THE POSSESSION
The following is based on a true story.
This is what happened to one family over the course of 29 days.
Mom?
Come on, guys, push it!
Move when you got the ball! Nobody's moving there.
Know where your teammates are!
All right, hold up. Hold it up.
New ball. We are going to play with this ball.
Invisiball.
It's funny. You think it's silly.
Practice is the place it's okay to feel silly.
The practice floor.
Not with people watching you play.
Alright, you guys. Run a couple plays.
Set it up. Three game.
Where's the ball?
- In my mind, coach. - It is in your mind.
One brain! There you go! That's the way to move it!
You play better with the invisiball than the real ball.
-Hey, kiddo. -Hey, how are you?
Good, how are you?
You spaz. Yeah, I was there all alone.
-Hi. -Hey.
You're late.
Practice ran long.
Oh, uh, Clyde, shoes, please?
What is this?
I needed work space for the business. We're up and running.
Hmm.
Yeah.
The jewelry design. I told you I was getting back into it.
Stephanie, I had a bunch of stuff in here.
I boxed up your stuff. Your name's on it.
Everything's in the closet.
Don't you think I should have packed up my office?
It's not your office anymore.
Hey, kiddo. You ready to go?
Which one you think is a better slogan?
"Stop The Killing, Eat Vegetables...
...or When You Eat Animals, You Become One?
First of all, that is awesome...
...but Stop The Killing is super catchy.
-Get my message? -Loud and clear.
Miss Shandy said that if we get 200 signatures on our petition...
...she will take it to the principal...
...and they'll consider meat-free Mondays.
Wow, that will make you so popular.
Dad, were all one big family on this planet...
...no matter what species...
...and we don't eat family, do we?
No, we certainly do not.
-Hi, Clyde. -Hey.
Careful. You are entering a shoe-free zone.
I know. I got that sign for Stephanie.
You wouldn't believe what's dragged indoors.
I'm sure I wouldn't.
-Hey! -Hi.
What are you up to tonight?
-Going to a concert. -Nice.
Season tickets. Wagner.
Wagner? Stephanie loves Wagner, don't you, dear?
I'll have them back Sunday after lunch.
Okay.
Em's still vegetarian, so keep an eye on her, and her allergies, please.
Last time she got hives.
And healthy food, stuff that grows on trees.
No pizza, please. I mean it.
You done?
Yes.
-Stephanie... -Yes?
I think I got this.
-Okay. -Okay.
-Bye, you guys! I love you! -Bye!
-Brett says I have an overbite. -Give me a break, your teeth are fine.
Brett's job is to tell people they have bad teeth.
That's how he makes money.
He said he'd fix it for free.
Uh, Dad?
Yeah?
You passed your apartment.
Oh, I did, didn't I?
Ta-dah!
What is it?
What is it? This is our new house.
-It's in the middle of nowhere. -Isn't it awesome?
And critters come by from the woods.
Yesterday, two raccoons on our porch.
Really?
Come on, Mopey McGee.
Wow, this is pretty cool.
Right? Bedrooms are upstairs.
I call the room facing the woods!
You got it. That's your room.
Dad, there's a doggie door!
Lets get a dog from the shelter. Please.
Please, please, please, please.
You've got to be kidding me. This does not work on me anymore.
Daddy, yes, it does. Please.
Cheers.
-Cheers. -Cheers.
I think Mom would really like this house.
We should invite her for breakfast.
Mom and Dad officially divorced three months ago.
Mom's not coming for pancakes.
-That's enough. -Its getting old.
She thinks you're getting back together.
Em, your mom and I, we just sort of, uh...
...we forgot how to get along.
And you both are moving on with your lives.
I know. That's what Mom always says.
Your mom says that?
Okay. Then, there you have it. You know, its for the best.
Okay? So let's have our dinner.
I'm not hungry anymore.
Alright, clear your plate.
Hannah...
You can't say that. It upsets your sister.
For real? You're going to blame this on me?
Nice, Dad.
"Walk a little faster," said the whiting to the snail.
"There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail."
How was your day today?
