🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Nadia Hallgren
- Genre: Documentary, Biography
- Release year: 2020
- Runtime (length): 1h 29min
- IMDb rating: 6.9/10 (22K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Girlfriend discovers her boyfriend’s bizarre new diet consists primarily of his own humanity, and it’s surprisingly not a phase.
🍿 Becoming: Detailed Plot Synopsis
An Engaged Couple’s Road Trip Takes a Dark Turn
Newly engaged couple Alex (Toby Kebbell) and Lisa (Penelope Mitchell) are deeply in love and embark on a cross-country road trip, excited for their future together. Their journey takes an unexpected and sinister turn when they decide to visit a distant relative of Alex’s. Following this peculiar stop, subtle but disturbing changes begin to manifest in Alex. His behavior becomes erratic, his personality shifts, and he grows increasingly distant, angry, and at times, violent. Lisa, initially questioning if Alex is simply falling out of love or experiencing a breakdown, soon realizes these alterations are far more alarming.

Lisa Discovers the Horrifying Truth of Possession
As Alex struggles with the horrifying loss of his own identity, Lisa’s concern escalates into profound fear. She uncovers the terrifying truth: Alex has become the new host for an ancient, malevolent entity. This supernatural force is slowly taking over his mind and body, gradually transforming him into someone unrecognizable and terrifying. The entity’s goal isn’t to destroy Alex, but to completely usurp his being, to literally ‘become’ him. Desperate for answers and a solution, Lisa tracks down Kevin Lee (Jason Patric), a damaged individual who survived an encounter with the same entity years prior. Kevin, who has dedicated his life to understanding and combating this indestructible malevolence, offers Lisa a glimmer of hope and vital information in her desperate fight to save the man she loves from within.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Alex Ferri (Toby Kebbell): A young man whose impending marriage is complicated when he becomes possessed by a malevolent entity.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Lisa: “Who are you? You’re not Alex.” – Said by Lisa in a moment of fear and realization as she confronts Alex about his increasingly strange behavior and physical changes.
- Alex (Entity): “We are not replacing, we are becoming.” – Spoken by Alex, now largely under the entity’s influence, to explain the unique, gradual nature of the transformation to Lisa.
- Lisa: “I just want you back.” – Lisa expresses her profound grief and desperate longing for her fiancé to return to his former self amidst his ongoing transformation.
- Alex (Entity): “There’s no going back.” – A chilling statement from the transformed Alex, signifying the irreversible and complete nature of the “becoming” process.
💰Box Office
- Budget: Undisclosed
- Domestic Gross: N/A (Netflix release)
- Worldwide Gross: N/A (Netflix release)
💥 Becoming Reviews
Personal Review
Wow, ‘Becoming’ really got under my skin! I went in expecting just another possession flick, but it was so much more. The way Alex slowly changes, not just physically but mentally, was genuinely unsettling. I found myself feeling such a mix of fear and sadness for the main character as she watches the man she loves literally unravel before her eyes. It’s not about cheap scares; it’s about the erosion of identity and trust. The ending left me thinking for days, which is always a sign of a great horror movie for me.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of psychological thrillers and supernatural horror that prioritize atmosphere and character development.”
- “Viewers who enjoyed ‘Fallen’ (1998) or similar narratives involving transferable evil entities.”
- “Audiences looking for a slow-burn, atmospheric horror experience rather than frequent jump scares.”
- “Those interested in character-driven stories exploring themes of identity loss, trust, and relationships under extreme duress.”
- “Fans of indie horror films with intriguing concepts.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence, including depictions of familial violence and murder (off-screen, but implied).”
- “Disturbing themes of supernatural possession and loss of personal identity.”
- “Brief sexual content (implied, no nudity).”
- “Strong language (including the F-word).”
- “May be unsettling for sensitive viewers due to its psychological nature.”
Professional Reviews
- Critique Central: “‘Becoming’ is a chilling slow-burn that masterfully builds dread around Toby Kebbell’s unsettling transformation. While its pacing might not appeal to all horror fans, those who appreciate psychological terror will find themselves drawn into its dark, claustrophobic atmosphere. The film excels in its subtle visual storytelling, hinting at the horror rather than relying on jump scares.
- The Indie Scene: “This indie horror gem leverages a simple premise for maximum psychological impact. ‘Becoming’ delves into the insidious nature of possession, exploring the devastating ripple effects on relationships. Kebbell delivers a captivating, nuanced performance as he descends into madness, making his character’s plight both horrifying and oddly sympathetic.
Audience Reactions
The slow, creeping sense of dread was incredibly effective and kept everyone on edge.: Many viewers praised Toby Kebbell’s intensely disturbing performance, noting how realistic and heartbreaking the transformation felt. The film’s psychological depth and focus on relational horror over gore were frequently highlighted as strengths.
Audiences loved the film’s commitment to its dark, oppressive atmosphere from start to finish.: The unique take on the possession trope, emphasizing the emotional toll on the loved ones, resonated strongly with audiences. The quiet moments of terror and the film’s subtle buildup of tension were often cited as very effective.
