Possession meurtrière

I recently just heard of this 70's cult-classic, and some were trying to compare it to or put it in the same realm as the 1973 masterpiece "The Exorcist." Let's be honest here...the ONLY thing that "The Possession of Joel Delaney" and "The Exorcist" have in common is that both do deal with the subject of possession. Other than that "Possession of Joel" does not even come close to an ink-ling of being in the same realm as "The Exorcist."

However, this 70's horror flick is pretty good for low-budget and the topic it deals with. There are plenty of bizarre and freaky moments, and the slow mental collapse/possession of 'Joel' was amazingly portrayed by a very young Perry King! Shirley MacLaine also gives a very excellent performance as the somewhat weird and mentally troubled 'Norah'.

But, the actor I had the most respect for, and thought truly had to go through a humiliating/horrifying experience, and handled it professionally (especially at his young age at the time) was David Elliot. He was the young 13 year old son of MacLaine and had to strip naked (exposing himself entirely) after the possessed Joel forced him to dance naked around the house to terrify him. That had to be embarrassing and I'm surprised they allowed it...but he handled the situation and that scene like a pro. This scene is also somewhat shocking and makes this film remembered among horror movie fans.

Overall...again don't expect "The Exorcist", but it is frightening and the character development, filming locations, etc... are excellent! This is a must have for horror fans/collectors!

Nora Benson (Shirley MacLaine) is a spoiled socialite who finds herself caught up in a supernatural nightmare, when she starts to believe that her brother (Perry King) is possessed by the spirit of a dead murderer.

Ms. MacLaine is fantastic in her role, bringing a complexity to a part that could have easily been played as an over-the-top parody.

THE POSSESSION OF JOEL DELANEY is an excellent example of early 1970's cinema at its dark, politically incorrect best. This was a time when it seemed as though all directors were taking risks and trying new things. This film takes horror in a direction that few, if any, would attempt today...

I thought "The Possession of Joel Delaney" was an excellent movie. The performances are superb and the last fifteen minutes of the film are sooo incredibly scary. The plot deals with a troubled man named Joel who shows signs of demonic possession. His rich older sister Norah is sure he is either going crazy or on LSD, but when she realizes her brother led a quite different life and had a strange friend named Tonio Perez (who, as it happens, was a dangerous decapitation murderer), she is led to believe that Joel is possessed by Tonio's vengeful spirit and an exorcism must be performed. The mood is dark and there are scenes that stick in your mind for days...the haunting voice Joel speaks in when possessed by Tonio, the scary and quite sick finally where he torments Norah and her two kids. I love this movie and think it is a must-watch for any horror fan. It is definitely not, "The Exorcist", but more subtle. Incredibly scary.

This is a sharp supernatural thriller worth seeking out. The pace may be a little slow for some, but those who are patient will be pleased with the use of their virtue. Shirley MacLaine plays a Manhattan socialite who realizes that her brother has in some way changed. For example he now practices the Santaria religion, he speaks very good Spanish, and his health is not quite the same. MacLaine is then warned that her brother may be slowly becoming possessed by the spirit of a Spanish decapitator. Not knowing what or who to believe, she dives into the world of the Santaria faith in an attempt to get some answers on what is happening to her brother. As time goes on, the danger increases and getting the answers she seeks may prove to be fatal. Director Warris Hussein does a good job in building the suspense for the viewer and creating a frightening atmosphere to those who are not familiar with Santaria. The performances, lead as well as supporting, are first rate especially Perry King (who plays the brother) who is truly frightening towards the film's conclusion. This is very well done, and highly recommended.

Potent, occasionally disturbing, but ultimately uncomfortable thriller from Ramona Stewart's novel concerns an upper-crust New Yorker (Shirley MacLaine) who reunites with her vivacious brother, but soon begins to suspect he's either on drugs, insane, or worse...it's worse. Unapologetic film dives in where most movies would fear to tread, and that's both pro and con. Turns out Joel Delaney has become involved in a voodoo cult and is now possessed by the soul of a vicious killer. Final moments with MacLaine and kids at the beach, cornered by Perry King's dangerous Delaney, are quite nasty...but you have to admire that final plot-twist, handled with unashamed bravado. I would recommend the picture to connoisseurs of the offbeat, even if the film is actually rather pointless, never dealing in depth with its own subject matter. ** from ****