Okay. How was yours?
Dinner was a failure.
Make sure Mom doesn't find out about dinner.
She'll be mad pizza doesn't grow on trees.
I'll give you $5 if you don't tell your momther.
Make it 35 and we have a deal.
Go to sleep.
Leave the door open.
What's the matter? You scared?
No. Just... I want it open, okay?
Dad, you need dishes.
Okay.
Hey, Clyde, its Trevor down at NC.
Call me. I want to talk to you.
Hope you're good, pal.
Dad, look! I'm a lady.
Cool.
-Daddy, can I get this? -That is a lovely hat.
Whatever you want, kiddo.
So we found a couple things. What's the damage?
-How about 55? -55.
My daughters cleaned me out. I have $48.
-We'll put something back. -Oh, no.
-You sure? -Yeah.
-Thank you. -Thank you.
You're clearing out. You moving or something?
-No. Some of bills came up. -Oh.
No! No!
Look at these carvings. They're so pretty.
These directions are ridiculous.
Em, do me a favor and hand me the screwdriver, please?
But Daddy, you said you'd get this open.
Well, that's weird. There aren't any seams.
What does that mean?
It means whoever made this didn't want anybody to open it...
...or they didn't want anybody to open it easily.
You hear that? There's something in there.
So somebody had to open it, once upon a time.
That is absolutely correct.
-Daddy, no. -I have to take it.
-Trevor. Sorry, I missed your calls. -Daddy.
How's my old friend doing?
Good.
Daddy--
You run a good program up there.
You have two conference titles.
You calling just to chat?
Our board is taking note.
Thought it was time you come to North Carolina, discuss your future.
What are we talking about here?
Talking about you moving up to Division One.
Does Coach Hill know you doing this?
He's retiring.
He told me to contact you.
Said the school needs one of their own to come take the reins.
What can I say? Hell, yes, I'm interested.
-What's going on? -I don't know. It wasn't me.
-Dad! -Hannah! What is it?
It was on my face! Get it off!
-What are you talking about? -It's under the covers!
Dad!
-You did that on my bed. -You told me to kill it.
I told you to get it out.
God, Dad.
She told me to kill it.
It's a moth!
Make some noise for the most dazzling divas of dance...
...who always bring it fierce...
...the Silverstars!
Hey, are you okay?
-I feel funny. -What?
-I feel funny. -What do you mean?
I don't feel like me.
I know this stuff with Mom and Dad sucks...
...but we're just the kids, and they're the adults...
...and we have to go along with their mistakes.
But you'll feel better if you just stopped giving a shit.
Hi! Hey! Oh...
Oh, hi, Mommy.
-I missed you guys. -I missed you too.
How was the weekend?
It was good. We had pizza.
Wow, yes, the new house has a pizza tree.
-Is Jen's mom coming? -Oh, yeah.
Your outfit is on your bed...
...and take one of your allergy pills just in case.
If one of your players had food allergies...
...you'd write the cafeteria ladies with menu demands.
Cut me some slack.
I was going get the boxes.
-Okay. -Okay.
What's with this guy? Is he moving in or what?
No. No, we're just dating.
You're just dating?
He's awfully comfortable in the kitchen.
Back off, Clyde.
-In his antiseptic socks. -At least he's present.
Excuse me?
Presence, attendance...
...being in the moment as opposed to absent.
-Like you. -I know what it means.
-Don't forget your stuff. -Fine.
Hello?
Clyde, it's Trevor.
Hey.
Got your flight lined up.
I'll have the university pick you up when you land.
-Quite the welcome. -You'll love it.
Okay. Thank you for calling.
Keep me informed. Alright, bye.
So she's in the middle row.
-Hannah's dance is next week. -Oh!
It's her first time with a real audience.
-That's cool. -Are you gonna make it?
Heck, yes, I'm coming.
Mom will be there, so don't feel obligated.
Are you kidding? I'll be in the front row.
What's in your mouth?
Hannah, I told you, your teeth were perfect.
No, you said it was my decision, and I don't want to be disfigured.
