'Possessor' follows a highly skilled corporate assassin, Tasya, who takes control of other peoples bodies via brain implant technology in order to kill high-profile individuals.
The film opens as a prelude to Tasya's activities. We follow Holly, who can be seen using a device that is hooked up to her brain via a neural link to go through a range of emotions as she adjusts a dial. Subsequently, she goes to a formal function where she works as a member of staff. The scene shifts drastically, as Holly stabs a man multiple times before being shot by the oncoming police force. Thereafter we learn that Tasya was in control of Holly - her actions and conscience, acting as a 'possessor' through the brain-implant technology.
After the contract Tasya asks for time off to see her family, husband Michael and son Ira. Unwilling to spend much time off work however, she contacts Girder, her superior, and is assigned a new target - John Parse. The assassination is requested by John's step-son in order to gain control of his fathers data mining company. The assassination also includes Ava Parse, John's daughter, to be killed in order for the step-son to gain full control of the company. Tasya is assigned Colin as the target to be 'possessed', Ava's boyfriend and low-level worker at John's company. As Tasya adapts to controlling Colin, she experiences difficulty in maintaining control. Tasya carries out the contract, but loses possession of Colin, who, through an internal struggle takes back control of his body.
Seeking answers and to rectify the situation, Colin finds Tasya's home and threatens her family in order to get answers. Through an internal exchange between the two, the line is blurred over who has control. An altercation between Micheal and Colin results in Colin murdering Michael with a meat clever and shooting Ira after being stabbed in the neck by the child. Tasya requests to be pulled out of Colins body, and so does Girder, from Ira's body prior to the child expiring. The film concludes with a psychological evaluation of Tasya where it is evident she no longer possesses the empathy and remorse she exhibited prior to the last contract.
'Possessor' tells a suspenseful story, intertwining science fiction with elements of a thriller and managing to pepper in body horror. The film delivers a story that maintains a high level of tension through its runtime, as it is set off with the lead-up to an assassination and does not slow down much until the films conclusion.
On meeting Tasya and discovering her occupation, the film creates an intriguing world worth exploring. Even although the film is centred around contract killing, 'Possessor' introduces Tasya as a complex character, presented as someone in conflict about reconciling her work with her private life, as she exhibits the need to see her husband and son, yet is unable to let go of her job. The main character is even shown practicing casual conversation to integrate into the civilian part of her life prior to reentering her family home. This goes deeper into the idea that Tasya has difficulty adapting to her family life, as it is presented as a burden of sorts that she has to change for to become compatible with.
As the story progresses, the film explores the nuance of Tasya's conflict, as she is devoted to her work and it forms an integral part of her identity. On possessing Colin, Tasya experiences difficulty maintaining control of the host, and the conflict is displayed through a myriad of mind-bending scenes, melding twisting shots of malformed bodies and scenes where Tasya sees herself even when in possession of Colin. Tasya's personality is however overpowered by Colin, as he is able to experience her memories and track down her family, thereby summoning a face-to-face with Tasya as he invades her family home.
On discussing the nature of who is in control of Colins body, the two individuals have a back and forth, with Tasya insisting Colin was always on control and Tasya attempting to shoot Colin. However, due to previous instances of Tasya being unable to pull the trigger on the host to commit suicide after the contract has been carried out, Girder had anticipated such an eventuality. Girder had taken possession of Ira, and stabs Colin to finalise the affair. However, prior to Tasya learning of this, she takes out both Michael and Ira, and her psychological evaluation following the event reveals that she has lost her sense of empathy, clearing the path for her to not compromise her work.
The examination of identity and sense of duty from Tasya's perspective is explored to great length and concludes by revealing that her work is her priority and she is unwilling to give up her occupation for anything. The scenes of Tasya seeing herself once in possession of Colin further present her personality and identity as tying into her work, as she can be seen taking pleasure in acting through a host and carrying out the contracts.
Andrea Riseborough plays Tasya Vos, and delivers a powerful performance of a character in conflict, tied to her family, yet valuing her work above all. Riseborough's delivery of the assassin in challenging situations, both in her work and in trying to integrate into normal social situations, showcases the actors range, as her ability to play such a deeply conflicted and frustrated character keeps the viewer in suspense as to her future actions.
Christopher Abbot portrays Colin Tate. As we are introduced to the character as being possessed by Tasya, Abbot seamlessly conveys the sense of someone not in ones own skin. His actions and initially toned-down approach to his surroundings create a truly fluid progression where the viewer can enjoy and not be distracted by any confusion, as Abbot manages to create the sense of another person in possession of his body. A true testament to the success of the film, Abbot's performance is an integral and essential part of the story that elevates the film and acts as an effective conduit to the further exploration of Tasya and her personality.
Jennifer Jason Leigh portrays Girder, the initially paint-by-the numbers superior of any company, who is only looking out for the successful operation of the business. However, as the story progresses, Leigh's performance gradually reveals the hidden darkness that lurks just beneath the surface of the character. The twist, revealing Girder to have taken possession of Ira, cements her position as a business-driven individual, uncompromising in her commitments and without a sense of remorse, unabated by sentiment of familial feelings, focused on moulding her star asset and striving to relinquish Tasya of anything that may hold her back from carrying on her work.
The film is written and directed by Brandon Cronenberg, and it is clear that the creator had a distinct vision of the story he wanted to tell. The film is unapologetically gruesome when it comes to displaying the murders that are carried out. The acts of violence are shown to their full extent, making great use of practical effects that create an unparalleled feel of reality to them, generating a visceral response to what is being displayed on screen. However, the filmmaker does not lose sight of the key element of a good film, namely to tell a good story. Even though the film is a great and distinct visual experience, the story of Tasya's character and her development is not lost amongst the imagery.
The cinematography for the film, as helmed by Karim Hussain, has been formed to convey the two parallel worlds that exist for people like Tasya - the real world and the psychic plane. The use of sharply contrasting and vivid colours can be at times anxiety-inducing, however it serves well to display the violent shift and ability to of the main character to adapt to working through such a medium. Truly terrifying at times, the inter-spliced scenes of psychological unrest and disturbance are both mesmerising to watch and horrifying to experience.
The film is an excellent introspection into the distorted world of contract assassinations through neurologically possessed killers and manages to maintain a high level of interest and devotion towards the explorations of its main character and their drives. A horrifying and suspenseful film, 'Possessor' is memorable in both its visual style and the core story and development of its characters.
Score: 4/4
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