Ever watch a horror movie and think, "Man, that actor looks like they’re actually losing it"? Most of the time it’s just good lighting and a bit of corn syrup. But with The Possession of Michael King, things felt... different. You’ve probably seen the posters. The guy looking into a camera lens while his soul basically evaporates.
Honestly, the The Possession of Michael King cast is one of those rare groups that managed to make a "found footage" flick feel like something you shouldn't be watching. It wasn't just another Paranormal Activity clone. It was a character study of a man trying to pick a fight with the devil and getting exactly what he asked for.
Who Was Who in the Michael King Experiment?
At the center of this absolute spiral is Shane Johnson. He plays Michael King. Before this, you might have seen him in small TV roles, but here, he basically carries the entire 83 minutes on his back. Michael is a documentary filmmaker who loses his wife and decides, in a fit of grief-fueled spite, to prove that the supernatural is a lie.
It’s a gritty performance. Johnson doesn't just do the "scary face" thing. He loses weight. He looks sallow. He captures that specific brand of "I haven't slept in four days" insanity that makes the possession feel organic rather than just a special effect.
Then you have Ella Anderson as Ellie King, his daughter. Now, if the name sounds familiar, it's because she went on to be a huge Nickelodeon star in Henry Danger. Seeing her here as a seven-year-old caught in her dad’s occult meltdown is jarring. Her parents actually had to cover her eyes and ears when they watched the final cut with her.
The rest of the core family includes:
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- Julie McNiven as Beth King (Michael’s sister). She’s the voice of reason who, predictably, no one listens to.
- Cara Pifko as Samantha King. She plays the late wife whose death triggers the whole mess. Most of her performance is through old home videos, which adds that "ghostly" layer to the narrative.
The Rogues' Gallery of Occultists
What makes the The Possession of Michael King cast so effective isn't just the family; it’s the weirdos Michael interviews. Each one represents a different "flavor" of the dark arts.
Dale Dickey shows up as Beverly, a psychic Michael tries to debunk. If you know Dale Dickey from Winter’s Bone or Hell or High Water, you know she brings a certain grounded, earthy creepiness to everything she touches. She doesn't have much screen time, but she sets the tone perfectly.
Then there’s Tomas Arana as Augustine. He’s the "demonologist" who helps Michael summon the demon Haungore. Arana plays it with this greasy, basement-dwelling intensity. Along with Patricia Healy as Marsha, they give Michael an LSD concoction that—shocker—doesn't lead to a good time.
We also get Tobias Jelinek as Father Gibbons, a former Satanist turned priest. It’s a small role, but it adds to the "expert" testimony Michael is trying to tear down.
Why This Cast Worked Better Than Most
Most possession movies fail because the lead is a victim from the start. Michael King is an aggressor. He’s arrogant. He’s kind of a jerk to the people he’s interviewing.
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Because Shane Johnson plays him with such high-energy skepticism, the "crack" when he finally realizes he’s in trouble is much more satisfying. You aren't just watching a guy get haunted; you're watching a guy dismantle his own brain.
The chemistry—or lack thereof—between Michael and his cameraman Jordan (Jed Rees) is also worth noting. Jordan is the one who eventually nops out of the project when the cameras start flying across the room. Rees plays the "I’m just here for a paycheck" vibe until the fear becomes too real to ignore.
The Breakdown of Key Players
| Actor | Character | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Shane Johnson | Michael King | The skeptic who invites a demon in for a beer. |
| Ella Anderson | Ellie King | The innocent bystander in her father's breakdown. |
| Julie McNiven | Beth King | The "normal" person trying to keep the family together. |
| Dale Dickey | Beverly | The psychic who proves Michael might be wrong. |
| Tomas Arana | Augustine | The guy who provides the "tools" for the possession. |
The Legacy of the Performances
Looking back, the The Possession of Michael King cast did a lot with very little. This wasn't a big-budget studio film. It was a raw, low-budget indie that relied on physical acting.
Johnson’s performance involves a lot of "body contorting," which is a staple of the genre, but he makes it look painful. There's a scene where he carves a symbol into his chest—that’s not just makeup; it’s the commitment to the character’s desperation.
The film didn't win an Oscar, and critics were split on the third act (some found the "TV screen" stuff a bit cheesy). However, for horror fans, it remains a "cult" favorite specifically because the acting feels so uncomfortably personal.
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What to Watch Next if You Liked the Cast
If you were impressed by these actors, you should definitely check out their other work to see the range:
- Shane Johnson in the Power universe (he plays Cooper Saxe). It's a completely different vibe, showing he can do "calculated professional" just as well as "demon-possessed widower."
- Ella Anderson in Henry Danger or The Glass Castle. It’s wild to see how much she’s grown since this 2014 horror stint.
- Dale Dickey in basically anything. Seriously, she's a character actor legend.
If you're revisiting the movie, pay attention to the audio. An engineer in the film notes that Michael’s screams contain "multiple voices." While that's a sound design trick, the physical way Johnson delivers those lines is a masterclass in horror acting.
Keep an eye on David Jung, the director, too. While this was his debut, the way he managed this cast showed he knew how to get under an audience's skin without relying solely on jump scares.
Your Next Step: Go back and watch the "psychic reading" scene with Erica Bell (Anna Mountford). Watch Shane Johnson's face closely. The transition from smug disbelief to genuine, soul-deep terror is where the real "possession" happens. It's the best piece of acting in the whole movie.