POSSESSION (1981) - Movie Review

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[@rafaelcabralwilliams]

"I can't exist by myself, because i'm affraid of myself, because i'm the maker of my own evil" As a selfdestructive person that's a line that always resonates with me.

[@forkrhoades1953]

The film was full of so many good lines, I wish I could get my hands on script

[@michaelharmon8960]

The two doppelgängers of the main characters represent the ideal versions of what the other wants Helen the kind hearted innocence that mark wants his wife to be and marks doppelgänger a very calm yet sexual man with shows dominance

[@d1jezek]

and at the end when the doppelgangers seem to prevail, the kid is ready to drown himself to escape them because he knows they aren't real people.

[@jmanzo2009]

@@d1jezek whoa

[@Jupa]

@@d1jezek broooooooooo

[@d4mdcykey]

This is one of those films I have always recommended to people when they want something that takes such an extreme unexpected turn that it is impossible to predict. Beyond this the acting moves at light speed from insane over-the-top acting to self-contained cerebral insights. One of my all-time favorite WTF films.

[@WildFungus]

its so good. And yet completely impenetrable. But you get enough of a gist and a vibe to walk way unsettled.

[@kenr.9177]

I first saw this film at 2am on TCM, about a month after a divorce. It had an especially powerful effect due to my circumstances.

[@crspn]

Nice shirt, I see what you did there ;)

[@Suite_annamite]

"He made love to me all night; he is very tired, but he's not done yet."

[@mozreview]

@@Suite_annamite the best line

[@thanos1000000fc]

@@Suite_annamite I can do that too🙃

[@Suite_annamite]

@@thanos1000000fc I so happen to be dating someone who looks just like Isabelle Adjani did in this movie: not sure if I should be happy or scared! She has an aggressive streak that is very subtle, which she only projects towards unattractive women who are complete strangers!

[@AkashVerma-ec2zs]

@@Suite_annamite you lucky bastard

[@dns5280]

Love this movie a lot. I have found it a couple of months ago, and it instantly became a favorite of mine. An insanely nice blend of drama and cosmic horror, with brilliant acting and fantastic direction. It feels like Roman Polanski, Lars von Trier and David Lynch teamed up to create a Lovecraft inspired movie.

[@Gabriel-gv1mx]

As films go, Possession is an anomalous, atypical Art film that instead of masquerading as an Art film, is an art film. The script is quotably quirky; the cinematography gorgeously intrusive, the acting equal parts hysterical and darkly humorous. The film has often been called "slow moving", even "boring"- but the less you know, the more the title of the film lives up to its title. It will enter as a nightmare disguised as a dream. That's its beauty. I personally love this film. It palpably possessed me, and for that I'm grateful.

[@greggoat6570]

I really don’t think it’s slow, and can only slightly even wrap my head around that criticism. It’s extremely dense, even four two hours, it feels like four with how much happens in it, to me at least.

[@flippedpickle1509]

@@greggoat6570 I was so absorbed in what was happening that it felt like time flew by. I think the longer shot length can make things feel slow especially for modern audiences who are used to hyperkinetic editing

[@ashraykotian1]

I find the title particularly intriguing. It might imply a ghostly possession which the film certainly has qualities of but that is not what I think the title is referring to. To me the title refers to the possession by a significant other, the better half, a lover; the kind of possession which locks you down in these predetermined societal roles of being a husband or a father (in case of the film a wife or a mother).

[@5DollarGaming]

I had that same realization about half way through this latest watch and it felt like one of the locks holding this movies secrets popped open.

[@WildFungus]

@@5DollarGaming well the shoe ends up on the other foot right.

[@looney1023]

I finally watched this. I need to let it digest and watch it a few more times probably, but something that really stuck out to me is the fact that in their downward spiral, they destroy not only their own marriage but also the relationship between a mother and son (Heinrich and his mom) and a loving gay couple (the hilariously awful PI and his lover). Like the disease that's infecting their family can't be contained; it has to destroy everything stable and loving it comes into contact with.

