Surprisingly incoherent and boring

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Amityville The Possession is no classic, that's for sure. Indeed, the final third of the story rips off The Exorcist so much it's a wonder the film-makers didn't face legal action. But for what it is - a very loose version of the original serial murders that took place at 112 Ocean Avenue in November 1974 - it isn't bad.Where the original film was laughable in the extreme, this one at least has some narrative interest. Unfortunately the film is overloaded with supernatural goings on to the point of silliness. That's not to say it doesn't have effective moments, such as when Sonny puts the shotgun to his father's head during a family argument (possibly based on a real happening regarding the DeFeos). The movie also features a decent performance from James Olson in the same sort of role Rod Steiger ridiculously over-egged in the original. Mostly he's quiet dignity in the face of all the horrors, and he does it very well.Tommy Lee Wallace turns in an okay script, though the incest sub plot might jar with some viewers; and there are some nice camera tricks from director Damiano Damiani and pretty convincing make up effects. The film also has a fine music score.After the murders (which surprisingly come about 50 minutes in) it goes a little downhill - a descent into sub-Exorcist territory. But overall this ain't too bad. It might have been much better if the movie was a factual account of the actual DeFeo murders, but this probably wasn't permissible for legal reasons.

This horror prequel depicts the events that lead to the massacre of a family. The movie was based on the actual family who lived in the Amityville house, the DeFeo's, who were all murdered by the oldest son. There are inaccuracies to not only the real events, but to the events depicted in the first movie. I remember being told this movie was "scarier than the first one," but I found myself laughing at most of it. Don't get me wrong, there were still some creepy moments (the mother feeling a presence in the basement, Sonny being attacked by the presence and hearing the voices), but it was mainly made up of bad writing and awkward dialog. Some of the special effects were surprisingly done very well for their time. Jack Magner also did an exceptional job portraying a young man slowly losing his mind to a maleficent force. It was decent, even with the bad dialog, until the last twenty minutes or so. The ending was very weak and fell flat. But overall, I would say to watch it for the good parts I mentioned and then make fun of the rest.

I remember first watching this film when i was very young and bein obsessed with it over the years totally forgot bout it until other night come online & watched it there was so much i had forgot,, i was totally enthralled..This has to be the eeriest house ever this has some spooky camera work and the creepiest music. has some great makeup & effects considering when this was made. always some thing going on so you wont get bored This in my book is the best horror of all time..i come away after watchin other night so glad id watched it again..I don't understand how some people cant like this...this film has u wanting to know just whats in that scary part of the house so bad

Let's start off with some boring facts. I know no one wants to read them, but they must be faced. Although this film is based on Hans Holzer's supposedly non-fiction book about the DeFeo Family tragedy, it is, in fact, screen-written by Tommy Lee Walace (hold your applause until the end please) and not to be taken so damned seriously. I can understand the realism confusion here. If this movie is based on a factual event and book (very much so promoted that way too, like its counterparts), then why change the names and what really happened? I'll tell you... It's An Embellished Fictional Re-Telling. In other words, much more interesting to watch than if they'd made the real story. Not to mention we wouldn't want anyone suing over misinterpretation, including Ronny DeFeo. If he's even still with us?It's a horror movie folks. It's made to be scary and entertaining. In my opinion it does both of those in spades. Creepy as hell, at least in the first hour. The pacing is break-neck, for this type of film, again, in the first hour. And what happened to Jack Magner. I know the old standard is you're only as good (or wanted) as your last film. And I think that's what it is. Mr. Magners performance should have been based on his part, but ended up being based on how much the audience seems to hate this movie. I also love how his character's name is Sonny instead of Ronny (off, literally by the next letter in the alphabet).This is one of those movies I pick to watch on a stormy night that makes my skin crawl. Keep in mind I own 4,000 DVD's and half of them are horror movies, so I have plenty to choose from. It's a film full of dread, a quality newer horror movies have forgotten about, and I truly miss and appreciate. Remaining truthful here, I kinda wish the credits would have rolled about 70 minutes in, instead of 105. The last half hour just seems tacked on to make it longer, and give the special effects people more to do. It's also a study in how guilty can we make the priest feel. Who, by the way, does come off as gay with another priest as his boyfriend. Although the ghost of the daughter that was killed by her brother confronts the priest at the end by asking if he wanted to have sex with her in the confessional. You'll note he never answers this question, he just sort of winces in angst as if wanting to tell her, NO, I"M GAY!" If that wasn't a spoiler this certainly is: I believe that after the priest asks the possessing demon to come into him, and it does (we know this because of his pulsating veins) he should have shot himself after asking God for contrition. They could have done it as a sound bite when the camera does its last pull-away from the house. It's not like this character gets used in future sequels. And I'm not sure a priest would want to live possessed by a demon. You'll also notice he was given a gun by the detective before taking Sonny out of the prison.So, if not taken too seriously and one lets the beginning creepiness just wash over them... and one doesn't base this movie on the supposed truth, one could truly enjoy this horror movie. You can't truly tell me that the disgusting trap door in the basement and the ghost POV doesn't effect the hairs on the back of your neck!