Film Title
Possession
Director
Andrzej Żuławski
Starring
- Sam Neill as Mark
- Isabelle Adjani as Anna/Helen
Possession has to rank as one of the most disturbing and unusual films out there that I’ve ever seen. A blend of drama and horror, that plays out the disintegrating marriage of a couple with monstrous intent and cloaks of ambiguity, it’s a movie that you won’t forget in a hurry because if the sheer strangeness and horrifying vision at play.
A man named Mark returns to his home in Berlin to see his wife Anna and young son Bob, from a secretive job abroad. Yet nothing can prepare him for what greets him. Anna wants to leave him and quickly becomes hysterical when he tries to question her. Their relationship soon descends into screaming attacks, violence and even bouts of self-mutilation. Also adding to frustration and worrying decline of Mark is the fact that Anna disappears for long times and when she returns home is vague about her whereabouts. Mark continues to grow more worryingly obsessed by Anna and she grows more unpredictable, raging and secretive. He also glimpses a Helen, a schoolteacher for his son who bears a striking resemblance to his wife, but because he is so besotted and slowly slipping into mania, he focuses on his unusual wife. Deducing that she has been having an affair with a smarmy and flamboyant man called Heinrich. Mark takes it upon himself to get answers about his estranged wife and confronts the man, who it turns out hasn’t seen Anna for a long time. Yet what Anna is hiding from Mark is much more twisted and horrifying than anyone could have possibly imagined or fathomed: a tentacled creature that she literally kills for, makes love to and hides away in a squalid apartment. It’s safe to say that obsession, murder and violence explode with hysteria for both Mark and Anna as their relationship is laid bare.
Andrzej Żuławski masterfully constructs this horror/drama with intensity, verve and something quite personal. Some will say that the premise sounds ridiculous, but Żuławski sidesteps this by rooting the majority of the film in the shocking and crumbling relationship of the real world. Emotions are ramped up to eleven between the two main characters and madness ensues as the relationship becomes a brutal war of unpredictability and unfurling horror. The symbolism of doubles and divides is very apparent in Possession; from Anna’s doppelgänger to the Berlin Wall as a backdrop frequently seen, these things burrow into the mind with their well-executed traits. Possession succeeds through its use of ambiguity that never give the audience an easy answer, opening it up to endless possibilities and opinions. Is what we see purely Mark’s interpretation of Anna? Is the monster a symbol for Anna’s self-destructiveness or their failing relationship? These questions only give more life and mystery to the film which is anything but traditional or orthodox. One word of advice when viewing Possession, don’t eat while watching it as there are numerous scenes that will make your stomach turn and induce queasiness. Chief among these scenes and one that is particularly difficult to watch is Anna’s breakdown in the subway. Convulsing violently for what seems like an eternity before bleeding profusely, it’s a horrifying scene for what is shown and the fierce commitment of Isabelle Adjani to the part. Possession isn’t a film for every taste out there, but for those blessed with strong stomachs up for a challenge this is a film to watch. An oppressive and grey cinematography is exemplary at backing up the grim nature of the relationship shown and envelops the experience in gloomy colours. A sparse but creepy score helps add tension and animosity to the film, mirroring the destructive union that is torn apart in disturbing fashion.
Sam Neill is marvellously cast as the obsessed Mark, whose mental faculties slowly fall into decline at his wife’s rejection. Neill portrays the descent into madness with shocking assurance and creepiness. Yet for my money, I can’t quite recall seeing a performance in recent memory of such raw power and volcanic emotion as the one from Isabelle Adjani here. She gives her body and soul to the role of Anna and colours it in manic fury and unbridled ferocity. Even when she’s still, Adjani’s eyes are filled with such terrifying intensity that it’s difficult to look away. Many actresses can play frightening and unusual well, but Adjani seems to genuinely live it crafting a performance of self-destructive craziness, terrifying eruptions of rage and an oddly alluring surface. Both actors are fantastic in their difficult roles, but for me Adjani edges it with a thoroughly committed performance.