[@matthewcrome]

This is probably the most insightful and detailed analysis I've seen of this film! LOVE this film but never really understood it! Thanks for your review!

[@markleafy2314]

I'd give this film 9/10 which is apt as Possession is 9/10's of the law

[@sagarsaxena6318]

This was such a balls to the wall movie. Isabelle Adjani looked like an angel and acted like a dream. One of my favorites! Great review as always.

[@cruddddddddddddddd]

Max von Sydow died. I know he wasn’t in this film, but he’s one of my favorite actors (The Seventh Seal is my favorite film). Good review! Sam Neil is awesome

[@aeugnewtype]

The Blu-ray has some interviews with Żuławski where he explains some of the general inspirations that created this film, and I think it presents a few keys to understanding the film but also just makes it clear that the film is exceptionally personal for him. He explains when he was going through a divorce with his wife at the time, and also being expelled from working or living in certain countries due to his previous work and political stance, and how everything was such a mix of violent emotions and visceral pain for him, and he managed to transform so much of it into what we see on screen. Truly one of the most complex and fantastic films ever created for me.

[@mont3818]

Very well thought out review! I finally watched Possession for the first time last week. I still have to digest it more, but I’m thinking it’s easily one of my top 5 all time favorite films. The way it presents relationship dynamics in such a hyper-realistic way, mixed with the surrealist abstraction of intense uncomfortable feelings, and with Cold War paranoia as it’s backdrop, is amazing. Should be relatable to us all in one way or another. Very satisfying film experience with a lot to unpack. Isabelle was such a badass for putting in that kind of performance. And Heinrich was so cringe in the best possible way!

[@jamespader]

So glad you finally reviewed this! One of my favorite films ever made especially in the horror genre. Would love to hear your thoughts on other terrifying classics like night of the hunter, eraserhead, or wake in fright.

[@MusicalPlayground717]

I adore your videos, and as always, you have insightful, heartfelt, and clear-headed things to say here. If you’d allow a modest suggestion, I’d say it might be time to upgrade your sound recording. The right mic and a basic audio interface would give you a clear and warm sound; as it is now, your videos sound very thin, and your voice isn’t represented as well as it could be. For a relatively cheaper mic option, I’d suggest the Shure SM57 or Sennheiser e835. Around $100. If you feel like investing in something special, the Shure SM7B ($400) is an industry standard, and would really bring out the music in your voice. But the cheaper options would serve you just fine. For an audio interface (to transform the mic signal to something your computer can handle), the Scarlett Solo, 3rd Gen, would be a good choice. ($109.) There are lots of places to buy them online; Sweetwater has good deals and the best service, though. I swear I don’t work there, lol. Hope this helps, and best of luck with this. I also hope this comes off as enthusiastic instead of mansplainey; I just think your videos deserve great sound. Keep making amazing content.

[@tenbones545]

The end of that subway scene horrified me and lives rent free in my head.

[@thatwolfguy9462]

Fantastic and insightful as always. Keep it up, always a pleasure to hear a new review!

[@cap-pa7540]

The station scene gave me creeps for life, that scene was just horrifying

[@camilap.1638]

omg, i’m so glad you talked about this film😭😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️. thank you

[@fungifago]

I was waiting for this review! One of my favorite films ever along The Exterminating Angel (which I recomend view/review) and Mulholand Drive

[@styleissubstance]

If I remember correctly, Lars von Trier looked to Possession as an influence for Antichrist. Your assessment on the relationship dynamics is spot on. I've studied this film and I keep finding new things about it, so it's nice to hear your thoughts. To add to the homoeroticism you mentioned, I think there is a good case to be made that made that Mark could be gay, or at the very least, have gay tendencies. He loves his wife and kid and wants to preserve the family unit, but the love he has for his wife is more familiar. He touches his son and wife in the same way. This is until the creature enters the picture. I'd also say that faith is protected... to an extent. But the film also posits spiritual relativism where the Devil to one person could be God to another. I'm rambling here but I love this movie and it's the film that led me to making a KZbin account. I'm glad you like it a lot too.

