Mark Kermode reviews Possession (1981) | BFI Player

[@godramen7104]

This movie is EXTRAORDINARY!! The subway scene is truly frightening. The cinematography is above reproach!

[@gr1lly]

Yes its got murder, madness, dopplegangers, some /thing/, and some sort of spy/countdown to war/berlin wall backstory, but it all works because there is an emotional core to the film; the sad sight of a child lost in a couple's self-destructive behaviour.

[@explanationmark_]

saw this last night in a double bill with the original suspiria, both incredible films 🎃

[@karlkarlos3545]

ironically the remake of Suspiria has actually far more in common with Possession than the original that it almost feels like the actual inspiration.

[@magicknight13]

Omg that would be such an amazing double feature!!!

[@magicknight13]

Can't believe he called the subway scene almost unwatchable, to me that's one of the best scenes of all time!! Also love that he used the word "tentacular"!

[@warlockofwordschannel7901]

One of the maddest and best Quasi-Lovecraftian films out there.

[@polreamonn]

I love this film. Heinrich is so flash I named my Beldray heater after him.

[@masterofallgoons]

'Tentacular' ... what a word!

[@VILA1963]

I saw it when it was first released. Never forgot it. Adjani is just fantastic!

[@tompoynton]

Can’t wait for the 4K release of this

[@Cinemactik]

Ever since you mentioned it during your review of Anti-Christ years ago, I have been obsessed with this hyper-mad classic. Culminating a few years back with taking a good friend, that was visiting from Texas, to see it on the big screen for the first time, in which it broke his brain. I intend to do the same soon with my girlfriend who's never seen it, as it's screening again here in Atlanta this week. I wholeheartedly thank you for bringing Possession into my life, and all the irreparable harm it has caused. 💜😁

[@Kevon420]

One of the best movies ever.

[@magicknight13]

Agreed!!

[@jimmygillard]

A perfect horror. Unhinged is right!

[@eyeseer1]

Sam Neil’s finer horrors as a genre actor. Possession deserves more exposure as a rare horror gem.

[@snookandrew]

I think this is on Prime too

[@SamM_Scot]

This cult classic is a must watch in my opinion, especially for fans of say Lynch's work. It's very surreal at times with Lovecraftian body horror and devastation story of a marriage breakdown at its core. It's a really difficult watch at times though and ain't for everyone :-)

[@DragonReborn12]

Give us 4k bluray god damn you

[@SamM_Scot]

Arrow Films 4K special edition set please :-)

[@shawsy9110]

Second Sight in the UK are putting it out next year

[@JM-ll2vv]

Great lead performances, shame it didn't have a better director

[@patrickweller5254]

I tried this earlier this year after all the hype I had heard about it. I was severely disappointed. The vibe and acting just gave me a headache and I laughed at out loud at the ending.

[@joukokulhelm6844]

severe panick attack in film form

[@stewartjones5624]

as an expat i have no idea why kermode is taken seriously by cineastes

[@ludovicoc7046]

Yeah, well, it's no Exorcist.

[@Alberto_Aveiro]

I’m in a minority, but I thought Possession was absolutely terrible and can’t understand why it is so highly lauded. Beautifully shot, but the script and performances are awful. I found it tedious and dull - a real struggle to get through.

[@sepiarain]

That's probably the normal response.

[@patrickweller5254]

Agreed.

[@YodasPapa]

Yeah I absolutely love it, but there's simply no quick way to explain why to someone who doesn't get it. I think the performances are perfect for the film. The only thing I can say to help people get it better is that it is expressionistic and that the viewer not try to make sense of it on first viewing.

[@sepiarain]

@@YodasPapa agreed... it's one of my favourite films - the intensity and hysteria, Mark's love sickness reminds me of when I'm confronted by lost loves in my nightmares and can't articulate my feelings as they blankly explain how easily they abandoned me and moved on and the lovers they've taken since.

[@JM-ll2vv]

Was it beautifully shot? I didnt mind the film but don't remember it being anything special from a directing sense

[@jesperlykke7864]

This movie is so involentarily funny due to the over the top acting, making it an unclear case of selfseriousness and parody.

[@karlkarlos3545]

Or you are just immature.

[@jesperlykke7864]

@@karlkarlos3545, wow, such a mature attempt at convincing me about my wrongful assessment of the movie👶🏻. Thank you so much for the illuminating and useful comment - now I really have something to think about.

[@karlkarlos3545]

@@jesperlykke7864 You know, this response really didn't make a strong case in favour of your maturity.

[@jesperlykke7864]

@@karlkarlos3545, weird, since I started out by justifying my opinion, whereas your only defense of the movie’s quality is rooted in my personal defaults. If you actually had any solid arguments, I could respect that, I even would be able to respect you simply favoring the movie wouthout even justyfing your opinion. However, I find it hard to accept your attack on me as a person. Hope, that was enough maturity for you - I did my best, anyway👼🏻

[@GuineaPigEveryday]

people say that about any and every horror movie, so thats not surprising to hear, and completely valid. i hear ppl say that about The Exorcist nowadays although I think that movie definitely is time-stamped in terms of how shocking it was for a 70s audience that'd never seen anything like it, and this movie likely has the same. Nowadays the internet is full of literally anything, that horror movies usually disappoint. I don't know I tend to like the over-acting, I'm not pretending like the dead bodies or creatures scare me, its just the insanity of the characters that puts you on edge, and idk any movie about an abusive toxic marriage bother me a lot. I mean I'll always defend The Shining, especially Shelley Duvall, for having easily the most accurate performance of domestic abuse victim. I just find it a bit disappointing a lot of ppl assume horror movies are only good if they traumatise and jumpscare you, i tend to like horror movies for all the other reasons movies are entertaining, if you go in with too much expectation you'll always be disappointed.