Disfigured? Who said you were disfigured?
I did. I'm totally disfigured.
You are perfect.
Dad?
What? What's wrong?
Go back outside.
-Is someone in the house? -Go
Who's there?
Dad?
It's okay, you guys. I think we have a raccoon.
Emily.
Em, breakfast is ready!
Ace!
Can't you hear me yelling for you? Breakfast is ready.
Em.
What's wrong, Daddy?
First, the announcer comes out and announces us.
He has the most obnoxious voice. I don't know why I can't do it.
And he goes like, "Make some noise...
"...for the most dazzling divas of dance, who always keep it fierce...
...the Silverstars!"
We all wear a ponytail to look the same...
...because we're the chorus with the can-can.
-Jen cut her hair. She needs extensions. -Em, slow down.
They use real Indian and Asian hair.
-I personally think it's gross. -Em--
They sweep it into bins and weigh it...
...then they take it to a place where they make wigs...
Em, slow down!
I'm sorry, Daddy! I'm sorry, Daddy!
-I'm really sorry! -Go to your room.
Hannah, what happened?
In there!
Oh, my god.
My god.
Em? Stay there, Em.
Close the door. Close it!
Hey, are you okay?
What happened?
Creepy.
I had no idea moths were attracted to pizza and soda.
The pest control guy can take care of it.
I'm still getting your email on my computer.
-Want me to take care of it? -Yes, please.
-How was Wagner? -It was good. Interesting.
"Interesting."
"Interesting" is code for you fell asleep.
-No, I didn't. -You totally felt asleep.
I didn't fall asleep.
Okay, I don't know what this file is.
What am I doing?
Don't you remember that?
That was the weekend the kids were in camp, remember?
-Good morning. -Good morning.
-Did you sleep okay? -I did. It's a little hot in here.
Oh, I do remember.
No.
What are you doing?
That was a weekend.
Oh, Lord.
-Nice legs, I'll give you that. -Oh, God.
Remember when--
-What? -Nothing. Never mind.
Okay.
All right, there you go.
I am successfully deleted from your computer.
Thank you.
I've been meaning to ask you.
Have you noticed anything odd going on with Emily?
Like what?
I don't know.
She has these moments where she just checks out.
We've disrupted their whole lives.
It will be a while before anything's normal again, right?
Yeah.
-Okay. I'll see you soon. -Okay.
Thank you.
Where's the communication? I don't hear anything out here.
You going to pass it?
No, you'll shoot it.
20 minutes on the clock.
We're running a full half.
Hustle or we're staying and running lines.
Let's go. Let's move.
Didn't you have to go at 5:00?
-What time is it? -Past that.
Make some noise for the most dazzling divas of dance...
...who always bring it fierce--
The Silver Stars!
Hannah, I'm so sorry I missed your performance.
I screwed up. I promise, I'm going to make it up to you.
She's mad at you.
Yeah, I know.
Is my box all right?
It's fine.
I don't want you going near it.
Okay.
Because I am the only one who can touch it.
Em, what's the deal with the box?
Just don't touch it, okay?
Okay. I won't.
-Goodnight, Daddy. -Goodnight, babygirl.
What the hell is this?
What's in this?
Give it back!
Give it back to me! Give it back to me!
No!
Emily has displayed some unusual behavior the past few weeks.
She is becoming distant from her friends...
...not doing her assignments.
She has lost interest in things that were once so important to her.
Em's been going through a lot lately.
-You moved recently. -Yeah, I moved.
Stephanie has the girls at...
...the same house they grew up in most of the time.
How's your new home?
Things are fine. Fine, given the circumstances.
Circumstances?
We're divorced. That's always tough on the kids, isn't it?
I think it would benefit Emily to talk to someone about her feelings.
Feelings?
I talk to her about her feelings all the time. About everything.
Still, she seems extremely frustrated.
She scared everybody with that box.
A little time away from it will do her good.
That just doesn't sound like Emily at all.
She's never been in a fight. Ever!
This wasn't just a fight.
This was violent.
We've been separated for a year with no problems.
