Possessor is a 2020 Sci-Fi Psychological horror film written and directed by Brandon Cronenberg and stars Andrea Riseborough, Christopher Abbott, Rossif Sutherland, Tuppence Middleton, Sean Bean and Jennifer Jason Leigh. The film centres around an assassin who kill her targets by possessing their bodies but finds herself fighting to control her current host. Although not a body horror film like his father’s work, Censor is a great sci-fi horror film with great visuals, an interesting premise and lots of violence.
The direction in the film is great. All the actors work well together Andrea Riseborough playing an interesting character who must juggle both her normal life as a mum/wife and her life as an assassin. Her role allows to give of an alien like vibe throughout the film as everything feels somewhat distant and artificial. The mood of the film is bleak and oppressive in a near future type of way with soulless company’s and detached people. The style of the film is also interesting this near future slight dystopian world is very interesting with its mind controlling technology that makes the whole film feel like a Black Mirror episode.
The acting in the film is good Andrea Riseborough does a great job as Tasya. Her assassin work makes her somewhat detached to the world and her family although not uncaring towards them its interesting seeing her change of emotions thought the film with her ultimately destroying her humanity as the film goes on. Cristopher Abbott does a god job as Colin Tate. He plays a bit of a loser but a sympathetic character. He is with the daughter of the head of the company he works for, and utility feels in over his head. His boss belittles him and is ultimately looked down on allowing the film to make us feel synthetic for the person Tasya is controlling. Jennifer Jason Leigh does a good job as Girder. She plays Tasya’s emotionless and controlling boss who ultimately wishes she would reject her human self and become a pure killing machine. Sean Bean does a good job as John Parse. He plays a cold ruthless businessman who hates Collin and belittles his relationship to his daughter. Tuppence Middleton does a good job as Ava Parse Michaels daughter and a more loving and caring character especially towards Colin.
In terms of writing the film is quite interesting. The film defiantly has a Black Mirror type feel and the dystopian world it creates is very interesting. The technology involved in these assassinations is very interesting as well. The way that it is shown that this takes a toll on Tasya’s life making her become less human witch is an interesting angel that is explored throughout the film.
The cinematography the film is good. There are some great uses of camera angels and movement throughout the film giving the film another worldly sci-fi look. The film also uses colourful lighting again lending to the otherworldly feel and giving the film an arthouse vibe. There is also lots of great bizarre imagery within the film which further helps to showcase the strange otherworldly nature of the film.
The special effects in the film are good. The film is bloody and violent with the practical blood effects working very well in the film. A lot of the weird imagery is done in camera meaning a use of practical lighting, costumes and other effects were used to create the surreal imagery shown as opposed to being edited in in post.
Overall Possessor is a great Sci-Fi horror film. The film defiantly showcases flashes of his father’s work, but Brandon establishes himself as a unique voice giving his own flair in this crazy sci fi horror film.