The Horror Show
The Possession of Hannah Grace
by Diederik Van Rooijen
With 2018 coming to an end, another possession-themed movie has recently been added to this year’s horror list. Dutch director, Diederik Van Rooijen, delivered a visually striking production, but were his efforts strong enough to make The Possession of Hannah Grace stand out?
The story starts off with an exorcism. Trying to shock the audience with a sinister opening scene is common practice, and if executed properly, it can really do the trick in capturing people’s attention right from the start. In the case of Van Rooijen’s feature, the possessed Hannah Grace is killed as a final attempt to expel the demon that has brutally consumed her. Her mangled, burned body is delivered to a Boston morgue, where ex-cop Megan (Shay Mitchell) has just started a job on the overnight shift.
There is something rather eerie and gloomy about a morgue late at night. Van Rooijen made sure to cleverly utilize the setup, which is somewhat overused, and he made it all happen through an excellent sound scheme. The Possession of Hannah Grace establishes a nerve-racking mood by alternating between ominous silence and ear-shattering jump scares.
Although Van Rooijen used a fair share of jump scares, it is the moments of dead silence that are striking. Of course, Mitchell does portray the ‘Megan’ character with particular flair and skill - emotional vulnerability and all, but she alone is not enough to make this film unforgettable. The mangled body of Hannah Grace, though, is kind of memorable.
Though it’s a movie that certainly doesn’t belong to the pantheon of possession horror movies, Van Rooijen did an okay job at delivering a decent, and at times, satisfying flick. The experienced eye of warm-blooded horror fans won’t be amazed by The Possession of Hannah Grace, but it can still be a fun choice.
Maria Kriva, HMS
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