A surreal and extremely stomach churning movie, Possession won’t provide comfortable cosy viewing, but it will imprint itself on you with its disquieting story and ferocious performances.
Jordan Dodd said:
Wow how have I not seen this?? It has Sam Neill and sounds like something I’d freaking LOVE! I’m hitting up imdb right now..
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vinnieh said:
I believe it was really controversial on release and became something of an art house hit, as opposed to mainstream one.
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Jordan Dodd said:
I’ve just scored a cheap copy off ebay. I really like Sam O’Niell and this movie sounds awesome. Cheers man!
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vinnieh said:
I would love to hear what you thought of it Jordan as it’s a film of so many questions and possible avenues.
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beetleypete said:
This came out in 1981, and I can’t believe it has totally slipped my radar for all that time, but I have never heard of it. Solid cast, and looks good too. I might have to search this one out on DVD.
Cheers, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
It was one of the Video Nasties Pete, so that might explain why it wasn’t widely seen at the time. Over the years, it’s gathered quite a following and it isn’t hard to see why. One of the most unusual films I’ve ever seen.
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beetleypete said:
Just plonked it on the Amazon wish list!
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vinnieh said:
You are in for a strange and mightily disturbing experience Pete.
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beetleypete said:
I might get it for Christmas!
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vinnieh said:
Just don’t watch it over dinner!
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fragglerocking said:
Ummmm, lol, moving on… 😉
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vinnieh said:
It’s not a film for everyone, may be too extreme for some.
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ninvoid99 said:
Holy shit. I saw this a few years ago and…. it fucked me up. It was nuts. I wanna see it again.
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vinnieh said:
It’s one of the most unusual and downright crazy movies I’ve ever seen.
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Damien Riley said:
It sounds great the way you e laid it out. It’s cool to see Sam Neill so young. I’ll see if I can get it and let you know my thoughts. Meanwhile, have you seen ‘Spring’ from 2015? When I heard about a certain detail, it made me think of it.
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vinnieh said:
I haven’t heard of Spring, but I’m always happy to check out recommendations from fellow bloggers.
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emmakwall said:
He looks so young doesn’t he! (just looked up some pics)
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Jay said:
Vinnie, I think you gave me heartburn just reading this!
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vinnieh said:
Wait until you get to the movie, it’s super intense!
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Jay said:
Over the counter intense or prescription intense? Zantac? Tums? Rolaids?
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vinnieh said:
It’s a tough call. You’ll probably survive by not eating while watching it.
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emmakwall said:
My reaction after reading this review – WTF?!
🙂
Awesome review Vinnie, very tantalizing and well written (as ever). I can’t believe I haven’t seen this! I’m not even sure I’d HEARD of it. I really, really want to watch this, it sounds fantastically weird and nightmarish. A tentacled creature she kills for and makes love to?! I NEED TO SEE THIS!
Sam Neill loves his nightmarish films, he’s been in a few! (Event Horizon my fave)
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vinnieh said:
Thanks Emma, it’s a movie of so many levels. It’s very atypical and different from a lot of horror out there. Be prepared for nightmares and butterflies in your stomach.
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emmakwall said:
Nightmares and butterflies in my stomach? Dude you should BE a movie critic, that’s pretty much the most amazing tagline for a film EVER!
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vinnieh said:
Aww, you flatter me so Emma. I sincerely thank you for that lovely comment.
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emmakwall said:
Well it’s all true, you are a very capable and talented writer 🙂
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vinnieh said:
My ego is getting a real boost.
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emmakwall said:
Good 🙂
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vinnieh said:
It’s good to get an ego boost every once in a while.
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Rincewind said:
Haven’t seen it but will put it on my to watch list…
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vinnieh said:
Be prepared for a weird experience.
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Lloyd Marken said:
In that first photo I didn’t even recognise Sam Neil and Isabela looked like Keira Knightley. I’ll have to check this out.
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vinnieh said:
I can see a resemblance to Knightley there now that you mention it.
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