Dabbe The Possession Review

Dabbe: The Possession is a 2013 Turkish horror film directed and written by Hasan Karacadag. The movie is the fourth installment in the Dabbe film series and explores the theme of possession and exorcism. The film blends found footage and traditional filmmaking techniques, creating an intense and terrifying experience for the audience.

The Plot: Dabbe The Possession is a Turkish horror movie about a family that becomes the victim of demonic possession. The film revolves around the family of Kubra, a young woman who starts experiencing strange and terrifying events after a visit to an archaeological site with her friends.

Before her wedding, Kübra was possessed by a djinn, and she stabbed and killed her husband-to-be in front of the entire family. Ebru, Kübra’s childhood friend from Kbledere village, is a psychiatrist. Ebru wishes to observe Kübra and film the actions of so-called djinn exorcists to determine whether or not djinns exist. Ebru and Faruk, a djinn exorcist, travel to Kübra’s village. They go to the village entrance to see a cursed tree, hear stories about creepy events in Kbledere’s past, and see a strange code, 7175, engraved in the tree.

As Kubra’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and violent, her family becomes concerned and seeks help from experts in the supernatural realm. They begin to suspect that Kubra is possessed by a demonic entity and seek help from an Islamic exorcist to perform an exorcism.

As the exorcism progresses, the family and exorcists discover that demonic possession is much more complex and dangerous than anticipated. The demon seems to have a personal grudge against the family, and the exorcism becomes a battle for survival as they struggle to defeat the demon and save Kubra’s life.

Throughout the movie, the audience is subjected to intense and terrifying scenes, with jump scares and haunting imagery that keep them on the edge of their seats. The plot of Dabbe The Possession is dark and complex, exploring themes of possession, exorcism, and the supernatural. 

How was the production of Dabbe The Possession?

The movie was produced by J-Plan and premiered in Turkey on 10 May 2013. The film’s production took place over several months and involved a team of skilled professionals who brought the director’s vision to life.

The film’s production began with the pre-production stage, where the script was developed, and the cast and crew were assembled. The film’s director, Hasan Karacadag, known for his horror genre work, wrote the script for the movie. The casting process involved auditioning actors and actresses in finding the perfect fit for the characters.

The filming of Dabbe The Possession took place in various locations throughout Turkey, including Istanbul and Antalya. The production team had to work around a tight schedule, with most of the filming taking place at night to create the dark and eerie atmosphere needed for a horror movie. The team had to deal with several challenges during filming, including bad weather and technical issues.

The film’s cinematography was handled by Nuri Sevener, who used a combination of found footage and traditional filming techniques to create a unique and immersive experience for viewers. The use of handheld cameras added to the film’s realism, making the audience feel like they were witnessing the events unfolding before their eyes.

The movie’s sound design was also critical to the film’s production. The team used a combination of sound effects and music to create an eerie atmosphere that set the tone for the movie. The sound effects were carefully selected to enhance the jump scares and create tension, while the music added to the film’s emotional impact.

The film’s director, Hasan Karacadag, and the production team’s dedication and hard work paid off, resulting in a terrifying and engaging horror movie. The combination of found footage, traditional filming techniques, sound and lighting, and convincing performances make Dabbe The Possession a must-watch for horror movie enthusiasts.

What is unique about Dabbe The Possession review

The movie’s depiction of Islamic exorcism practices is an interesting aspect of the film, providing a unique perspective on the theme of possession. The film portrays the Islamic exorcism procedure, which is based on the Quran, accurately, which adds to the film’s authenticity.

How the stars did in Dabbe The Possession:

The film features a cast of relatively unknown Turkish actors, many of whom have appeared in other horror films in the “Dabbe” series. Some critics have praised the performances of the lead actors, particularly Elcin Atamgüc, who plays the possessed character of Kubra. Atamgüc’s performance has been described as convincing and effective in conveying the terror and desperation of her character’s situation.

Overall, the acting in “Dabbe The Possession” has been noted for being understated and naturalistic, which can make the film’s horror elements feel more grounded and believable. However, some viewers may find the performances overly subtle or lacking emotional depth. As with any film, opinions on the acting in “Dabbe The Possession” may vary depending on individual preferences and expectations.

Critical review of the plot: Dabbe The Possession

At first, I thought the cheap trash look would be too much for me. However, the film is based on found footage, so the optical flaws fade into the background. Director Hasan Karacadag and cinematographer Halil Ibrahim ekiç understand how to use the style effectively. On the one hand, they manage to conceal the budgetary shortcomings; on the other hand, Dabbe is one of those horror films that can threaten the genre. The camera movements follow the logic of found footage and are used stylistically. As a result, fast camera movements do not always result from the situation but are used with alienation effects and montages to achieve the desired mood.

Purists of found footage will be offended by this loose handling of the subgenre’s conventions, but I liked it. Furthermore, the exterior shots of the small, picturesque Turkish villages are extremely successful and exude a distinct flair.

The contrast between an urban, religion-skeptical population and a deeply religious, superstitious, rural population is also intriguing. Whether the film takes too many sides for one or the other depends on your point of view, but it’s always exciting.

Unfortunately, the film drags on like chewing gum after a certain point. Karacadag has far too little to say after more than two hours of film. Under 100 minutes could have been cut even further here.

So, despite exhilarating sequences, it was sometimes difficult for me to maintain concentration. Nonetheless, a viewing is worthwhile because the film sometimes has a knack for instilling fear and terror.

Should you explore Dabbe The Possession or not?

However, Dabbe The Possession is well worth your time if you can get past the small nuances that come with found footage films. As Faruk’s efforts are repeatedly defeated by the Djinn, the story builds nicely with some effectively unsettling moments. In the abandoned town, there is also a very creepy night sequence. And the ending is a mess, complete with cards explaining what happened afterward. Granted, a lot of it shouldn’t have been recorded by the leads, but that is part of being a fan of found footage.