A Chilling Glimpse Into Techno-Assassination

Read Time:4 Minute, 29 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Possessor Limited Edition 4K UHD & Blu-ray
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Genre: Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Year Released: 2020, 2024 Second Sight 4K/Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 43m
Director(s): Brandon Cronenberg
Writer(s): Brandon Cronenberg
Cast: Andrea Riseborough, Christopher Abbott, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sean Bean, Tuppence Middleton, Rossif Sutherland, Kaniehtiio Horn, Raoul Bhaneja
Where To Watch: available March 18, 2024; pre-order here www.secondsightfilms.co.uk, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Diving headfirst into the dystopian deep end, Brandon Cronenberg's POSSESSOR is a riveting ride that grips you from the moment the screen lights up. This isn't just a run-of-the-mill sci-fi horror; it's a thought-provoking exploration of identity wrapped in a visually stunning package. Andrea Riseborough delivers a knockout performance, navigating a sea of ethical questions and personal demons. Yet, amidst the eye candy and cerebral gymnastics, the plot sometimes leaves you wanting more meat on its narrative bones.

Cronenberg asserts his unique voice in the crowded sci-fi horror scene with POSSESSOR. He steers clear of the expected jump scares and instead opts for an intellectual and visceral experience. Riseborough, as Tasya Vos, is the film's anchor, portraying a character adrift in a whirlpool of identity theft and corporate espionage. The visuals by Karim Hussain are nothing short of art, painting a world that's as eerily beautiful as it is chilling, ensuring the ambiance is as much a character as the cast.

Yet, the brilliance of POSSESSOR's atmosphere and thematic depth is occasionally dimmed by a storyline that can feel like it's skirting the edges of coherence. The film's ambitious leap into the moral mazes of its tech-driven premise doesn’t always land with the clarity one might hope for. This narrative haziness can obscure the motivations driving its characters, leaving audiences piecing together a puzzle that's a couple of pieces that needs to be completed.

The film's ensemble, including the talents of Jennifer Jason Leigh and Christopher Abbott, adds a complex layer of human emotion and ethical ambiguity to the mix. They navigate a script on the precipice between sharp insight and perplexing vagueness, highlighting the murky waters of autonomy in a technology-dominated world.

The unsung heroes of POSSESSOR—the design and sound departments—craft an immersive sensory experience rare in today's cinematic landscape. The parallels between the sterile corporate world and its underbelly's raw, visceral reality are depicted with meticulous attention to detail.

POSSESSOR is a bold statement from Brandon Cronenberg, marking an evolution in his filmmaking journey. The movie challenges viewers to reflect on the ethical shades of gray in our technologically saturated lives, delivering a narrative as engaging as it is thought-provoking. Although it might not tie up every loose end in a neat bow, the film's ability to provoke discussion and evoke emotion cements its place as a must-see for those craving cinema that dares to venture into the darkness, armed with a flashlight of creativity and a map of complexity.

Special Features
Dual format edition including both UHD and Blu-ray with main feature and bonus features on both discs
UHD presented in Dolby Vision HDR approved by Director Brandon Cronenberg and Director of Photography Karim Hussain
New audio commentary by Brandon Cronenberg, Producer Rob Cotterill, Karim Hussain, and Special Effects Artist Dan Martin
This Unfamiliar Life: A New Interview with Brandon Cronenberg
Inside the Machine: a new interview with Karim Hussain
Feel the Real: a new interview with Rob Cotterill
Disassociating from Mind and Body: Zoë Rose Smith on Possessor
Camera Test Footage
FX Show and Tell with Dan Martin
Archive featurette: A Heightened World – A Look at Possessor
Archive featurette: Identity Crisis – Bringing Possessor to Life
Archive featurette: The Joy of Practical – The Effects of Possessor
Deleted Scenes
Short Film: Please Speak Continuously and Describe Your Experiences as They Come to You
Trailer

Limited Edition Contents
Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Marko Manev
A 120-page book featuring an extensive behind-the-scenes gallery, script-to-screen comparisons, new essays by Stacey Abbott, Anton Bitel, Jon Towlson, and Heather Wixson
Six collectors' art cards

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[photo courtesy of SECOND SIGHT FILMS]

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