannah (Madison Davenport). Clyde takes his children to a yard sale where Em becomes fascinated by an ancient box inscribed with Hebrew characters. He reluctantly agrees to buy it for her.
As Em carries the box around the yard, she encounters the old woman, now lying in bed shrouded in bandages. Startled by the box, the woman violently slams her hand against the window, screaming until her nurse draws the blinds. Later, Em insists that Clyde open the box, but he realizes it may not be meant to be opened. Ignoring his concerns, Em brings it to her bedroom, where strange whispers soon start to emanate from it.
Curiosity gets the better of her, leading Em to pry it open that night. Inside, she finds a tooth, a moth’s corpse, and a ring which she begins to wear with sinister implications. As days pass, Em’s demeanor shifts dramatically; she becomes withdrawn, even attacking Clyde with a fork. Her room becomes infested with moths, and one night she has a disturbingly bizarre gagging episode in the bathroom, culminating in a horrifying moment when a hand seems to crawl from deep within her mouth.
At school, a classmate provokes her about the box, prompting an explosive reaction where she violently strikes him. This alarming behavior leads to a meeting with the principal and teacher, who express concern over Em’s growing aggression and isolation. The teacher suggests that they keep the box away from Em. However, that night, curiosity proves fatal when the teacher attempts to open the box and is thrown out of a window by the malevolent force contained within.
Em reveals to Clyde that there is an invisible woman inhabiting the box and claims, “I’m special.” Disturbed by her revelations, Clyde tries to dispose of the box, but when Em hears of it, she pleads with him, only to be hit by an unseen force, making it appear as though Clyde is being abusive. She finds the box and starts conversing with the dybbuk. In a shocking twist, moths fly out and into her mouth, causing her to faint. Clyde rushes her to the house, where police take her away from him, leaving him to retrieve the box.
Desperate for answers, Clyde visits a university professor who identifies the box as a dybbuk box, dating back to the 1920s, designed to imprison a dislocated spirit—a Jewish demon. He sneaks into Stephanie’s home, trying to perform a ritual to protect Em but is thwarted when she returns.
Clyde then consults a Hasidic Jew, Tzadok, who informs him about the three stages of possession, with the third stage being the dybbuk merging with its host. They discover the demon’s name is Abyzou, known as the “taker of children.”
Later, in a chilling moment, Em violently assaults Stephanie after gorging herself out of the fridge. It’s suggested that Em should see a psychologist. However, when the boyfriend Brett makes an attempt to transport her, Em stares at him menacingly, causing his mouth to bleed profusely and triggering a frantic escape. Em’s condition worsens, culminating in a seizure on the lawn, leading to an MRI where Stephanie discovers the terrifying visage of the dybbuk beside Em’s heart.
Realizing Em is possessed, Clyde, Tzadok, and the family gather at the hospital to conduct an exorcism. After a harrowing confrontation, Em escapes to the morgue with Clyde pursuing her. In the climax, the dybbuk is expelled from Clyde during Tzadok’s exorcism, returning to the box.
In the aftermath, the family finds healing as Clyde and Stephanie rekindle their love. Tzadok drives away with the box in Clyde’s vehicle, but disaster strikes when a truck collides with him, suggesting that the horrors may not be over. The box is seen eerily resting a short distance from the wreck, hinting at the lingering evil within.
The Possession Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Elderly Woman's Struggle” to “A Lingering Threat”. 8 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
Elderly Woman's Struggle
The story begins with an elderly woman attempting to unlock a mysterious box while gathering holy water and a hammer. As she tries to prepare to destroy it, an invisible force violently throws her around the room, leaving her unconscious when her son arrives.
- 2
Clyde and Stephanie's New Life
We meet Clyde and Stephanie, a recently divorced couple, as they navigate their new lives with their two daughters, Em and Hannah. Their family dynamics are tested as they try to maintain stability for their children after the separation.
- 3
Discovering the Ancient Box
During a yard sale visit, Em becomes captivated by an ancient box inscribed with Hebrew characters, which Clyde reluctantly purchases for her. This decision is a turning point that introduces a dark force into their lives.
Where:Yard Sale
- 4
The Old Woman's Fright
As Em carries the box, she encounters the old woman from earlier, who reacts violently at the sight of it. The woman's distress escalates as she slams her hand against the window, screaming in terror until her nurse covers the blinds.
- 5
Mysterious Whispers
After Clyde brings the box home, strange whispers begin emanating from it, prompting Em's curiosity to grow. She insists that Clyde open it, despite his growing apprehension about the dark energies associated with the box.
Where:Clyde's Home
- 6
The Sinister Opening
Em decides to open the box at night, discovering a tooth, a corpse of a moth, and a sinister ring inside. This act marks the beginning of a drastic change in her behavior, as she starts to become increasingly withdrawn and aggressive.
When:Night Where:Em's Bedroom
- 7
Aggression at School
After being provoked by a classmate regarding the box, Em reacts violently by striking him. This alarming incident leads to a meeting with her teachers, who express their concerns about her escalating aggression and suggest they keep the box away from her.
Where:School
- 8
Tragic Encounter with a Teacher
One night, a teacher attempts to open the box despite warnings, resulting in a catastrophic event where she is thrown out of a window by the malevolent force contained within. This incident heightens the urgency surrounding the box and Em's possession.
Where:School
- 9
Confronting the Invisible Woman
Em reveals to Clyde that there is an invisible woman living within the box and declares she is special. Disturbed, Clyde tries to dispose of the box, but when Em hears about it, she is violently thrown by an unseen force.
