Dabbe: Demon Possession (Film)

Dabbe: Demon Possession is a 2013 Turkish horror film directed by Hasan Karacadağ. The film centers on a woman who, during her henna night, is attacked by demons and taken over by unidentified entities, exploring her experience and the cursed history of her village.

Plot

While preparing for her wedding, Kübra is attacked by demons during her henna night and her body is seized by mysterious forces. This eerie incident is not unprecedented in the village of Kıbledere, which has long been under the shadow of a cursed event tied to past treasure-hunting activities. To treat Kübra, psychiatrist Ebru—who is also Kübra’s former friend—travels to the village. Ebru collaborates with Faruk Akat, the Demon Exorcist, a specialist commonly consulted by locals in such cases. Ebru aims to record and analyze Faruk Akat’s exorcism session with the young woman, bringing religious practices face to face with scientific approaches. At first, everything appears under control, but the curse from the village’s past and a mysterious code that emerges begin to affect everyone, leading to terrifying moments.

Thematic Structure

• Conflict Between Religion and Science: The film juxtaposes religious practices such as demon exorcism with the scientific methodology of psychiatry, examining differing perspectives and approaches to supernatural phenomena.
• Cursed Past and Legacy: The village of Kıbledere’s cursed history, rooted in treasure-hunting incidents, forms the foundation of the current events. This theme explores the enduring impact of the past and the intergenerational transmission of curses.
• Demon Possession and Body Takeover: The film’s central horror element is the demons’ possession of human bodies and the horrifying consequences that follow. This is a recurring theme in Turkish horror cinema.
• Recording and Documentation: Psychiatrist Ebru’s effort to document the events on camera presents a narrative style akin to “found footage,” aiming to strengthen the perception of realism.

Production and Release Information

Dabbe: Demon Possession is a Turkish horror film written and directed by Hasan Karacadağ. The film was produced by J Plan and TAFF. With a runtime of 2 hours and 26 minutes, it was released in Turkish cinemas on 2 August 2013. Filming took place in Muğla, and distribution was handled by UIP Türkiye.

Cast

• Cansu Kurgun as Kübra Duran
• Irmak Örnek as Psychiatrist Ebru Karaduman
• A. Murat Özgen as Demon Exorcist Faruk Akat
• Sultan Köroğlu Kılıç
• Elçin Atamgüç
• Sabriye Günüç
• Orhan Gencer

Box Office Performance

Dabbe: Demon Possession earned a total of USD 2,005,958 worldwide. In Türkiye, it generated ₺352,012 in revenue and attracted 35,822 viewers during its opening weekend. Over its total 15-week theatrical run, the film accumulated ₺3,751,364 in revenue and was watched by 422,747 viewers.