Rachel Denham-White

Possessor:

The best horror film of 2020

raChel denham-white

Brandon Cronenberg, the son of the legendary David Cronenberg, is already making a name for himself in the horror history, as his newest film Possessor is one of the most original horror movies I’ve ever seen. Taking place in an alternate 2008, Possessor stars Andrea Riseborough, Christopher Abbott, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Sean Bean. The story follows Tasya Vos (Riseborough), a contract killer who inhabits the bodies of victims through a brain implant and forces them to assassinate valuable targets. When she is tasked with killing a multi-millionaire CEO, she hijacks the unsuspecting Colin Tate (Abbott), but encounters enough resistance to start a disturbing downward spiral of melded minds and lost identity.

This film is genius at exploring its central idea. We’ve had plenty of body-swapping narratives before; from Face/Off to The X-Files to 2020’s Freaky (another underrated horror gem). However, they never seem to go into this level of detail. Tasya’s possession of Colin illustrates just how alien it would be to inhabit another body, having to deal with differences in height, strength, health, balance and even tone of voice. Also, the alternate reality of the film is very engaging. With subtle differences in technology and the way this affects everyday life, it’s just another element that makes Possessor so inspired! The story isn’t as fast-paced as your average horror movie. Possessor starts off very slow, but the plot builds and builds with minimal dialogue or explanations, letting the visuals and the atmosphere tell the story. Tiny details are manipulated or warped, while inconsequential scenes are brought back in big ways. All of this lets the audience figure out the plot for themselves, a breath of fresh air compared to the typical structure of ‘tell, don’t show.’

Thanks to Karim Hussain’s incredible cinematography, this film is a visual spectacle. The use of colour was a big standout; the screen was often saturated with vibrant primary colours, or refracted and distorted by mirrors and reflections, giving us a host of trippy visuals. The camera work was inventive and full of variety. In moments where we experience possession, the camera pulls into an uncomfortable closeness, giving us an invasive look into this strange process. But in the more fast-paced moments, the screen distorts with lens flares and bright flashes of colour, barraging us with auditory and visual disorientation. Everything from the pounding electronic score to the hyperactive editing creates a true assault on the senses. In this way, watching Possessor becomes an experience.

Riseborough (Black Mirror, Nocturnal Animals), is absolutely incredible as Tasya and may be the highlight of the movie. Her acting is deeply understated; she has a way of manipulating her face and voice to show no emotion. This is perfect for the vulnerable Tasya, as years of duplicating the mannerisms of other people has chipped away at her own identity. The lack of discernible characterisation holds interesting and terrifying implications, as you begin to question whether her own impulses are bleeding through the possession. Christopher Abbott, (Girls, Vox Lux) has an even harder job, as he’s faced with playing the dual roles of Colin Tate, and Tasya inhabiting Tate’s body. However, he pulls it off with a great and nuanced performance. The actors in the smaller roles are just as memorable. Sean Bean plays the most insulting, entitled billionaire you’ll ever set your eyes on and Jennifer Jason Leigh brings an air of quiet menace to her role as Girder, the mastermind of the assassination bureau.

However, all things considered, how does Brandon Cronenberg compare to his dear old dad in the horror department? Well Possessor is absolutely, teeth-clenchingly, stomach-churningly gory. While not as showy as the tentacles and ooze of previous Cronenberg films, this gore is disturbingly realistic, ranging from intense medical scenes, to bloody torture and disfigurement. And for the body horror connoisseur, the practical effects are astonishing! Furthermore, the film is riddled with abstract and psychedelic imagery. The mind-melding scene where Tasya first inhabits Colin’s consciousness is the standout of the movie, as the two characters literally ‘melt’ and reform in a horrifying, waxy fever dream.

Perhaps the best part of Possessor is its mark on horror itself, as it brings the relatively new sub-genre of ‘techno-horror’ into the limelight. We’re used to seeing technology rebelling against the human body in a science fiction setting, but with disturbing visuals and buckets of blood, these ideas combine to create a truly unforgettable horror experience. With great acting, impressive cinematography and an inspired concept, Brandon Cronenberg’s Possessor has a strong claim to the title of the best and most original horror film of 2020.