Amityville II: The Possession

Starring: James Olson, Burt Young, Rutanya Alda
Written by: Tommy Lee Wallace, Hans Holzer

Director: Damiano Damiani
Year: 1981

Rating: * *     Stars       +       (Fan Bonus -   )  Total: * * 

A prequel to the hugely successful Amityville Horror. This film attempts to address the original murders and what evil forces were at work then. 

A family of six moves into a picturesque house, but don't realize the evil presence that dwells within. Sonny Montelli (Jack Magner) is the eldest son, and soon begins to be tormented by the evil spirit within. He becomes withdrawn as the entity slowly isolates him from the rest of the family. Finally, succumbing to the urges of the demonic force, he murders his entire family. Sent to an institution, Father Adamsky (James Olson) realizes the boy isn't insane, but possessed. The priest must free him from the institute and confront the evil on its home turf, inside the house itself.

The so-so premise of a prequel is marred by bad acting, lethargic drama, and unsurprising suspense. The movie seems to end abruptly when the family is killed, only to realize the other half of the film is centered on the priest and Sonny. It sort of feels like a haunted house film that also feels like an exorcist film, yet neither become fully realized.

SEE THE TRAILER: Amityville 2: The Possession