Reviews: Ava's Possessions (2015) Movie Review / Ending Explained / FAQs
Genres: Horror, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Comedy, Demons
Subgenres: Demons, Possession, Campy, Dysfunctional Family
Where does Ava's Possessions (2015) stand among horror films? Our review examines the scares, pacing, and what makes it unique in the genre.
Ava’s Possessions (2015) – A Fresh Take on Post-Demonic Possession Horror
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
Ava’s Possessions, directed by Jordan Galland, brings a unique twist to the well-worn exorcism subgenre by asking one compelling question: What happens after the demon is gone? Instead of focusing on the possession itself, this horror-drama centers on Ava Dobkins, a young woman recovering from a month-long demonic possession that has left her life in shambles.
The film opens with Ava, recently exorcised and disoriented, facing the devastating fallout of her supernatural ordeal. Friends avoid her, her job is at risk, and her family seems more embarrassed than supportive. As part of her court-mandated recovery, Ava is enrolled in Spirit Possessions Anonymous, a 12-step-style support group for the formerly possessed. This darkly comedic setup allows the movie to explore themes of guilt, accountability, trauma recovery, and personal growth—all through the lens of horror.
What sets Ava’s Possessions apart is its focus on rebuilding identity after being violated by an external force. Ava isn’t just a survivor—she’s a woman seeking answers about what her demon did while in control of her body. As she retraces her missing month, the film transforms into a supernatural mystery with noir vibes, blending psychological suspense with occult intrigue.
Ava’s arc is one of slow self-discovery. Rather than the typical final girl trope, Ava becomes an investigator of her own damaged life, uncovering secrets that might be even more disturbing than the possession itself.
Acting and Cinematography
Louisa Krause gives a standout performance as Ava, walking the line between fragile and fierce. She captures the awkwardness of social alienation while infusing Ava with a stubborn drive to reclaim her life. Krause’s portrayal delivers just enough vulnerability to keep the audience rooting for her, even as Ava’s decisions become morally questionable.
The supporting cast adds flavor without overshadowing the central journey. Notable appearances by Carol Kane, William Sadler, and Deborah Rush lend charm and gravitas, especially within the quirky self-help group scenes. These moments balance the darkness of Ava’s recovery with moments of dry humor and satirical bite.
Visually, the film leans into gritty urban cinematography, using shadowy interiors, washed-out colors, and neon-drenched bar scenes to reflect Ava’s mental state. Director Jordan Galland employs stylized dream sequences and brief flashes of gore to remind viewers of the demon’s lingering influence. The use of light and shadow subtly echoes Ava’s internal conflict between the darkness of her past and the hope of a clean slate.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Galland’s approach to horror is more psychological drama than straight-up scare factory. The pacing is measured, allowing the audience to absorb the emotional consequences of possession rather than leaning on jump scares or gore alone. This direction suits the material well, offering a fresh spin in a genre often dominated by priests, screaming, and spinning heads.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its original concept. By treating demonic possession like addiction or mental illness, Ava’s Possessions brings thoughtful commentary to horror storytelling. The group therapy sessions, Ava’s strained family dynamics, and the mystery behind her blackout period all feel grounded in real human emotion, even as the supernatural looms overhead.
However, the film occasionally struggles with tone consistency. Its dark humor, while clever, sometimes undercuts the emotional weight of Ava’s journey. Certain subplots, including Ava’s relationships and hints of a broader occult conspiracy, feel underdeveloped or hastily resolved, leaving some narrative threads dangling.
Strengths:
Unique post-possession premise rarely explored in horror
Louisa Krause’s compelling lead performance
Engaging blend of horror, mystery, and dark comedy
Stylish cinematography with noir and supernatural elements
Thought-provoking themes of trauma recovery and self-accountability
Weaknesses:
Occasional tonal imbalance between satire and serious drama
Some undercooked side plots and character arcs
Limited scares may disappoint traditional horror fans seeking intensity
A slower pace that may test the patience of viewers expecting action-heavy horror
Final Verdict & Score: 7/10
Ava’s Possessions delivers an original, engaging twist on the exorcism narrative by exploring what happens after the demon is gone. With a strong lead performance, intriguing concept, and stylish execution, the film stands out as a clever fusion of psychological thriller and supernatural drama. While it stumbles at times with pacing and tonal shifts, its fresh perspective makes it well worth a watch for horror fans looking for something outside the typical possession playbook.
