Anna/Helen ( Isabelle Adjani) greets her husband Mark (Sam Neill) on his return from a business trip with the news that she wants a divorce at the beginning of ‘s relentless 1980 film POSSESSION. Brought to vibrant new life in a 4K restoration from Metrograph Pictures which enjoyed its U.S. Premiere at Fantastic Fest 2021 and a
West Coast Premiere at Beyond Fest 2021, ‘s ravaging masterpiece of marital and mental breakdown grabs the viewer by the throat and never lets go. It must be seen by any fan of horror.

After the distressing news from his wife, Mark refuses further work out of town to attempt to salvage what’s left of his marriage and family while attempting to unravel the mystery of where things went wrong. After discovering that his wife has been having an affair with modern-minded Heinrich (Heinz Bennent) Mark hires a detective (Carl Duering) to dig deep as there is something even darker lurking that eludes discovery.

Jumping from grounded narrative to surreal psychosis, the film follows Mark and his descent into madness only to discover his wife is already there. But Adjani’s towering performance of a woman already warped by sadness, desperation, and anger is what stands out as the film’s most striking feature. Hiding layers of kaleidoscopic emotion just below the surface, Adjani brutally explodes in a number of scenes that are utterly devastating.

Of course, the film would be nothing without ‘s keen understanding of cinema and how to translate unease with a full symphony of tools ranging from the subtle to the bombastic. We see the quiet sadness of two acrimonious parents confined to a small apartment, watching their young son play in the bathtub. We are then confronted with utterly explosive moments of surreal violence and rage that tap right into the artery of visceral emotion where reason does not apply. This is brave, insightful filmmaking that is not for everyone.

As for the restoration, it is impressive. The screen teams with life from the undulating film grain. The colors are as melancholy as ever, the red as sanguine, and the blacks as impenetrable. The restoration somehow made the classic film feel current and as resonant as ever. Very nicely done.

If you have never seen POSSESSION, and you are a fan of psychotic breakdown movies, David Lynch, or truly effective cinema, see the 4K restoration of POSSESSION. Don’t see it with someone you love.

8 out of 10

Possession
RATING: NR
Metrograph Pictures presents POSSESSION [4K Restoration, Official Trailer]
Runtime: 2 Hr. 4 Mins.
Directed By:
Written By:

 

About the Author

Norman Gidney is a nearly lifelong horror fan. Beginning his love for the scare at the age of 5 by watching John Carpenter's Halloween, he set out on a quest to share his passion for all things spooky with the rest of the world.