Possessions and exorcisms are some of the most frightening genres of horror films. The threat of being taken over by a demon with no way of exerting your own will is a terrifying prospect. Not only that but it looks like a painful process, often with possessed victims contorting uncontrollably, wounds appearing on their skin out of thin air. Then comes the ordeal of an exorcism, a process fraught with danger, for both the possessed and the exorcist.
Exorcisms have long been a staple of horror cinema, coming to prominence after the 1973 film The Exorcist shocked audiences across the globe and set the blueprint for hundreds of films to come. Obviously, not all of these films live up to the original, but they definitely deserve a watch.
The Possession
Based on an entirely fictional story of a haunted dybbuk box (dybbuks are part of Jewish mythology, dybbuk boxes are not), the film stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Clyde and Kira Sedgwick as Stephanie, divorcing parents of Em and Hannah. Em acquires the dybbuk box at a yard sale, but it is seemingly unopenable however, at night Em hears whispers coming from the interior. She is able to get the box open and finds some odd paraphernalia inside; a dead moth, a ring, a crudely carved wooden figure, and a tooth.
Things go downhill for the family from there. Em begins to display violent and erratic behavior, people start getting hurt around her, and apparently, an old woman lives inside the box and talks to her. Once Clyde realizes the strange obsession Em has with the box he takes it to a university professor who decodes what the box actually is: a dwelling place for a malevolent spirit. Is The Possession the most original take on an exorcism movie? No, but it does make good use of existing tropes and creepy kids, enough to set it apart from the crowd.
Deliver Us From Evil
Based upon real-life events and the life of police officer and traditional Catholic demonologist Ralph Sarchie, Deliver Us From Evil follows Sarchie as he unravels a mystery surrounding gruesome deaths and madness. Eric Bana plays Sarchie earnestly, searching for meaning in a pattern of unusual violence and experiencing a battle with himself regarding his own faith.
With a slow and creepy build-up, relentless tension, and marrying of crime thriller with horror elements, Deliver Us From Evil is an unexpectedly good entry into the exorcism genre. The movie does well in utilizing an excellent cast and interesting world-building from director Scott Derrickson and is an engaging, startling genre blend.
Hellbenders
Starring genre favorites Clancy Brown, Clifton Collins Jr., Dan Fogler, and Larry Fessenden, Hellbenders showcases the lighter side of exorcism. The Augustine Interfaith Order of Hellbound Saints is a team of ministers that live in a perpetual state of sin. Why? They live in sin so that if they come up against a demon they can't exorcise they will invite it into their own body and then commit suicide to defeat it.
The team comes up against one of their own, possessed by a demon called Surtr, who is literally hell-bent on destroying the world and turning the population into monsters before bringing about the inevitable end times. Hellbenders is funny and gory with a great premise and excellent cast who are clearly having a great time.
The Taking of Deborah Logan
Unsettling is not an adequate word to describe The Taking of Deborah Logan. Disconcerting, creeping dread fills the found-footage film that is documenting a woman dealing with particularly aggressive Alzheimer's disease. As the filmmakers follow Deborah in her day-to-day life it becomes apparent that she may not be suffering from the degenerative and debilitating disease at all. At first Deborah experiences bouts of memory loss and other typical symptoms, but soon she is recorded speaking French, talking about sacrifices, and committing frightening acts of self-harm and outward violence.
What follows is a descent into terror as Deborah is hospitalized, her hair rapidly falling out, skin sallow, and she attempts to kidnap a young cancer patient. Meanwhile, the film crew and Deborah's daughter Sarah are attempting to unravel the mystery surrounding the never-ending ringing of line 337 and the disappearance of a local doctor said to be into the occult.
The Cleansing Hour
2019's The Cleansing Hour is the story of Father Max and his friend Drew, two friends who have a popular live broadcast show called, of course, The Cleansing Hour. In the show, Max exorcises possessed people from all walks of life, each broadcast becoming more and more of a spectacle. The trick is that everything is fake. Max is not a priest, the people aren't possessed and the frightening events seen on the show are all staged. Unfortunately, all that is about to change.
With their possessed actor nowhere in sight, Drew's fiancée Lane steps in begrudgingly to play the part. Once the stream goes live however it becomes clear that something is very wrong with Lane. Through the course of the show, Max, Drew, and their crew are tormented by whatever is inhabiting Lane all while the view count ticks up. The Cleansing Hour is a smart and fresh take on exorcism and possession themes, creating a frightening morality tale filled with great effects.