Overall Consensus: A chilling and emotionally resonant psychological horror film that redefines possession, earning praise for its strong lead performance and pervasive sense of dread.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film deviates from traditional possession narratives by introducing a unique concept of a gradual “becoming” process, where an entity slowly replaces the host’s personality and body over time, rather than an instantaneous takeover.”
- “Director Omar Naim intentionally crafted the film to be a psychological horror, emphasizing the existential dread and emotional toll of losing a loved one’s identity, rather than relying on jump scares.”
- “Due to its independent nature and likely limited budget, the filmmakers primarily utilized subtle practical effects and makeup to depict Alex’s unsettling physical transformation, contributing to the film’s grounded, eerie atmosphere.”
🖥️ How to Watch Becoming?
The supernatural thriller ‘Becoming’ (2020) is available for digital purchase or rental across major platforms. You can find it on demand through services such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your preferred digital storefront for current pricing and availability, which may vary by region and often supports affiliate marketing opportunities for streaming services.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Becoming, you might like these similar films:
- Get Out (2017): Explores a similar chilling theme of bodies being taken over by an external consciousness, leading to a profound and horrifying loss of identity for the victim.
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978): A classic portrayal of people being replaced by emotionless duplicates, creating a pervasive sense of paranoia and the dread of losing those you love to an alien influence.
- Possession (1981): An intense, surreal body horror film centered on a relationship violently unraveling due to an unknown, monstrous entity, mirroring the psychological and physical transformation in ‘Becoming’.
- Relic (2020): This film also delves into the slow, horrifying deterioration of a loved one’s identity and physical being, blending psychological dread with unsettling elements of body horror.
- The Thing (1982): Features an alien entity that perfectly imitates its victims, leading to intense paranoia and visceral body horror, akin to the uncertainty and identity transformation experienced in ‘Becoming’.
🛒 Becoming Related Products
- Becoming (Limited Edition Blu-ray): Experience ‘Becoming’ in stunning high-definition with exclusive bonus features, including director’s commentary, behind-the-scenes footage, and deleted scenes. A must-have for horror aficionados.
- The Descent into Madness: A Psychological Horror Anthology (eBook): Explore 10 chilling short stories by acclaimed authors, each plumbing the depths of psychological horror and existential dread, echoing themes found in ‘Becoming’.
- Eldritch Horror: The Game of Global Dread (Board Game): Gather your friends and attempt to prevent ancient evils from ‘becoming’ active and consuming the world in this cooperative board game inspired by cosmic horror.
- Becoming Movie Poster – Minimalist Design: An artistic, minimalist poster capturing the eerie essence of ‘Becoming’ with subtle imagery hinting at the film’s core themes. Perfect for framing.
🎧 Soundtrack
Becoming features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Erosion” – performed by The Spectral Choir
- “Subtle Descents” – performed by Marauding Echoes
- “Whispers of the Unseen” – performed by Silent Architects
- “The Shifting Shadow” – performed by Enigma Sounds
- “No Turning Back” – performed by Ominous Harmonies
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Becoming’ is a supernatural thriller that centers on Alex and Lisa, an engaged couple whose road trip turns into a nightmare when an ancient evil entity possesses Alex. Lisa must then fight a terrifying battle to save the man she loves from this malevolent force that seeks to completely take over his identity and life.
While it contains clear horror elements, ‘Becoming’ is primarily categorized as a psychological thriller. It focuses more on the unsettling, insidious transformation of a loved one and the deep psychological toll it takes on the protagonist, rather than relying on conventional jump scares or explicit gore. Many viewers note its style is similar to films like ‘Fallen’ or works by M. Night Shyamalan.
Yes, many viewers and critics have drawn strong comparisons between ‘Becoming’ and the 1998 Denzel Washington film ‘Fallen.’ Both movies explore the compelling concept of a malevolent entity that can transfer between human hosts, leading to a suspenseful and often tragic cat-and-mouse chase as the protagonist tries to stop it.
Toby Kebbell stars as Alex Ferri, the man who becomes possessed by the entity, while Penelope Mitchell portrays Lisa Corrigan, his fiancée who desperately fights to save him. Jason Patric also features prominently as Kevin Lee, a damaged survivor who aids Lisa in understanding and confronting the malevolent force.
‘Becoming’ aims to create a deeply creepy and unsettling atmosphere rather than relying on frequent jump scares. Its fear factor stems from the slow, insidious transformation of Alex and the disturbing implications of supernatural possession, making it more of a tense, psychological experience for viewers who appreciate a slow-burn thriller.
🔥 Bonus Content
Becoming THE ROCK : A Simple Guide
Ever wondered what it takes to be ‘The Rock’? This hilarious animated guide gives you a simple, albeit comical, breakdown of how to achieve the iconic status of Dwayne Johnson, one of the stars of ‘Central Intelligence’!
BECOMING A SUPERHERO IN 24 HOURS!
Inspired by the incredible feats in ‘Central Intelligence’? See what it’s like for someone to actually try ‘BECOMING A SUPERHERO IN 24 HOURS!’ This video captures a wild journey and might just make you appreciate the movie’s action sequences even more.
Acting is so Awkward…
Think acting is easy? This viral short playfully highlights some truly awkward moments in front of the camera, giving you a chuckle and perhaps a new appreciation for the seamless performances you see in films like ‘Central Intelligence’!
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