Deconstruction of The Possession

Opening Credits

The opening credits at the beginning of the film appeal to the target audience as well as the genre, as the sudden loud non-diegetic 'whooshing' sound along with the skeleton figure (which seems to be peering though a keyhole) may startle the audience as though they are expecting to be scared, they may not be expecting this to happen so early on in the film.
 As well as this, at the beginning of the opening credits, the following statement came up: "The following is based on a true story". Though the audience cannot be completely sure of this, the statement add realism to the film as therefore, may frighten viewers as they believe that this actually happened.

The setting

The 'possessed' box is a key figure in the film so the audience are introduced to it from the very beginning scene. The box is centered in this mid shot which could be to highlight its supernatural powers as well as its significance throughout the film. When the old lady is seen to be possessed, audience are suspicious of the box as her attack seems to be after trying
 Furthermore, from the overhead shot of a typical suburban neighborhood, we are also introduced to a typical family which is a common convention in supernatural horror films as an ordinary family aren't expected to be effected by such extraordinary events. This further appeals to the genre as it further makes the audience scared as they may notice similarities in their own lives.

Emily

Initially, Emily is presented as harmless to the audience as we first see her doing her homework, as well as helping to save animals and the environment (which is highlighted when we see her getting upset after the death of the moth). Furthermore, her bright room as well as the top lighting further presents innocence.

As well as this, when we see Emily and her dad, the childlike game emphasizes this innocence as from this mid shot, framed with her and her father, we see her as a 'daddy's girl'.  Also, in this mid shot, the white hat, symbolizing purity, is juxtaposed with this box, as we know that the box is possessed.





This innocence is in contrast to Emily's darker clothing as well as the low key lighting after her interaction with the box. The close up shot of Emily's ring,  symbolizes that her
innocence has now been tarnished and she is no longer the harmless little girl she was at the beginning of the film. In terms of mise en scene, this is also shown when we see her messy hair in contrast to her neatly combed hair at the beginning of the film.

Supernatural

 There are several points where Emily seems to be possessed after purchasing the box. One of these points is when she is having breakfast with her family. The increase in pace as we hear the diegetic sound of Emily smashing her fork onto her plate as well as her sister talking in the background (and dad shouting), with the addition of a non-diegetic high pitched string sound, all lead up to her odd outburst as she stabs her father with the fork; at the same time, the high pitched, non-diegetic sound reach its peak. When Emily's teacher is left possessed, this startles the audience as well. The blood as well as scratches on her body may scare the audience as it highlights the supernatural powers of the box.