This behavior, something else is going on here.
Yeah, maybe she's insecure.
Maybe she's afraid you won't be there for.
Still getting your email. It's your flight details to North Carolina.
-I was going to tell you. -When? After you took the job?
Its just to sit down and talk.
If they offer it, you going to take it?
-Of course you are. -Wait.
Anything to be a big shot again.
While your daughter falls apart.
That has nothing to do with this.
Stay oblivious. It seems to be working well for you.
Oh, come on.
You have to be kidding me.
Hey! Stay away from my kid's teeth.
Subtitled by Freaky!
So, Em, do you understand why school was cancelled today?
Because Miss Shandy's dead.
That's right. She was in a horrible accident last night.
Can you get my box for me? It's still in the classroom.
Let's talk about this for a second, okay?
Why is the box so important to you?
Don't know. Just is.
Okay.
You know, Emily...
...I noticed sometimes you talk to it.
I do not talk to the box.
I talk to my friend.
-Your friend? -What?
-You said you talk to your friend. -Mm-hmm.
The one who lives in the box.
Your friend lives inside the box?
-What? -He lives in there?
It's a she. A woman.
What exactly does she say to you, Emily?
That I'm special.
Well, you know, you are very special.
I'd sure like to meet her.
Not possible. No one can see her.
Not even me.
Can I have some more?
She's still hungry.
Where's my box?
I got rid of it, Em.
Tell me where it is.
It's not here.
Then go get it.
We're done with the box, Emily.
-I'm calling Mom. -And tell her what?
-To pick me up. -That's not happening.
And if you keep talking to me like this, you're grounded for the rest of the weekend.
I hate you.
Go to your room. That's it.
- Go to your room. - I don't love you.
-Emily... -And Mommy doesn't love you.
-You think you know everything, but you don't. -Emily, knock it off.
Stop it right now.
Mommy loves Brett now.
He makes her happy.
He does nice things for her! Something you never did.
Ow! Daddy! What are you doing to me. Daddy?
What are you...? Emily!
What are you doing to me, Daddy?
-What are you doing, Dad? -I'm not doing anything!
-Did you hit her? -No, I didn't hit her!
Emily!
Em!
Are you my friend from the box?
No. No.
Because my dad doesn't... my dad doesn't like me anymore.
No.
What are you talking about?
No!
No! No!
Em!
Right.
No, I gotta go.
The judge reviewed everything and is granting the interim temporary order.
So I can't see my kids?
Based on Mrs. Brenek's report about the bruise marks...
This is ridiculous. You know I would never hit her.
A full hearing will be scheduled.
Thank you.
-Wait, wait. Stephanie. -Mr. Brenek!
Can we talk? Just the two of us? We can work this out, Stephanie.
Mr. Brenek! You can state your case--
I'm not talking to you! I'm talking to my wife!
-Steph-- -Don't touch me!
What were you thinking? What were you thinking?
You destroyed us, but I won't let you hurt the children.
Just move.
Just move to North Carolina.
I don't want to see you again.
He's clearly unstable. He's angry and he's confused.
He's taking this divorce out on everyone around him.
It's why Em's has such a hard time.
I brought some DVDs over.
I thought we'd all have a movie night.
That's a great idea.
Watch something funny. Lighten the mood.
Okay.
That's your second glass. Save some for dinner?
Hey!
What you got there?
What's in your hand? Come on.
Can I see it?
Honey, it's okay. Let me see it.
Where'd you get this?
Where'd you get this, Em?
It's deliberate...
Em?
I think you should leave.
I think you should leave now.
I don't like you!
You'll have to get used to that.
Coach, you looking for the bathroom?
What brings you to my class?
Quite a find, Clyde.
That's just it. I have no idea what I've got here.
From the woodwork, I'd say it was from Poland, 1920s, '30s.
Probably from a Jewish village...
...indicated by these Hebrew inscriptions.
I think it says, "Dibbuk".
It's the Hebrew word for "dislocated spirit."
It's a dibbuk box.
So was it used for something religious?
The more traditional branches of Judaism,
especially in the Hasidic sects...
