Possessor Uncut review by Bobby Blakey
Director David Cronenberg has churned out some great flicks including The Fly, A History of Violence and so many more. Now his son Brandon Cronenberg has been stepping into the director’s chair as well carving out his own niche in the industry. His latest film, Possessor stars Andrea Riseborough, Christopher Abbott, Sean Bean and Jennifer Jason Leigh and has Cronenberg taking on both writing and directing duties. Could this film be worth getting possessed or will it need an exorcism?
Possessor follows Tasya Vos, a corporate agent who uses brain-implant technology to inhabit other people's bodies, driving them to commit assassinations for the benefit of the company. While she has a special gift for the work, her experiences on these jobs have caused a dramatic change in her, and in her own life she struggles to suppress violent memories and urges. As her mental strain intensifies, she begins to lose control, and soon she finds herself trapped in the mind of a man whose identity threatens to obliterate her own.
Going into this I was expecting a horror film from the poster art, but instead got something more in the sci-fi thriller genre with a hint of some gore. This was not a bad twist and instead made the film all the more intriguing. I will say that that this is a strange film that won’t work for everyone, but for me when it was all said and done it delivered more than I expected. The pacing is very slow by design and will likely lose some with this as it moves into a strange direction. For me it helped to build the tension to the strange world we are working with and the directions of the characters.
The cast are great bringing some subtle torment to themselves as things play out. Despite Andrea Risebourough being the lead she is not seen as much as you would thin since she is inhabiting other bodies. Most of the heavy lifting is
left to Christopher Abbott. He has the job of carrying two personalities at once and does a great job. The way it’s all played out is original and engaging if not a bit convoluted at times. The direction it ultimately goes might leave some upset or even confused to why or what’s the point, but for me it kind of made sense. Obviously I cannot explain this without giving it all away and that is not going to happen.
As mentioned there is some gore here and while this isn’t a horror film Croneneberg pulls no punches here. Thee graphic nature of the kills is visual perfection if not intense depending on your stomach for these kinds of things. It works to remind you of the real nature of her job and character as she carries out these hits and leaves no room for sympathy for her or her own situation which made me dig it all the more.
If there was any question to the next generation of this filmmakers ability this film will certainly cement him in his own place. Love it or hate, there is no denying that this movie is visually stunning, captivating and memorable. In addition to the film this release features bonus content including deleted scenes and behind the scenes footage. Grab your copy of Possessor available now on digital and then on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD on December 8th from Well Go USA.