It isn’t always about spinning heads and pea soup.
Possession can be demonic, spiritual, psychological, or even metaphorical. These stories explore what happens when control slips away, of the body, the mind, or the soul.
From classics like The Exorcist and The Evil Dead to more nuanced tales like Relic and Hereditary, possession films embody themes of corrupted innocence, inner turmoil, and the desperate fight to reclaim the self.
This tag also includes:
If a character’s very being is at stake, it belongs here.
A deliberately tasteless B-horror slasher about a killer doll carrying a serial killer’s spirit. Mother of Movies on whether Jeffrey Dollmer paves the way with its shock value or just chases it.
A nasty cold open, a strong back half, and a middle stretch that spends more time explaining its own rules than building dread. Worth it if you’re patient with the lore.
It Hunts 2026 invites you into a bad dream where a night-shift worker’s hallucinations might be possession, or guilt. If you like atmospheric indie horror with a twist, this debut is worth your attention.
Portuguese horror-comedy about a possessed toilet, severe constipation, and a family in crisis. Won Fantasia’s jury prize. Graphic and unforgettable.
In our Grimshaw (2025) review, we explore Thor Moreno’s indie creature feature. FBI Agent Roland battles agoraphobia and secretive locals to uncover an original mythos. Expect heavy atmosphere, deliberate pacing, and practical effects that punch above their weight class
The Voices of Our Mother (2026) is a dive into supernatural horror where faith is a mere mask. Mark O’Brien directs and stars in this Shudder release that trades jump scares for the creeping rot of hidden family secrets.
