Amityville II: The Possession

Amityville ii the possession

Amityville II: The Possession is a horror film directed by Damiano Damiani and released in 1982. It serves as a prequel to the 1979 film The Amityville Horror, which was based on the 1977 novel of the same name by Jay Anson. The screenplay for Amityville II: The Possession was written by Tommy Lee Wallace, based on the book Murder in Amityville by Hans Holzer. The film explores the fictionalized events leading up to the DeFeo murders at 112 Ocean Avenue, where a young man named Sonny Montelli, inspired by the real-life Ronald DeFeo Jr., murders his family after being possessed by a malevolent demon.

Plot

The film begins with the Montelli family moving into their new home in Amityville, New York. The house is immediately shown to have a sinister presence, with strange noises and unexplained occurrences. The eldest son, Sonny Montelli, becomes the focus of the malevolent force inhabiting the house. After being possessed by the demon, Sonny's personality drastically changes, leading to tension within the family. The situation escalates until Sonny, under demonic influence, kills his family with a shotgun.

Father Frank Adamsky, a local priest, becomes involved when he tries to bless the house and senses the evil within it. He attempts to help the Montelli family and ultimately performs an exorcism on Sonny in an effort to save him from the demon's grasp. Despite his efforts, the tragedy unfolds as foretold, with the film ending on a grim note that sets the stage for the events depicted in The Amityville Horror.

Cast

• James Olson as Father Frank Adamsky
• Burt Young as Anthony Montelli
• Rutanya Alda as Dolores Montelli
• Jack Magner as Sonny Montelli
• Diane Franklin as Patricia Montelli
• Andrew Prine as Father Tom

Production

Amityville II: The Possession was filmed primarily in Mexico, standing in for Amityville, New York. The decision to make a prequel rather than a direct sequel was influenced by the desire to explore the backstory of the haunted house and the events that led to the infamous murders. The film's direction by Damiano Damiani emphasized a darker and more psychologically intense atmosphere compared to its predecessor, focusing on the themes of possession and family tragedy.

Reception

Upon its release, Amityville II: The Possession received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised its atmospheric tension and horror elements, while others criticized it for its graphic violence and departure from the true events that inspired the original story. Despite the mixed critical reception, the film has gained a cult following over the years among fans of the horror genre and the Amityville series.

Legacy

The film's exploration of demonic possession and its impact on a family dynamic has influenced subsequent horror films dealing with similar themes. Amityville II: The Possession remains an important entry in the Amityville series, setting the tone for later films that would further explore the dark history of the infamous house.