The Possession of Hannah Grace

The Possession of Hannah Grace is a 2018 American supernatural horror film directed by Diederik Van Rooijen and written by Brian Sieve. It stars Shay Mitchell, Grey Damon, Kirby Johnson, and Stana Katic. The film follows a former police officer who encounters a supernatural force while working in a morgue.

Plot

The movie opens with a failed exorcism that results in the death of a young woman named Hannah Grace. Several months later, Megan Reed (played by Shay Mitchell), a former cop dealing with her own traumas, takes a night shift job at the morgue of a hospital. One night, a disfigured body is delivered to the morgue, identified as Hannah Grace. Megan begins to experience horrifying visions and suspects that the body is possessed by a demonic force. As the night progresses, Megan must fight to survive the malevolent entity that seeks to claim her.

Cast

• Shay Mitchell as Megan Reed
• Grey Damon as Andrew Kurtz
• Kirby Johnson as Hannah Grace
• Stana Katic as Lisa Roberts
• Nick Thune as Randy
• Jacob Ming-Trent as Ernie Gainor
• Max McNamara as Dave

Production

The film was announced in 2016, with Diederik Van Rooijen attached as director and Brian Sieve as the screenwriter. Principal photography began in November 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The production focused on creating a claustrophobic atmosphere within the morgue setting to heighten the film's tension and horror elements.

Release

The Possession of Hannah Grace was released in the United States on November 30, 2018, by Sony Pictures Releasing. It received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its atmosphere and performances, particularly Shay Mitchell's, while others criticized its predictability and reliance on horror clichés.

Reception

The film has a mixed critical reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval rating based on reviews, with an average rating. Critics highlighted the film's effective use of its setting and Shay Mitchell's performance but were divided on its execution of horror tropes and its story's originality. Despite the mixed reviews, The Possession of Hannah Grace managed to perform modestly at the box office.

Themes

The film explores themes of trauma, redemption, and the battle between good and evil. Megan's struggle with her past and her confrontation with Hannah Grace's possessed body serve as metaphors for her fight against her inner demons. The movie also delves into the concept of possession and the idea that evil can manifest in various forms.