Amityville II: The Possession

If you want a drama that takes its characters as seriously as its plot, Amityville II: The Possession is available in the US on YouTube TV and MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, and in the UK on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. James Olson's performance alone is worth the time investment. Put it on tonight on YouTube TV and see for yourself.

Amityville II: The Possession arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. Amityville II: The Possession takes its time building the world its characters inhabit, and the patience pays off. Anthony and Dolores Montelli, along with their four children, move into their dream house in Amityville and are immediately plagued by a string of paranormal experiences. When the abusive Anthony wrongly places the blame on the children, Dolores recruits a local Catholic priest to exorcise the house. James Olson and Burt Young lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1982. What elevates Amityville II: The Possession is a refusal to let any character off the hook too easily. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with Amityville II: The Possession. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. James Olson carries the material with a performance that rewards close attention. Worth starting sooner rather than later.