The Possessed Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 18, 2026
Movie Overview: The Possessed
| Movie | The Possessed |
| Release Year | 1977 |
| Director | Jerry Thorpe |
| Genre | Horror / TV Movie |
| Runtime | 76 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Possessed (1977) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 4.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Possessed are led by James Farentino . The supporting cast, including Claudette Nevins and Eugene Roche , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Possessed does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Horror films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Possessed has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Horror fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Possessed
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1977, The Possessed is a Horror, TV Movie film directed by Jerry Thorpe. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving James Farentino.
Ending Explained: The Possessed
The Possessed Ending Explained: Directed by Jerry Thorpe, The Possessed attempts to bring together the film’s narrative threads. The ending highlights the core horror themes developed throughout the film.
The final moments emphasize tension and lingering uncertainty, particularly in scenes involving James Farentino. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the horror themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Possessed reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch The Possessed?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Horror films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Possessed
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The Possessed Parents Guide & Age Rating
1977 AdvisoryWondering about The Possessed age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Possessed is 76 minutes (1h 16m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 4.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Possessed is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1977 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Possessed worth watching?
The Possessed is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 4.8/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Possessed parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Possessed identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Possessed?
The total duration of The Possessed is 76 minutes, which is approximately 1h 16m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Possessed
**_Great cast in a spooky tale set at a girl’s boarding college in Oregon_** Released to TV in 1977, this combines the milieu of another television drama/horror, “Satan’s School for Girls” (1973) and “Suspiria” with bits influenced by “The Exorcist.” You can’t beat the female cast, which stars Joan Hackett as the headmistress and several notable up-and-comers, like Ann Dusenberry, Diana Scarwid, Carol Jones, Dinah Manoff, Susan Walden and PJ Soles. On the masculine side of things, James Farentino stars as the former priest turned exorcist and is quite ‘cool’ in the role (I don’t know how else to put it). Meanwhile Harrison Ford has a peripheral part as a biology teacher similar to the professor he would play four years later in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Remember the female student in that movie with “love you” written on her eyelids? I’m sure that that bit was influenced by a subplot here. Of course, Harrison would skyrocket to fame with his next movie (a theatrical one) released the same year, “Star Wars.” Unfortunately, I found the dramatics dull with only the cast drawing interest and maybe 2-3 thrilling parts. “Satan’s School for Girls” wasn’t anything phenomenal, but it’s superior to this. Nevertheless, if you like flicks like “The Woods” (2006), it’s worth a look. It's short ‘n’ sweet at 1 hour, 14 minutes, and was shot at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. GRADE: C
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.










