An American Haunting

Dignified actors writhe on the floor, scream at flapping windows and otherwise make fools of themselves in yet another possession movie, the fourth in as many months (we’re not even counting The Devil and Daniel Johnston). After a portentous title card promises the “most documented haunting in American history,” we’re plunked down in 1818 Tennessee, where young Betsy Bell (Hurd-Wood) begins to suffer supernaturally—the usual bed bouncing and ghostly hair pulling—for the sins of the father (Sutherland), a usurer. Will the power of Christ compel you...to the theater? Only if you dial up your resilience to corn to 11. (Opens Fri.)—Joshua Rothkopf