The Possessed

The Possessed

Year: 1977

Runtime: 76 mins

Language: English

Director: Jerry Thorpe

Horror

A former priest, now an exorcist, battles the satanic forces that are threatening the students at a girls school.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Possessed (1977)

Trace every key event in The Possessed (1977) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Leahy returns as exorcist after fatal crash

Kevin Leahy dies in a car crash and is pronounced dead at the scene. As penance, he is sent back to Earth to fight evil as an exorcist and returns to life. This rebirth marks the beginning of a haunted chain of events at the Helen Page School.

Immediately after the accident Scene of the crash / Earth
2

Strange fire in Ellen's typewriter

During the run-up to graduation, a page from Ellen Sumner's typewriter bursts into flames, frightening the staff. Reports of unexplained fires surface around the campus, suggesting something supernatural at work. The fires hint at a looming crisis for the school.

Before graduation season begins Ellen's office, Helen Page School
3

Dorm prank escalates and curtains ignite

Lane, Alex, Celia, and Marty smear Weezie's bed with ketchup and other liquids as a prank. When Weezie returns to her dorm, the curtains burst into flames, heightening fear among the students. Gelson orders the girls to leave the dorms to escape the danger.

Evening before graduation Weezie's dorm, Helen Page School
4

Lane's gown bursts into flames during practice

During graduation practice, Lane's gown bursts into flames; Ellen and Paul Winjam rush to extinguish the blaze, but Lane is burned. The incident compounds the sense that the fires are targeted and possibly supernatural. The school begins to fear a larger threat.

During practice Graduation practice area, Helen Page School
5

Investigation begins: Taplinger arrives

Sergeant Taplinger arrives to investigate the fires. Ellen argues that the incidents seem random and supernatural, urging a thorough inquiry. Leahy is summoned to help examine the possibility of a paranormal cause behind the flames.

After Lane's incident Helen Page School / town
6

Visit to Lane in the hospital

Leahy and Ellen visit Lane in the hospital, where she receives treatment for burns. They discuss the ongoing fires and the possibility that a supernatural force is at work. Lane's condition underscores the peril facing the school.

Following Lane's burn Lane's hospital
7

Weezie confesses and Winjam tragedy unfolds

Weezie confesses to Leahy that she had visited Mr. Winjam late to study biology, hinting at a possible romance. That night, in the biology room, Weezie and Winjam meet and his jacket bursts into flames as he dies after being locked out. The confession adds fuel to a web of secrets around the faculty.

That night Biology room; Winjam's office
8

Gelson's affair revealed and classes suspended

The next day Leahy finds Gelson crying in Winjam's office and realizes she and Winjam had been romantically involved. The revelation strains school leadership and relations, and Gelson suspends classes to regain control. Tension spreads as fear and rumors swirl through the campus.

The day after Winjam's death Winjam's office
9

Campus turmoil grows: suspensions and departures

Gelson's involvement triggers broader turmoil as classes are suspended and several students leave the campus. Remaining students and staff struggle to maintain order amid fear of ongoing fires. Leahy and Ellen attempt to stabilize the situation under mounting pressure.

After revelation Helen Page School
10

Night of fear: Gelson confronts the students

That night, Weezie encounters Gelson wandering the hallways; Gelson screams and slaps her, signaling a deepening breakdown of leadership. The episode heightens the sense that the school is under a malevolent influence. The students brace for what comes next.

That night School corridors
11

Dorms locked, chaos and a dramatic escape

The remaining girls smell smoke and find themselves locked in their dormitories. Gelson unlocks the rooms and leads them away as Leahy searches for her, the air thick with danger. The campus teeters on the edge of a full supernatural outbreak.

Soon after the previous night Dormitories
12

Final confrontation at the pool

In the college pool area, Gelson, possessed, confronts Leahy and the students as they are evacuated. Leahy's jacket catches fire, but the flames extinguish themselves; he embraces Gelson as she catches fire again and he leaps into the pool, disappearing. The school braces for the aftermath.

During the final confrontation Helen Page School swimming pool
13

Graduation day: aftermath and fragile peace

The college reopens for graduation as Taplinger questions Ellen about Leahy's identity and whereabouts. She admits she does not know who he was or where he went. Lane returns for the graduation ceremony, led by a healthier Gelson, signaling a fragile peace after the ordeal.

Graduation day Helen Page School

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:33

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Supernatural Faith Battles like in The Possessed

Stories where religious figures confront supernatural evil in a battle of wills.Explore movies like The Possessed where the central conflict pits religious faith against demonic forces. If you enjoyed the intense exorcism and the thematic struggle between good and evil, this thread features similar horror stories with priests, exorcists, and supernatural threats that challenge belief systems.

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Narrative Summary

Movies in this thread follow a linear, often straightforward narrative where a supernatural threat emerges, requiring the intervention of a specialized religious expert. The plot escalates through a series of confrontations, testing the protagonist's resolve and faith, and builds toward a climactic, intense ritual or battle to banish the evil, often at a great personal cost.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the thematic clash between institutional religion and supernatural evil. They consistently feature a dark tone, high intensity, heavy emotional weight centered on existential dread, and a steady pacing that builds toward a definitive, often costly, confrontation.

Haunted Institution Stories like The Possessed

Tales of malevolent forces preying on the inhabitants of secluded communities.Discover more movies like The Possessed where a secluded community or institution is besieged by a supernatural threat. If you liked the oppressive atmosphere of a girls' school under demonic siege, this thread collects similar tales of hidden evil within hospitals, schools, and remote facilities.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves the introduction of a threat into a closed community, followed by a series of unexplained, sinister events that escalate the fear and paranoia among the inhabitants. An investigation ensues, revealing a hidden past or secret that fuels the evil, culminating in a confrontation that threatens to destroy the institution and everyone in it.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific setting-driven horror vibe: the corruption of a safe space. They are united by an anxious, oppressive mood, a steady pacing that builds dread, the theme of hidden evil being exposed, and a dark tone where the sanctuary itself becomes a trap.

Unlock the Full Story of The Possessed

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Possessed in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Possessed is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Possessed Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Possessed, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Possessed Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Possessed

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Possessed. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Possessed

More About The Possessed

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More About The Possessed

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