Title: Possessor
MPAA Rating: Not Yet Rated
Director: Brandon Cronenberg
Starring: Andrea Riseborough, Christopher Abbot, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Runtime: 1 hr 42 mins

What It Is: Tasya Vos (Riseborough) works for an unknown corporation that specializes in taking people down through invading the minds of those close to them. When she takes over the body of Colin (Abbot) to take down his partner’s bigwig father, things go seriously wrong and the host and parasite go at odds.

What We Think: Watching B. Cronenberg’s previous film Antiviral, it’s evident that were was a lot of room left for improvement; nonetheless, there was still an enormous potential here. Finally is the Cronenberg film we needed for this generation now in existence–a real bonafide body-horror crime-thriller. The premise feels classic and is executed with an intensity and ruthlessness while displaying a fascinating power struggle between a coke addict and a legitimate sociopath. Everything from the performances to the makeup effects to the practical effects is viscerally stunning. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen stuff like this, as it is definitely reminiscent of David Cronenberg’s works. Riseborough portrayed a fantastic mystery of a person, a new kind of hitman whose humanity is in question throughout her ventures; Abbot was fantastic as Riseborough’s displaced Tasya Vos trying to be convincing as the powerful and furious man she’s inhibiting. It’s a more unique viewing experience and I think makes for a wonderful nod to graphic cinema.

Our Grade: B+, Admittedly I was the only one in the theater I was in who was applauding (I knew that no one else would be, so… some added fun). This isn’t going to be everyone’s jar of jam, but if you love the classic Cronenburg-era featuring themes and scenes of ultra-violence and hyper-sexuality, this will likely be as enjoyable to you as it was for me. It’s a fun exploration of technology and the not-unfamiliar exploitations of futuristic developments that lead to insanity. Artfully crafted, It’s all good friendly family fun.