Possession Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A spy comes home to find his wife is divorcing him because she’s dating a Lovecraftian horror, resulting in the most intense marital drama ever filmed in Berlin.

🍿 Possession: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Marriage in Crisis

Mark, a spy returning to West Berlin, is immediately confronted by his wife Anna’s demand for a divorce. Anna is increasingly erratic and refuses to explain her reasons, only insisting that another man isn’t involved. Their young son, Bob, is caught in the middle of their escalating conflict, serving as a pawn in their emotional battles.

Infidelity and Obsession

Mark’s suspicion leads him to discover Anna’s lover, Heinrich, a self-proclaimed world sex champion. However, their relationship is strained, and Anna’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre and violent. Meanwhile, Mark finds solace in Helen, Bob’s teacher, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Anna but possesses a calm and gentle demeanor. This only serves to amplify Mark’s obsession with understanding Anna’s motives.

A Gruesome Discovery

Driven by his increasing obsession, Mark hires a private investigator to follow Anna. The investigator uncovers a second apartment where Anna is harboring a grotesque, tentacled creature. Anna murders the investigator to protect her secret, plunging Mark deeper into a world of violence and horror. He discovers dismembered body parts in her refrigerator. The film rapidly descends into surreal horror with the creature becoming a prominent and disturbing element.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Anna (Isabelle Adjani): A troubled woman whose increasingly disturbing behavior and desire for divorce mask a descent into madness and a gruesome obsession.
• Mark (Sam Neill): Anna’s husband, a spy returning home, becomes increasingly obsessed with understanding his wife’s erratic behavior, leading him down a dark and violent path.
• Heinrich (Heinz Bennent): Anna’s eccentric lover, he is initially a rival to Mark but becomes a victim of Anna’s descent into madness.
• Helen (Isabelle Adjani): Bob’s teacher and Mark’s lover, she is a doppelganger of Anna but with a more stable and nurturing personality.
• Bob (Michael Hogben): The young son of Anna and Mark, he is caught in the middle of his parents’ destructive relationship and witnesses their horrific downfall.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Anna: “I can’t exist by myself because I’m afraid of myself, because I’m the maker of my own evil.” – This quote encapsulates Anna’s profound self-loathing and sense of being the source of her own destruction.
• Mark: “What do you want?!” – Mark shouts this phrase in different scenes to express his frustration, desperation, and ultimately his lack of understanding of Anna’s motives.

💰Box Office

• Budget: Unknown
• Domestic Gross: $1,158,473
• Worldwide Gross: $1,166,730

💥 Possession Reviews

Personal Review

Possession hit me like a train; the acting is so raw and intense, you can’t help but be drawn into the nightmare of this marriage falling apart. Isabelle Adjani’s performance is legendary, especially the subway scene – I was breathless. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s a film that stays with you, making you question the nature of love and obsession.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of arthouse horror”
  • “Viewers interested in psychological thrillers”
  • “Those who appreciate films with complex themes and surreal imagery”
  • “Fans of Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mental illness themes”

Professional Reviews

• Sight and Sound: “Exceeds anything thrown up by The Exorcist for sheer impact on the nervous system. Possession is a harrowing portrait of a disintegrating marriage, horribly truthful to anyone who has even rejoiced in that institution.
• AllMovie: “Director Andrzej Zulawski’s Possession is a surreal and disturbing exploration of marital breakdown, delving into madness and the monstrous with unsettling imagery and intense performances, making it a challenging but unforgettable cinematic experience.
• N/A: “Possession is a movie in a constant state of violent flux, a chaotic maelstrom of emotion threatening to rip apart at the seams by force of its own negativity, an excess of emotion and abundance of expression.

Audience Reactions

Isabelle Adjani’s acting is unforgettable and absolutely mind-blowing.: Viewers consistently praise the intensity and surreal horror elements.

The film’s unique blend of marital drama and body horror creates a truly disturbing experience.: Many find the movie thought-provoking, despite its challenging nature.

Overall Consensus: Possession is a deeply divisive film, praised for its intense performances and surreal horror elements, but criticized for its confusing plot and over-the-top acting.

Awards

1. Cannes Film Festival (Best Actress)- 1981

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Isabelle Adjani reportedly suffered physical and emotional exhaustion during filming, contributing to the intensity of her performance.”
• “The film was shot in West Berlin, which adds to the atmosphere of paranoia and isolation.”
• “Carlo Rambaldi, who created the creature effects for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, also designed the monster in Possession.”

🖥️ How to Watch Possession?

As a more obscure film, ‘Possession’ is often difficult to find on major streaming platforms. It’s not typically available on Prime Video, Netflix, or Hulu. However, it may occasionally appear on smaller, curated streaming services that specialize in classic or arthouse horror. Your best bet is often to look for physical media, such as a Blu-ray or DVD, or to check digital rental and purchase options on platforms like Apple TV or Google Play Movies. Availability can vary by region, so it’s always good to check local listings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Possession, you might like these similar films:

• Eraserhead (1977): Both films explore themes of marital discord, alienation, and body horror, presenting a nightmarish and surreal atmosphere.
• The Brood (1979): This film also explores themes of psychological horror and body horror within a failing marriage.
• Repulsion (1965): Features a woman’s descent into madness and isolation, culminating in psychological and physical horror.

🛒 Possession Related Products

• Andrzej Zulawski: Three Films (La Femme Publique / Possession / L’Amour Braque) [Blu-ray]: A must-have collection for fans of Zulawski, featuring three of his most acclaimed films. A great way to get a taste of his genius, if you dare.
• Possession (1981) Movie Poster: High-quality reprint of the original movie poster. A perfect item for collectors and fans of the film.
• Horror Movie Tarot Deck: This deck contains cards depicting scenes inspired by various iconic horror films. It includes themes and characters similar to the film’s dark essence and will guide you to your own hidden fears and demons.

🎧 Soundtrack

Possession features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Theme” – performed by Andrzej Korzynski
• “Subway Miscarriage” – performed by Andrzej Korzynski

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

POSSESSOR (Assassins, Self-Identity and Mind Possession) EXPLORED

Ever wondered what it *really* means to lose yourself? This video delves into the themes of identity and mind control in the film *Possessor*, exploring the anxieties that the film evokes. It’s a great companion piece to *Possession*!

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