396. Possessor; movie review

 

 

POSSESSOR

Cert 18

103 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong gory violence, nudity

Seven years ago I praised Brandon Cronenberg for his "original" and "superior" horror, Antiviral.

During my review, I made very specific comment on my surroundings - namely the splendid Sheffield Showroom Cinema.

That is a venue where atmosphere can be evoked and attention to the screen is demanded.

Possessor required such full-on concentration but I find that more difficult in the living room of our home where there are too many distractions.

Consequently, it didn't resonate as much as it might have done in the cinema.

It stars Andrea Riseborough as corporate assassin Tasya Vos who takes control of other people's bodies using brain-implant technology.

This enables her access to high-profile targets and executes them.

However, this comes at two clear risks - her dedication/addiction to her work causes a rift with her husband (Rossif Sutherland ) and young son.

Secondly, she constantly faces the danger that the subject's body may resist the takeover, putting her in peril.

The latter becomes all the clearer when her bosses are contracted to bump off the chief executive (Sean Bean) of a huge company and his daughter (Tuppence Middleton).

She is linked up to the brain of the latter's boyfriend (Christopher Abbott) who is despised by the aforementioned CEO.

There then follows an intricate interplay which threatens the lives of all involved.

One of my problems with Possessor is that its character exploration is so superficial. I felt I needed to know Vos more so I could be invested in whether she lives or dies.

Another is that it is so complicated. The set-up of brain technology and flashbacks from reality to imaginary makes it difficult to follow.

But, as said, I probably needed to be concentrating harder and, therefore, needed to watch it in the cinema for it to have its full effect.

Reasons to watch: Original and thought-provoking

Reasons to avoid: Too complex for its own good

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 5.5/10

Did you know? Brandon Cronenberg is the son of David Cronenberg, the director of Crash, The Fly and The History of Violence among many others.

The final word. Brandon Cronenberg: "I wanted to initially write a film about someone who may or may not be an impostor in their own life as a way of discussing how we build characters and narratives to function as human beings in a basic way. Because I think that kind of storytelling is just inherent to how we operate." SciFi Now

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