Overview
INHUMAN ECSTASY FULFILLED.
A young woman left her family for an unspecified reason. The husband determines to find out the truth and starts following his wife. At first, he suspects that a man is involved. But gradually, he finds out more and more strange behaviors and bizarre incidents that indicate something more than a possessed love affair.
Review
Possession is an extraordinary film. I still run across reviews that state the acting is atrocious, pointing to overacting. But these reviewers miss the point. The way Isabelle Adjani moves or speaks, the way Sam Neill carries himself, or especially Heinz Bennent (as Heinrich) being flamboyant and out there—these are essential to make this movie come together.
Director Andrzej Żuławski employs a distinctive visual style, characterized by frenetic camerawork, expressionistic lighting, and surreal imagery. This pairs nicely with the frenetic way the characters come across. Then the film’s cinematography creates a sense of disorientation and unease, mirroring the psychological turmoil experienced by the characters.
Reveal Spoiler Paragraphs
It’s a bold movie to be released back in 1981 and the oozing, very wet creature effects are outstanding. Sam Neill’s character (Mark) must’ve been thinking he couldn’t win. First, it was Henrich taking his wife, then the tentacles come in to the picture. Talk about insecurity: how can a man with only one sex organ compare to that creature? I’d have just threw up my arms and walked away at that point.
Also, since this is spoiler territory: what about poor Bob? Bob floats. In 2024 (at the time of this review) it feels comical to refer to a child character by the name of ‘Bob’.
Possession earns its cult classic status as it brilliantly explores the destructive nature of obsession and the lengths people will go to in order to fulfill their desires. Even if it means sacrificing their own sanity. The film also examines the complexities of human relationships, particularly the darker aspects of love and intimacy.
Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)
