AVA’S POSSESSIONS (2015)

 

(Director/screenwriter: Jordan Galland)

Review

Ava, a young woman recently possessed by a demon (Naphula), tries to rebuild her post-demonic life and make amends, a frustrating endeavor for a number of reasons: she can’t remember what she did (though there’s a mysterious blood stain on her floor); her family, while supportive, are hiding something about the month she spent assaulting and sleeping around with people; and Naphula, tormenting her with unsettling flash-visions, still wants her as his vessel. On the plus side, the law will forgive her crimes if she attends a possession recovery group run by the no-nonsense Tony (Wass Stevens). There, she also befriends Hazel (Annabelle Dexter-Jones), one of its group members whose unhealthy fascination for her former devil may also imperil Ava.

AVA'S is a tightly written and edited possession-as-addiction drama, entertaining and brisk with its fresh, unsettling and sometimes comedic take on its whiff-of-brimstone theme, although one of its twisty subplots feels forced, an unnecessary ingredient that briefly jarred me out of AVA’S spell.  Its overall look, camerawork, feel and Sean Lennon’s score also work on all levels, making its behind-the-scenes talent a group to take seriously, as are its onscreen players.

AVA’S players include: Louisa Crause as the fully realized Ava; William Sadler (THE MIST, 2007) as Bernard, Ava’s father; John Ventimiglia (ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE UNDEAD, 2009) as Father Merrino—AVA’S director, Jordan Galland, also helmed ROSENCRANTZ; Dan Fogler (HELLBENDERS, 2012) as J.J. Samson, Ava’s lawyer; Lou Taylor Pucci (EVIL DEAD, 2013) as Ben Branson; and Carol Kane (WHEN A STRANGER CALLS, 1979) as Talia, owner of a magick shop Ava visits.

AVA’S is a worthwhile flick if you can overlook a clutter-twist, and enjoy cut-to-it, character-centric drama that blends horror, crime thriller and underlying humor. Highly recommended, this.