For a good scare coupled with quality narrative, “The Exorcist” and “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” are more likely to scare the hell into you. “The Possession”, however, has a few charms while still managing to evoke the expected good scare. It’s only got enough juice as a “see-oncer”, but that’s a far grander feat than most horror flicks this year.

Matisyahu appears as Tzadok, who helps fight the demon possessing young Em, played by Natasha Calis, in “The Possession”. (photo by Diyah Pera, courtesy of Lionsgate Entertainment )

The Christian doctrine, specifically Catholicism, largely dominates the exorcism movie genre. Whether it’s a priest or estranged demon fighter trying to cast out an evil entity, the crucifix and other Christian artifacts transform into the weapons of choice against those that dwell within.

At a garage sale, this mysterious box with a Hebrew inscription finds its way to Em (Natasha Calis), a cheerful and intuitive girl who is more importantly, innocent. The box begins to change Em, much to the concern of her father, Clyde (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Unfortunately, Clyde is the unreliable ex-husband, and nobody considers him an authentic voice on parenting. So when bruises appear on Em’s body, Clyde is suspect number one, while the demon in the box goes unnoticed.

Clyde’s wife, Stephanie (Kyra Sedgwick), and daughter, Hannah (Madison Davenport), remain skeptical about who — or what — is causing Em’s pain. Hasidic community member, Tzadok (played by performing artist Matisyahu), believes, and he is willing to help in the film’s climactic exorcism.

Of course “The Possession” is a formula film, but the real question is, does the film make you squirm or shriek? In part, yes on both accounts. It’s a subtle story, but here’s the catch: if you don’t believe demon possession can actually occur, the film probably won’t have enough visceral entertainment. But for believers of any faith, the concept of a demon taking residence in your body is far from comforting, especially if that evil presence enters by way of hundreds of moths heading down your throat. It’s slightly disturbing, even if a tad overly familiar.

Calis’ performance as the tortured possessed doesn’t compare to her accursed sisterhood of films past. Still, she moves like a hungry animal when needed and knows how to stare down anyone while the foreign spirit exacts its revenge on a world it loathes, especially those who might prevent her permanent residence in Em’s body.

Morgan (as Clyde) is no stranger to horror, with his role on The CW’s horror series, “Supernatural”, where he played John, the mysterious father of the Winchester brothers. Morgan might not have the charisma of more versatile actors, but he continually polishes a screen persona worth viewing.

In all honesty, Matisyahu, a popular Jewish reggae performer, makes this film –– not because he proves that musicians effectively make the crossover into acting (though he’s not bad), but simply because he channels elements of his real life to the screen. We first meet him in a Hasidic community singing along to his iPod. He’s a Jewish hipster who thinks vastly differently from others in his religious community, and he provides a dash of much needed humor in an often too serious film.

The most disappointing thing about the film is that “The Possession” is often too tame. The film relies on the intensity of Anton Sanko’s score, perhaps a bit too much. In many scenes, the music oversells the (lack of) action, providing the anticipated jolt effect merely through sound, rather than visually. Further, while the few scary jolts in the film make it watchable, too much time passes between fright and good night. The story is only so interesting, and the style through which it’s told — namely the emotional effect it has on audiences — is too safe. It needed to be creepier and scarier rather than serve as an attempt to appeal to a broader audience with something watered down.

“The Possession” won’t stand out in a crowd, but it is still worth viewing on a hot Sunday afternoon. Watch, enjoy and leave with a mild sense of satisfaction. But if you need something that truly scares, you’re in luck, because as the heat of summer dies down, the horror films flock to the theatre in waves.