...believe in various spirits, both benevolent and, um...
-Benevolent and-- -Evil. Like demons.
A dibbuk box was made with the belief...
...that the evil itself could somehow be contained.
Think of it.
If you believed such a thing, that you could trap a demon.
And now, it's in your hands, Coach Brenek.
Carrying around this curse.
Whoo... Very brave man.
Whoever made this box certainly had intense convictions.
It's why they concealed this lock and carved these words.
Basically what they're saying is...
"Warning. Deadly."
"Do not open."
So, don't open it.
-What are you doing here? -Where's your sister?
Mom would freak if she knew.
I'm not scewing around. I need to see Emily.
She decided to stay home. She's not feeling very well.
Dad!
Em.
"Whoever sits in the refuge of the most high...
"...he shall dwell in the shade of the Almighty.
"I will say of Hashem...
"...He is my refuge, my fortress, my God.
"I will trust in Him.
"For He will deliver you from the ensnaring trap...
...from devastating pestilence..."
"With his pinion He will cover you,
and beneath His wings you will be protected.
"His truth is shield...
"His truth is shield and armor.
You shall not fear the terror of night, nor--"
Who are you?
What do you want with my little girl?
You tell me!
What do you want?
You tell me!
Clyde!
What are you doing here? Get out!
Get out of the house! I'll call the police. Get out!
Babylon your throne
Down, down, down
Babylon your throne down
One bright morning when my work is over
I'm going to fly--
Excuse me.
Sorry.
I get kind of lost when I'm listening.
My name is Clyde Brenek. I'm looking for Tzadok Shapir.
Yeah, that's me.
-We talked on the phone. -Thanks for meeting me.
Is that it?
Yeah.
All right. I'll take you to see my father the Rebbe Shapir...
...but I must tell you, he's traditional.
Okay.
Alright. Everyone's waiting in the shul.
My father asks if you could show what's in the bag.
Tzadok Shapir wants to know where you got it.
I bought it at a yard sale.
Did you open it?
Tell us, did you open the box?
My daughter...
My daughter opened it.
What does this thing want with my daughter?
The dibbuk looks for innocence. A pure soul.
It will move back and forth from the box...
...searching for a proper host.
The host begins to hear voices... experience visions.
All of this is the deception of the spirit...
...to protect the host and drive others away.
The final stage is when the dibbuk attaches to the host....
...the two becoming one.
It will feed and take until there is nothing left.
It wants only one thing-- that which it does not have.
Leiben.
Life.
How do I stop it?
The only way to stop the dibbuk...
...is by commanding it back into the box by its name.
I don't have its name.
This is what I have. I need your help.
I saw this ceremony, an exorcism.
It is too great of a risk.
The dibbuk could come upon anyone attempting to perform the ceremony.
No.
No, wait. Wait, please.
Someone here has to help me.
It's not my little girl anymore.
When I look at her, it's this thing looking back at me.
But my little girl, Emily, she's in there, right?
Please tell me she's in there.
You have to help me.
This must be left to the will of God.
The will of God?
If this were your child, would you leave it to the will of God?
Mr. Brenek?
I'm coming with you.
Why?
Pikuach nefesh. A permitted violation of a Shabbat law.
A human life is in danger. I am not only allowed, but required to act.
Let's go.
Em...
What are you doing?
Emma...
Give me that, sweetie.
-Emily, what are you doing? -Em's not here!
It's okay, baby. Come here. Come here.
You just stop this right now. Come here. Come to Mommy.
No!
I'm not playing games now, Emily.
I said, Em's not here!
Emily... come here, honey.
Em, where are you?
Emily, come here, baby.
Come here.
Em, where are you?
Em?
Emily?
Where are you?
Mom, who am I?
Oh, baby...
Who am I, Mommy?
Her face...
...you should have seen it.
I was actually scared.
I've never seen anything like that.
With everything going on, we need to have her see someone.
I called a friend of mine.
She's a mental health specialist. She works with kids all the time.
She says she can see Em tomorrow morning.
Spend a couple days, give her a full evaluation.
