The Possessed (1977) Plot Summary Explained

Kevin Leahy dies in a car crash and is pronounced dead at the scene. However, as penance for his past as a priest who struggled with alcoholism, he is sent back to Earth to fight evil as an exorcist. He returns to life specifically to battle the demonic forces threatening the Helen Page School.

• kevin leahy
• exorcist
• death
• resurrection
• priest

The fires are caused by demonic forces possessing and tormenting the students and staff at Helen Page School. The supernatural activity escalates from a typewriter bursting into flames to dorm curtains igniting, and finally to graduation gowns catching fire, indicating the demons are targeting individuals directly.

Foreshadowing: The first fire in Ellen's typewriter occurs before the pranks begin, establishing that the supernatural threat precedes any human conflict.

• fires
• demonic possession
• supernatural
• hellian page school

Mr. Winjam dies when his jacket suddenly bursts into flames while he is in the biology room with Weezie. He is locked out and cannot escape, resulting in his death by fire. This occurs after Weezie confesses to Leahy that she had been visiting Winjam late at night for biology tutoring, suggesting a secret relationship.

• winjam
• death
• fire
• biology room
• weezie

Headmistress Gelson and Mr. Winjam were romantically involved. Leahy discovers Gelson crying in Winjam's office after his death and realizes their secret affair. This revelation creates scandal at the school and contributes to Gelson's emotional breakdown, making her vulnerable to demonic possession.

• gelson
• winjam
• affair
• relationship
• headmistress

Yes, Gelson becomes possessed by demonic forces. During the final confrontation at the school pool, Gelson is shown confronting Leahy and the students while under demonic control. Her behavior becomes erratic and violent, culminating in the confrontation where she catches fire and dies.

Foreshadowing: Gelson's breakdown intensifies after the affair is revealed - she wanders the hallways screaming and slapping students, showing her mental deterioration before full possession.

• gelson
• possession
• demon
• final confrontation

During the final confrontation at the pool, Leahy confronts the possessed Gelson. His jacket catches fire, but the flames mysteriously extinguish themselves - suggesting divine protection. He then embraces Gelson as she catches fire, and he leaps into the pool with her, disappearing. At graduation, Ellen admits she does not know who Leahy was or where he went, leaving his fate ambiguous.

• leahy
• ending
• fate
• pool
• disappearance

The difference appears to be that Leahy has divine protection as a former priest and exorcist sent back to Earth to fight evil. When his jacket catches fire during the pool confrontation, the flames extinguish themselves - a miracle suggesting God is protecting him in his mission. In contrast, Gelson is fully possessed by demons and burns to death, with her fire consuming her completely.

• fire
• divine protection
• miracle
• leahy
• gelson

Weezie is targeted by Lane, Alex, Celia, and Marty, who smear her bed with ketchup and other liquids as a prank. However, when she returns to her dorm, the curtains burst into flames on its own, suggesting the demons were already targeting her. This may be connected to her secret relationship with Winjam and her hidden activities at the school.

• weezie
• prank
• dorm
• ketchup
• targeted

Sergeant Taplinger arrives at Helen Page School to investigate the string of mysterious fires that have occurred on campus. He works alongside Ellen Sumner and the newly arrived exorcist Kevin Leahy to determine whether the fires have a natural explanation or a supernatural cause. His investigation continues through to graduation day, where he questions Ellen about Leahy's true identity.

• taplinger
• investigation
• police
• fires
• sergeant

After the demonic threat is eliminated and Gelson dies, the school reopens for graduation. Lane returns for the ceremony with her burns healed, and Gelson appears led by a healthier version of herself - suggesting she was either freed from possession before death or the demonic influence has ended. The immediate threat is vanquished, though the community deals with the tragic losses and unresolved questions about Leahy.

• graduation
• school
• normal
• recovery
• ending