Film Lens
The Possessed is a documentary-style horror film released in 2009, focusing on the 'Watseka Wonder,' which is considered the first well-documented spirit possession case in America from 1877. The film utilizes period photographs, dramatic recreations, and interviews with experts to recount the story of Lurancy Vennum, who exhibited behaviors similar to those of Mary Roff, a girl who died in an asylum in 1865 after years of violent behavior.
Filming took place in Watseka, Illinois, using locations tied to the original events and including interviews with surviving family members of Lurancy. The film features a reenactment of a 100-year-old séance, incorporating modern measuring instruments and footage of individuals claiming to be possessed, providing a blend of historical context and contemporary exploration of the subject.
Why Watch
- •Meet Lurancy Vennum, the girl at the center of the possession case.
- •See the original locations in Watseka, Illinois.
- •Find out about the 100-year-old séance reenactment.
Did You Know
•The film was released to DVD in May 2009 and debuted on SyFy in October 2009.
•Lurancy Vennum began showing possession symptoms in 1878, twelve years after Mary Roff's death.
•The documentary includes interviews with 14 different experts and historians.
•Filming began in 2006 with the help of students from Watseka Community High School.
Perfect For
Paranormal enthusiastsHorror film fansHistory buffs