- 10
Desperate Pleas and Confrontation
Despite Clyde's attempts to protect Em, she starts to converse with the dybbuk and faints after moths emerge and enter her mouth. Fearing for her well-being, Clyde becomes frantic and seeks help to understand the nature of the cursed box.
Show the other 5 events of The Possession Hide the last 5 events
- 11
The Professor's Revelation
Clyde visits a university professor who identifies the box as a dybbuk box from the 1920s, used to imprison a dislocated spirit. This information leads him on a quest to find a way to help Em and confront the evil they are dealing with.
Where:University
- 12
Consulting the Hasidic Jew
Clyde consults Tzadok, a Hasidic Jew, who explains the three stages of possession and reveals the dybbuk's name, Abyzou, known for taking children. This insight brings a chilling urgency to their predicament, as they prepare for a confrontation.
- 13
The Failed Transport
After a violent incident where Em assaults her mother, the family decides to have her see a psychologist. During an attempt to transport her, Em stares menacingly at her mother’s boyfriend, causing him to bleed profusely, adding to the terror of her possession.
Where:Clyde's Home
- 14
The Exorcism Attempt
In a desperate bid to save Em, Clyde, Tzadok, and the family gather at the hospital to conduct an exorcism. An intense confrontation ensues where Em escapes but ultimately, the dybbuk is expelled back into the box during the ritual.
Where:Hospital
- 15
A Lingering Threat
After the exorcism, Clyde and Stephanie begin to heal their relationship, but the box's fate takes a dark turn. Tzadok, while driving away with the box, is suddenly involved in a truck collision, suggesting that the dark forces are not entirely vanquished.
Who Are the Main Characters in The Possession?
3 characters, among them Clyde Brenek (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), Stephanie Brenek (Kyra Sedgwick) and Em Brenek (Natasha Calis): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Clyde Brenek (Jeffrey Dean Morgan)
Played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Clyde is a devoted father trying to navigate his responsibilities post-divorce. His love for his daughters drives him to confront the supernatural at all costs, showcasing his determination and vulnerability. As his world spirals into chaos, Clyde's journey highlights the complexities of parental love in desperate situations.
- 👨👧 Fatherhood
- 🔍 Determination
- 😰 Vulnerability
-
Stephanie Brenek (Kyra Sedgwick)
Played by Kyra Sedgwick
Stephanie is a caring mother who faces the trials of a fractured family while grappling with the increasingly violent behavior of her daughter. Her emotional strength is tested as she balances her love for her children with the fear of losing them to a sinister force. Stephanie's character embodies resilience and maternal instinct.
- 👩👧 Motherhood
- 💔 Resilience
- 😟 Fear
- EB
Em Brenek (Natasha Calis)
Played by Natasha Calis
Em is a young girl whose innocent curiosity leads her to a horrifying possession. Her character's transformation serves as a haunting portrayal of innocence corrupted, showcasing her struggles with identity due to external influences. Em's decline into isolation and aggression reflects the trauma of loss of control over one's own body and mind.
- 👧 Innocence
- 📉 Isolation
- 😡 Aggression
Where and When Is The Possession Set?
The Possession is set in Morgue, University and Family Home (1920s, Present Day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1920s, Present Day
The ancient dybbuk box, central to the story, dates back to the 1920s, reflecting the cultural beliefs and fears surrounding spirits in Jewish folklore. In contrast, the family's journey unfolds in present-day America, juxtaposing modern life with age-old supernatural threats that challenge familial bonds.
Where
Morgue, University, Family Home
The morgue serves as a chilling backdrop for the climactic exorcism scene, heightening the film's tension and horror. The university acts as a place of knowledge where Clyde seeks information about the dybbuk box's sinister history. Their family home represents the battleground of demonic possession, once a safe haven that becomes engulfed in fear and unrest.
- 🏥 Hospital
- 🎓 Education
- 🏡 Home
What Are the Themes of The Possession?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Possession, Family and Cultural Beliefs.
-
01
Possession
Possession is a critical theme, exploring emotional and physical control over an individual. Em's terrifying transformation into a host for the dybbuk encapsulates the struggle between darkness and the human spirit, raising profound questions about identity and self. This theme underscores the fragility of the human psyche when confronted with malevolent forces.
-
02
Family
The film intricately weaves family dynamics amidst the trials of possession. Clyde and Stephanie's relationship is tested, though their shared concern for their daughters highlights the resilience of family ties. It demonstrates that love can be a source of strength in the fight against external malevolence.
-
03
Cultural Beliefs
Cultural beliefs play a pivotal role, particularly in the representation of the dybbuk as a Jewish demon. The film delves into the significance of rituals and folklore, showcasing how cultural context shapes the interpretation of evil. Tzadok's guidance reflects the importance of understanding one's heritage in confronting supernatural threats.
What Kind of Film Is The Possession?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A steadily escalating and deeply unsettling supernatural horror film that builds oppressive tension around a family's desperate fight to save their daughter from a malevolent spirit.
- anxious
- dark
- oppressive
- sinister
- unsettling
- desperate
- demonic possession
- family in peril
- cursed artifact
- exorcism
Content notes: demonic possession, child endangerment, body horror, psychological torment.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Possession? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch The Possession
Stream it on Cinemax and The CW, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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Cinemax Apple TV channel 
The CW 
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