Recent years have brought a newfound interest in horror films, whether it’s the discussion of “elevated horror” as a potential subgenre or renewed appreciation for the classics that inspired the current generation of filmmakers. While some studios and distributors have capitalized on this fresh wave of horror fanatics through official rereleases ofTammy and the T-Rexand George Romero’sThe Amusement Park, other horror films remain lost to their era, either being ludicrously difficult to locate or horrifically expensive to acquire.
One of these films was 1981’sPossession, a film that was both labeled as a"video nasty"in the United Kingdom and slashed from 124 minutes down to 81 in the United States. The film died on the vine, but for those who got to see it in its unedited glory, it was quite a sight to behold.
Now, according toComicBook,Possessionappears to be on Shudder’s slate of exclusive film releases in 2023, with a possibility that it’ll premiere on the service as early as January. Outside a handful of limited releases, this will be the first timePossessionhits the mainstream since its original release. Why should you be excited? Let’s find out.
What is Possession?
Possessionis a horror film that doesn’t fit neatly into a single genre, combining elements of psychological horror, body horror, and drama against the backdrop of the Cold War. An international spy, Mark, returns home to find that his wife, Anna, suddenly wants a divorce. From there, the line between what’s real or not starts to slowly unravel as Anna acts more and more erratic with each passing day, all while hallucinations and doppelgängers only intensify the increasing insanity.
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It marks Andrzej Żuławski’s only English film, with some notable cast members to boot: Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani both star as Mark and Anna respectively, each one bringing fantastic performance to their respective roles. Carl Duering ofA Clockwork Orangefamealso shows up, along with Heinz Bennent and Margit Carstensen. Together, they form an enthralling cast that accentuates the frayed atmosphere of a dissolved marriage, no doubt directly influenced by Żuławski’s divorce that occurred during the film’s production.
Seeing ashowPossessionwas a “video nasty,” or a film deemed so extreme by censorship standards, it was banned outright, there are plenty of boundary-pushing scenes. The appearance of a nightmarish creature slicked in what can only be described as tar-laden viscera is combined with scenes depicting self-harm with an electric knife, blood flying out from every orifice, dismembered limbs, and a handful of murders.Possessionis not for the faint of heart, and it won’t pull any punches in telling its own unique story.
Why You Should Be Hyped for Possession
Possessionis a film you should be excited about. It’s unconventional, it’s challenging, and it’s yet another addition to Shudder’s fantastic lineup of exclusive films.
What starts as a marriage drama slowly shifts and morphs into several other genres as it continues. From marriage drama, to romantic tragedy, to unrelenting horror, this all builds to an upsetting climax that’ll stick with you long after the credits roll. It’s a surreal, almost psychedelic film at times, leaving you wondering what exactly is real or not. All the while, a bluish-gray hue permeates every frame of the film, capturing the veil of misery and deceit that both Mark and Anna are experiencing, only occasionally broken up by the spatters of red blood, the viscous reflections of sinewy limbs, or the dull glow of artificial lights.
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It should be noted that, while the film does havebody horror, it’s not exactly focused on it. There’s a lot going on that you simply can’t edit out, as proven by the failure of the original United States cut. How the setting of the Cold War is reflected in the main conflict and how the use of doppelgängers reflects both Mark and Anna’s true desires were completely bastardized as a result, turning it into nothing more than an oddball gross-out movie. Not that there’s anything wrong with those, of course, butPossessionas a film simply can’t work as well if you trim out more than a third of its runtime.
Neill and Adjani were both profoundly affected by their performances in the film, as they struggled to return to their normal selves after production was completed. Despite the negative state both actors leftPossessionwith, their performances are absolutely something to behold.Possessionis possibly Neill’sbest horror performancenext toIn The Mouth of Madness. Adjani, meanwhile, steals the show: a certain scene taking place in a subway station is one performed with such an intensity, such a violent commitment to the character and performance that it has to be witnessed, whether in or out of context.
Possessionis yet another Shudder exclusive that demands your attention. It’s a film that was unfairly maligned during its original release outside of film festivals, but now that it can shine as intended in the modern age of horror appreciation, it absolutely deserves the attention it failed to receive initially.
