Let me preface this by saying this was the third time I've seen this movie. Let me follow that up by saying that I think it is incredibleeeeeeeeeee. Possessor is directed by Brandon Cronenberg, son of iconic Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg. David has made his name largely through brilliant and gruesome body horror, and Brandon leaves none of that gore behind. This film follows what is essentially a hitman organization for high end clients, performing assassinations by taking control of the minds of people close to the target. In this case, star assassin Tasya Voss (played by Andrea Riseborough), is taking over Colin Tate, the disappointing boyfriend of a wealthy business owner's daughter.
There is a lot to unpack with this film that I won't be able to here, as it's hard to go too far in depth without spoilers and this is definitely a film people should go in knowing as little as possible. That being said, I can freely comment on the craft on display, which is magnificent from nearly every department. Narratively this will divide people, as it shies away from straightforward and clear storytelling, but I love the way Cronenberg allows the audience to fill in gaps. For some that won't work, but as someone that likes to be mentally challenged to a degree I found the way this played out really strong. Cronenberg also has a lot of patience in the way he allows the story to unfold, and the cinematography and score by Jim Williams help build that patient but building tone that allows Cronenberg to deliver a strong payoff. The gore in this film is also next level. Whether it be brutal kills or experimental editing to show the assassins taking over someone's mind, the practical effects are really something special here. That experimental editing is also either insane or pure nightmare fuel, it is crazy. The production design also needs to be mentioned as it aids in creating the world of the film, and that world is one of the big intrigues of the film.
All that technical prowess makes this film really strong, but the performances make it something truly special. As I stated before, Andrea Riseborough plays the lead assassin, and while I haven't seen much of her work this is the best I've seen. Her job makes her very disconnected from the world and Riseborough shows that really well in countless scenes throughout the film. With very little character development we can see the way this line of work has impacted her, and that is all thanks to this performance. However, Riseborough isn't even the strongest performance in the film. Colin is played by Christopher Abbott, who gives one of the best performances of the year in my opinion. Abbott has to play Colin, but also Tasya performing as Colin, and the way Abbott portrays this internal conflict is fascinating. He is able to play essentially two identical characters but with one just a bit off, and the small gestures or mannerisms he uses to do so make this role feel really special. Recent years of horror have been dominated by brilliant female performances, whether they be Florence Pugh in Midsommar, Toni Collette in Hereditary, Anya Taylor Joy in The Witch, Elizabeth Moss in The Invisible Man, and the list just keeps going on. Abbott is one of two male performances alongside Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out that I consider in the same vein as these incredible women. They are able to do so because they don't conform to the traditional roles of male horror actors. Abbott and Kaluuya give performances that are vulnerable, allowing them both to bring a level of emotional depth that other male actors just can't. For example, in A Quiet Place Emily Blunt gives an amazing vulnerable and emotionally gripping performance, while John Krasinski plays a very traditionally alpha-male horror hero. He is still good in the movie, but this idea of the traditional male hero gets in the way of his performance coming near the strength of Blunt's. Horror movies exist amongst dire circumstances, and in those circumstances the characters are put in a vulnerable place. So by having these female actors portraying such strong emotional vulnerability they are able to give performances that not only fit the film and circumstances, but also show their emotional range, and that's what we get to see from Abbott in this film. Abbott still has some tough moments, as do all the female performances I listed earlier, but they still hold that vulnerability that makes the performance believable and strong. And on that note, I should also mention that Jennifer Jason Leigh and Sean Bean also appear in this film and they're both great.
This film is very much not for everyone. It is brutal, it is bloody, and it is mentally challenging. But as someone who loves horror and loves well crafted cerebral Sci-Fi, this is a film I can't help but keep coming back to.
Rating: 4.5/5
Written by Matt McKenzie
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