Ava’s Possessions (2015) – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is the main character in Ava’s Possessions?
The story centers around Ava Dobkins, a young woman recently freed from demonic possession after a month-long ordeal that she has no memory of. The film follows her journey as she tries to piece together the chaotic and violent events that occurred while the demon controlled her body, all while dealing with the emotional fallout and social consequences of her possession.
What is the main plot of Ava’s Possessions?
Unlike most possession films that focus on the exorcism itself, Ava’s Possessions explores the aftermath of the demonic event. Ava is forced to attend a support group called Spirit Possessions Anonymous, where other survivors share their stories of supernatural violations. Determined to uncover what happened during her blackout month, Ava investigates her own actions—leading to disturbing discoveries about herself, her friends, and her family.
Is Ava’s Possessions a traditional exorcism horror movie?
No. While it deals with demonic possession, Ava’s Possessions flips the genre on its head by focusing on recovery, trauma, and accountability instead of exorcism battles. It blends psychological thriller, supernatural mystery, and dark comedy rather than relying on typical jump scares or gore-heavy sequences.
Does Ava remember what happened while she was possessed?
No, Ava suffers from complete memory loss of the month she was possessed. This memory gap becomes the driving force of the film’s narrative as she attempts to track down people she may have hurt and uncover crimes the demon committed using her body as a vessel.
Who or what possessed Ava in Ava’s Possessions?
Ava was possessed by a powerful demon, though the film does not focus heavily on the demon’s backstory or mythology. Instead, the entity is treated almost like an addiction or mental illness—something Ava must recover from while facing the consequences of its actions.
What makes Ava’s Possessions different from other possession movies?
Focuses on post-possession recovery instead of the exorcism process.
Uses group therapy and self-help culture as a clever narrative device.
Blends dark humor with horror and mystery, making it stand out from standard possession films.
Centers on personal responsibility and trauma rather than purely supernatural evil.
Are there any major twists in Ava’s Possessions?
Yes—minor spoiler alert: As Ava digs deeper into her missing month, she discovers that the demon’s actions may have exposed dark secrets not just about herself, but also about those closest to her. This includes betrayal, hidden motives, and shocking truths that blur the line between supernatural influence and human guilt.
Is there a romance subplot in Ava’s Possessions?
There is a subtle romantic thread involving Ben, a man who claims to have had a connection with Ava during her possession. However, their relationship is complicated by the uncertainty of whether their interactions were truly consensual or manipulated by the demon. This adds emotional complexity without overshadowing the main plot.
Ava’s Possessions (2015) – Ending Explained
In the final act of Ava’s Possessions, Ava succeeds in uncovering the violent chain of events caused by her demonic blackout. She learns that during her possession, the demon used her to commit a brutal assault and possibly worse. Through the help of her sponsor from Spirit Possessions Anonymous and her own determined investigation, Ava identifies those responsible for bringing the demon into her life in the first place.
Minor Spoiler: Ava discovers that the possession may not have been entirely accidental. Certain people around her had motivations that played a part in inviting the entity into her life, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Facing these dark truths forces Ava to confront her own inner demons—beyond the literal one.
In the climax, Ava manages to complete her recovery ritual, symbolically and emotionally severing the remaining ties between herself and the demon. However, the ending leaves viewers questioning whether full recovery is ever truly possible, as subtle hints suggest that Ava may still feel the pull of the darkness inside her.
The film concludes on a bittersweet note, with Ava stepping into a new chapter of her life—empowered but permanently marked by the trauma of possession. The open-ended finale implies that the scars left by such supernatural violations don’t simply vanish—they become part of the survivor’s story.
Similar films like Ava's Possessions can be found in demon movies sub-genre(s), check them out for more movies like Ava's Possessions.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Ava's Possessions Rating Scores
- Our Score: 7/10
- Overall Score: 6.31/10
- IMDB: 5.6/10
- MetaCritic: 5.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 6.9/10
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