Traumatika is one of those horror films that truly lingers. Not just because of the scares, but because of its deeply unsettling emotional impact. Directed by Pierre Tsigaridis, the film is a mix of possession horror and psychological trauma, and while it doesn’t always balance those elements perfectly, it definitely makes an impression.

The first half of the movie is intense. We meet Abigail, played by Rebekah Kennedy, who is absolutely terrifying in the role. Her performance is raw, physical, and uncomfortable in all the right ways. You really believe she’s being consumed by something both supernatural and deeply personal. The possession scenes are shot in this claustrophobic, first-person style that puts you right in the middle of the chaos. It’s disorienting and immersive, which makes the scares hit even harder.

Then the movie shifts gears about halfway through. We jump forward in time and focus on Abigail’s sister, Alice, who’s trying to move on from everything by writing a book about what happened. At this point, the movie shifts more into slasher territory, with a masked killer stalking Alice as she grapples with the consequences of her past. It’s bloody, stylish, and keeps the energy up, but the tonal change is jarring. Honestly, it feels like two different films stitched together: one’s a gut-wrenching possession story, the other’s a pulpy revenge thriller.

That said, even when it stumbles, Traumatika is never boring. It’s brutal, visually striking, and packed with enough disturbing imagery to make your skin crawl. What sets it apart is how it uses horror as a metaphor for abuse and trauma. It’s not just scares for the sake of scares, there’s something deeper running underneath.

It’s messy, yes, but also bold, disturbing, and unforgettable. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but worth watching if you want a horror film that takes risks.

Rebekah Kennedy Talks Traumatika, Horror, and Her Love for Complex Roles