Okay.
You could tell Em that we're just going away for the weekend.
Okay, everybody, let's go!
Emily?
Brett?
You okay?
Em?
-Hannah! -What's going on?
Call 911!
What's wrong with her, Mom?
There must be a name.
I searched every inch of that box.
The carvings, a prayer...
...the tokens placed inside...
...but why there is mirror?
If the spirit was contained, it would have to look upon itself...
...to be forever reminded it turned away from God.
Jesus.
"Abyzou."
"Abyzou.
Taker of children."
Hurry.
I'd like to schedule an MRI right away.
Okay.
Emily, we're going to slide you into this machine.
Think of it as a big camera. Let's us take a look inside.
-Am I okay? -Yeah, baby.
Everything's gonna be all right. Don't be afraid. Okay?
We'll be in the other room. Okay?
You'll hear noises, Emily. It's nothing to be scared of.
I love you.
I need you to stay very very still.
All right, here we go.
Can I close my eyes?
Of course.
We're gonna start taking pictures now.
Looking good. Good tissue.
You're doing great, Emily.
What's happening? Is she all right in there by herself?
She's fine. Get somebody else up here.
What's going on?
This happens occasionally.
Oh, my god.
There is something else in there with her!
Hey.
Hi.
-Dad, I'm so sorry. -No.
I saw... something...
I saw something in her.
The doctors, they can't help us, can they?
Just, I need you to trust me, okay?
Can you get her out?
No. We're going to have to do it here.
Here?
Great.
I hate hospitals. People die here.
Hey.
This is Tzadok. Tzadok, this is my family.
Thank you for coming.
-Can you help us? -Of course.
Do I look like a doctor?
It doesn't want me here. We need a private place.
Thank you.
There's a therapy room down there. My players use it sometimes.
No one uses it after 6:00.
Oh, baby.
-Light these candles. -How many?
Seven.
Put something from your heart in the box.
This essence will bind the prayer.
This belonged to my grandfather.
The strength of my family is with us.
Hannah? Honey?
Stephanie.
Your wedding ring.
Once we begin, we must complete the ceremony.
The dibbuk will do everything it can to stop us.
Even in the face of evil, our faith must remain unwaver.
-Okay. -Please, God.
Oil of two olive trees. Oil represents light.
Water represents darkness.
May God separate between these two as only light can dispel darkness.
"Nor the destruction that ravages at noon.
"Put Your hands on her.
"You need only look with Your eyes...
...and the punishment of the wicked illuminator."
Shut up!
You take me! Take me!
Everybody, put your hands on her!
Cast all fear from your hearts!
You die!
Emily!
Daddy!
You let me daughter go! Take me!
You take me instead!
No!
That is no longer your daughter!
Em?
Daddy, you scared me.
Daddy, you scare me.
Dad, you scare me.
Take me! You take me instead!
Em!
Clyde?
Daddy?
Em, is that you?
Clyde!
Daddy?
Is it okay? Okay?
-Em... -Oh, thank god.
All right.
This is all wrong.
Guys, this is not right.
Where is it?
Where's the Dibbuk?
Abyzou.
Abyzou. Abyzou.
Abyzou!
Hannah!
Abyzou!
No! No!
I say to you that He will save you from the ensnaring trap!
He will instruct His angels in your behalf to guard you in all your ways.
I say to you in the name of God, leave this flesh!
Abyzou!
He will save you from the destruction and pestilence.
Abyzou!
You are cast away from the eyes of God!
Daddy!
Abyzou!
Hannah?
Daddy...
It's okay.
Subtitled by Freaky!
Hi.
Oh, it's just a cough.
Tzadok, hey! I'm calling to say thank you.
Clyde! I was going to call. I need to get your car back to you.
You keep it. I am not gonna be going anywhere.
How's the family?
Perfect. More than perfect.
-So what are you gonna do with it? -I'm not sure.
I'm gonna speak with my father. We'll find a safe place for it.
Okay. Goodbye, Tzadok.
Goodbye, Clyde.
Subtitled by Freaky!