Directed, written by and starring Dayan D. Oualid, this short explores Dan (Oualid), who studies scripture all day, but has been asked by Sarah (Sophie Arama) to help her husband Eli (Michael Charny), who seems not himself. He’s possessed, but what follows isn’t what we’ve come to expect from Western films. He gathers a minyan, a quorum of ten Jewish adults required for certain religious obligations which in this case is casting out a demon.

They get ready like Rambo, but their weapons are verses on their arms, prayer wraps and a small horn. The ritual they go through seems exhausting, much more than any modern exorcism movie with all the crazy ghost traps and night vision. This doesn’t need herky jerky demons and strobing effects to be powerful and terrifying.

The end of the film, as Dan stands surrounded by the boxes that hold these demons and just lets out a scream as he’s made it through again, is so powerful and emotional, as is the ideal music that forms the score. I wish that there was more of this.

Dibbuk is part of the new Severin box set, All the Haunts Be Ours Volume 2.

You can order this set from Severin.