An elite assassin uses brain-implant
technology to inhabit other people's bodies.
Director: Brandon Cronenberg
Cast: Andrea Riseborough, Christopher
Abbott, Rossif Sutherland, Tuppence Middleton, Sean Bean, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Release Date:
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Unrated
Runtime: 1 h 43 min
Review:
Possessor Uncut is
shocking sci-fi thriller from Brandon Cronenberg which shows him following in
his father’s footsteps. His film has a
disquieting feel from its opening frames but it quickly moves to violently
gruesome. The visceral shock of the
violence is incredibly pointed since the film doesn’t use it regularly but when
it does it’s a sucker punch. The story
itself is ripe for exploration and you’ll be hard pressed if you didn’t notice
some similarities to his father’s earlier works. The film’s visuals are incredibly striking
throughout with some shots composed in such a way that they elicit dread
without any action occurring. Andrea
Riseborough and Christopher Abbott get the lion’s share of the screen time with
the latter carrying the better part of the film. Abbott is tasked with two roles which are
being played out in his mind which sounds like complicated but he makes it work
in a believable manner. It’s an
impressive performance which is really a showcase for his talents. Riseborough doesn’t get nearly as much screen
time but when she’s onscreen she leaves a haunting impression. Cronenberg’s film will never be considered
subtle but there are moments where a less is more approach to violence might
have worked in the films favor. Still,
Possessor Uncut is the type of mind bender that will stay in genre fans minds
long after it’s over.
B
