"Possessor"
Where I watched it: Blu-ray
After seeing "Infinity Pool," it was clear that I needed to finally watch Brandon Cronenberg's "Possessor." In a way, the two films are very similar, stylistically and in tone.
"Possessor" is set in an alternate 2008 where an assassin uses a machine to "possess" the bodies of others to carry out her hits.
In this alternate 2008, many things are slightly off-kilter. Technology is both outdated and advanced. The only cars that exist are classic cars. Everyone vapes excessively... wait, that part's actually pretty faithful to our own world.
Anywho, in this weird world, our main character with a Star Wars name, Tasya Vos, enters the bodies of people who she then pilots as she carries out her assassination assignments. Similar to the concept of "Being John Malkovich," the consciousness of the host is kept tucked away in the backseat of the mind while Vos is in control, watching helplessly as they commit crimes on someone else's behalf. But what Vos doesn't account for is that one man that she possesses is going to fight back in an effort to regain control of his mind and body.
The fun really starts when this internal struggle begins. Watching the two characters try to remain in the drivers seat of this one body is as amusing as it is terrifying.
As was the case with "Infinity Pool," this film is very graphic in its violence and gore, as well as its sexual content. I watched the "uncut" version. Perhaps the versions on streaming services may be toned down.
The use of practical effects is astonishing. There are some really innovative and nifty props that are used to deliver some really memorable and unique horror effects. The melting bodies were fantastic.
I noticed similarities in the cinematography between "Possessor" and "Infinity Pool" as well. Lots of corkscrew-ing establishing shots and during dialogue, characters seem to be positioned solely in one third of the frame allowing 2/3rds of the screen to be filled with blank space. Not sure if this is a hallmark of Brandon Cronenberg or cinematographer Karim Hussain, but either way, these unusual and unsettling choices lend to the otherworldliness of the whole thing.
A very impressive movie, it's given me the motivation I need to now backtrack even further into Brandon Cronenberg's filmography and give "Antiviral" another shot.
7.5/10
Where I watched it: Blu-ray
After seeing "Infinity Pool," it was clear that I needed to finally watch Brandon Cronenberg's "Possessor." In a way, the two films are very similar, stylistically and in tone.
"Possessor" is set in an alternate 2008 where an assassin uses a machine to "possess" the bodies of others to carry out her hits.
In this alternate 2008, many things are slightly off-kilter. Technology is both outdated and advanced. The only cars that exist are classic cars. Everyone vapes excessively... wait, that part's actually pretty faithful to our own world.
Anywho, in this weird world, our main character with a Star Wars name, Tasya Vos, enters the bodies of people who she then pilots as she carries out her assassination assignments. Similar to the concept of "Being John Malkovich," the consciousness of the host is kept tucked away in the backseat of the mind while Vos is in control, watching helplessly as they commit crimes on someone else's behalf. But what Vos doesn't account for is that one man that she possesses is going to fight back in an effort to regain control of his mind and body.
The fun really starts when this internal struggle begins. Watching the two characters try to remain in the drivers seat of this one body is as amusing as it is terrifying.
As was the case with "Infinity Pool," this film is very graphic in its violence and gore, as well as its sexual content. I watched the "uncut" version. Perhaps the versions on streaming services may be toned down.
The use of practical effects is astonishing. There are some really innovative and nifty props that are used to deliver some really memorable and unique horror effects. The melting bodies were fantastic.
I noticed similarities in the cinematography between "Possessor" and "Infinity Pool" as well. Lots of corkscrew-ing establishing shots and during dialogue, characters seem to be positioned solely in one third of the frame allowing 2/3rds of the screen to be filled with blank space. Not sure if this is a hallmark of Brandon Cronenberg or cinematographer Karim Hussain, but either way, these unusual and unsettling choices lend to the otherworldliness of the whole thing.
A very impressive movie, it's given me the motivation I need to now backtrack even further into Brandon Cronenberg's filmography and give "Antiviral" another shot.
7.5/10
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