Possessor follows an agent who works for a secretive organization that uses brain-implant technology to inhabit other people’s bodies – ultimately driving them to commit assassinations for high-paying clients.
First, the movie kicks off with a beautiful score that already makes you wish you saw the film in theaters. You have this intense scene to start the film where it’s gruesome, bloody, vicious, and aggression that you are reeled in within a matter of moments.
After this transpires, we understand Tasya Vos (Andrea Riseborough) mission is simple as she is tasked with overtaking people’s bodies and fulfilling the job’s mission and executing the body. Sounds super simple, right?
Moving on, we see that she is trapped with this job, and she lost her family, and she wants them back, but this system has control over her and what she does. You notice this takes a toll on Vos within each job as she gets sloppier and sloppier with each one.
Next, I could not get over the fact Christopher Abbot looked like Kit Harrington, but outside of that, I thought he was phenomenal in the film. Within the Role of Colin Tate, he had to play this dual like role, and the way he came in and out of them was great. In parts of the film, you were not sure who was in control, which is 100% on Abbot’s acting abilities.
In addition to Abbot, Riseborough gives one of the best female performances of the year. As each act progressed, we witnessed Vos’s evolution, and Riseborough just showcased this transformation throughout the film. The sheer emotional range she gives within this role makes the movie must watch.
Also, I have got to give massive amounts of credit to Brandon Cronenberg, who took a hell of a lot of risk throughout this film. The unique way he uses one person to be inside another but not having full control was well done. Whether they were having sex or getting ready to kill someone, you didn’t know who was in control, and I liked that.
Above all, the third act was incredibly shot by Cronenberg, the pacing was perfect, the angles of which the shot was presented to us were spot on, and while you knew what was going on, you had zero clues what was going to happen.
Lastly, The final fifteen minutes of this film is what I love about filmmakers willing to take a risk. I promise this will be hands down one of the most talked-about scenes of the year as some will like it and some will hate it. But for me, as someone who loves the risk, it paid off.
The Verdict:
Possessor is the perfect psychological thriller that is original, creepy and will keep you guessing for days.
Jacob is a film critic and co-founder of the Music City Drive-In. He is a member of the Music City Film Critics’ Association and specializes in the awards season. You can find him on Twitter @Tberry57.
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