Amityville II: The Possession, the film that proudly takes “dysfunctional family drama” and mixes it with “oh God, why” into a blender labeled 1982 Horror. Watching this is like receiving a postcard from Hell that says: Wish you were here… preferably possessed.
First, let’s talk about the plot. The Montelli family moves into the same house that allegedly spawned nightmares in the first film, and immediately, the rules of common sense check out early and never return. Anthony Montelli is like every abusive patriarch in a bad infomercial, only his product is misery and his tagline is “If I yell at them enough, they’ll fear God… or me.” Meanwhile, the house itself behaves like a malevolent Airbnb, smacking children, throwing tantrums, and possibly writing Yelp reviews in blood.
Then there’s the demonic possession. Sonny goes full “I am evil incarnate, also mildly confused teen” and drags poor Patricia into an incident so profoundly uncomfortable that it makes you wish the movie had a parental advisory… or a sledgehammer to your TV. It’s the sort of scene that gives “home invasion horror” a whole new meaning—like, your family is not just invaded, it’s spiritually assaulted while doing your laundry. And yes, it’s incestuous, because nothing says demonic chaos like making your audience consider skipping dessert forever.
Director Damiano Damiani somehow manages to keep a straight face while showing demonic contortions that look suspiciously like someone trying to do yoga after lunch. The cinematography is competently competent; nothing pops, nothing frightens, and yet somehow every shot is meticulously designed to remind you that you are wasting 90 minutes of your life on bad acting and worse decisions.
Then there’s the ending. Sonny’s soul is freed, but the demon transfers to Father Adamsky, because why let a film end without one last cruel little note to your soul? It’s like the movie whispers, “Oh, you thought this was over? Sucker.” The house gets sold to the Lutz family, promising more generational trauma—because this franchise apparently subscribes to the philosophy of “If you can’t traumatize one family, sell the same house to another.”
Acting is… let’s be generous and call it committed. Burt Young’s Anthony is a cocktail of rage and Italian soap opera clichés, Rutanya Alda as Dolores alternates between pleading and despair like she’s reading the daily horoscope for emotional guidance, and Jack Magner’s Sonny swings between “demonic menace” and “oh, did I forget to pick up my homework?” with zero middle ground.
All in all, Amityville II is the cinematic equivalent of a haunted meatloaf: you know you shouldn’t eat it, but curiosity—and a perverse sense of masochism—keeps you chewing. It’s offensive, uncomfortable, and yet oddly mesmerizing. Darkly funny if your sense of humor involves imagining demonic possession at family dinner, it’s the sort of horror film that leaves you clutching your Bible, your sanity, and maybe a bottle of bourbon for the next viewing.
In short: disturbing, awkward, and gloriously terrible—a true gem for anyone who enjoys horror that makes them question humanity, God, and the casting director’s life choices.
Cast James Olson as Father Frank Adamsky Burt Young as Anthony Montelli Rutanya Alda as Dolores Montelli Jack Magner as Sonny Montelli Diane Franklin as Patricia Montelli Brent Katz as Mark Montelli Erika Katz as Jan Montelli Andrew Prine as Father Tom Leonardo Cimino as Chancellor Moses Gunn as Detective Burt Turner Ted Ross as Mr. Booth Petra Lea as Mrs. Greer Martin Donegan as Detective Cortez Production
