Alright, so you all know the drill: family dynamics are messed up, child gets possessed by a demon, crazy shit happens, the church gets involved, and wait… a twist? The Containment may be just another possession movie, but it does offer some bits and pieces that stray from the norm.
A dark and sinister being enters the body of an innocent child.
The Containment, IMDB
Caroline (Gia Hunter) is a broken teen. Her father’s recent death has made her brother a mute and her mom into a mess. Caroline herself had become quiet, yet risky, as her friend follows her to check out a local “haunted” water tower. As Caroline sleeps on night, a beetle hiding a dangerous presence makes its way into her mouth and starts a chain of destruction and violence as an ancient demon takes control. Sister Esperanza (Fernanda Romero) comes to the rescue when even the Church won’t touch this case. The Containment adds an air of mystique to the usual, tired possession motif.
For example, long gone are the days of head-spinning and pea soup. The Containment is marked with blackened eyes, an otherworldly voice, and visuals of our insides as our bodies fight to keep evil at bay. This little beetle travels through your esophagus and plants itself right at your core, but that’s not all — it roams freely to wherever it wants to be. While you’re at wits end trying not to float up to the ceiling or force-push anyone through walls, this beetle is walking around just under your skin from place to place, unreachable, driving you all the more crazy. And all of this action doesn’t come without its weight in blood; The Containment doesn’t shy away from pools of dark red liquid on floors, on walls, and on bodies.
Being that it is still a possession movie, there are some tropes we might as well get out of the way. Everything about the Church’s involvement is pretty much a cliché, from the denial of an exorcism despite tons of evidence, to the rather attractive nun coming to the rescue (who’s ultra-devoted faith and duty to the Church apparently aren’t enough to override her need to help in an extremely dangerous situation). Teens will be teens, as Caroline acts out and makes rash decisions, much to her mother’s chagrin. You will find that The Containment makes sure you know you’re solidly watching a supernatural possession film.
But what it also does is add in some spiciness to amp up the scare factor. Some might find a multi-level trigger warning needed because The Containment features self harm and child sexual abuse. Though these are pretty hard to watch, they do add that missing sense of danger that some might not get just from the possession angle. The supernatural scenes are well done and exciting. Caroline’s acts of violence are unexpected and hit their mark. The beetle/demon’s origin remains a mystery, ensuring the possession remains cryptic and threatening. And of course, a twist at the end that seals the deal.
Overall, The Containment is a fresher, more modern take on possession that I think we could all benefit from seeing. Gone are the days of washed up priests, dusty churches, and your 200th rewatch of the 1973 classic. The Containment is fast, volitile, and a chilling new take on an old concept.
See The Containment exclusively in theaters today! For more from Level 33 Entertainment, visit their website.