[@phantom213]

Thank for this in-depth excellent reviews of a very layered, deeply unsettling and unsettlingly deep movie. This film stays with you after you have seen it. Also I thought the parallels you have made between the two heroines in Possession and Antichrist are very on point.

[@Suite_annamite]

Fun fact: *Isabelle Adjani* can often be seen randomly *passing around condoms in Paris* , especially when the Pope is in town.

[@jujuba2099]

hahaha, really? Never heard about it, but she did criticized publicly Pope Benedict when he claimed that condoms aren't an effective method of AIDS prevention.

[@JDMimeTHEFIRST]

Now I’m a huge fan

[@WhiteChocolate74]

@@jujuba2099 they're not, apparently

[@syntheticsilkwood2206]

Your analysis of anna struggling with identity was spot on Its exactly the same for me i relate to her so much

[@user-iz9ix8ru8d]

I love the ending shot focus and the stare into the camera by Helen. I couldn't helped but think she could have been the inspiration for the character of Anna/Nina in Urasawa's Monster.

[@nickmattio3397]

Sam Neill can do no wrong

[@Legoleflash]

This is by far the best review I’ve found on this movie! Thank you for the breakdown, needed that after my first viewing last night 😂

[@lanna8380]

Great to hear you recommend this one. I first watched it on VHS in the 80s. It is an unforgettable film. Crazy mad people like other Zulawski's films.

[@ChrisLind81]

That t-shirt is perfect for this movie review 👍🏻

[@TheNickleChick]

I really enjoyed your perspective. You speak clearly without making me feel like I'm being lectured.

[@JohnDoe-cd6ro]

It's weird and visceral, the way _Enter The Void_ is. But supernatural the way _Antichrist_ is. Unique film to say the least.

[@sigo2011]

Love your analysis very thorough and though provoking, keep it up!

[@larajayne4934]

I've actually been wanting to watch this movie, I'm a massive fan of the horror genre but I've heard it's incredibly intense. Also really glad I found your channel 😁 I really do love movie review channels and this video is extremely well done 😊❤

[@LastOneLeft99]

The director had gone through a horrible divorce and put things from his divorce in scenes in the movie, he was also kicked out of Poland. He was terribly depressed after this and put all of those negative emotions into the movie.

[@cfroberts62]

OMIGOD, you GET it!!!!! That is so awesome!!!!!! My wife and I finally got t see this last year and we can't get it out of our heads!!!!! Zulawski is amazing!!!!!!

[@russellb5573]

I watched it again, last night. Happy Valentines! Isabelle Adjani is an unbelievable force, here! I still don't know what this movie is but I'm glad it is. It's everything, I suppose.

[@Bobrobberts]

Great review of an awesome movie. Isabelle Adjani s Performance is amazing. Never seen a better acting of a women sliding into madness. As grewing up next to the Berlin wall this movie has even a special meaning for me. Maybe consider to improve your audio recording.

[@trentlaurentino1293]

A movie theatre near me was playing this during their Halloween-a-thon last week, and I went to see it solely based on this review. A great decision that was.

[@lanna8380]

Thanks for your review. I love this one since I saw the poor vhs tape long time ago. Now I have a bluray, I will watch it a few times more.

[@jsshayes1]

This movie is amazing. In my top 10 movies of all time.

[@ericanthony7952]

Great movie. Anthology Film Archives in NYC used to play this every Valentine's Day.

[@cyberpunkgirl7907]

we would love to hear your reaction towards 'Colour out of Space' film.

[@vajaharsh8130]

T-shirt reminds me scene of this film.

[@CaptainMorganThe3rd]

This movie got me fucked up. I rarely remember my dreams, but the night I watched Possession, I had dreams about calamari from the moment I nodded off to the moment I awoke. I felt gross the next day. It’s a downright repulsive film. I love everything about it.

[@matthewheitkamp1474]

what’s even more interesting about this review is the likeness between you and the main actress of this movie, seriously… you should be her for halloween or something. very similar ethereal facial bone structure.

[@Cassiopeia11962]

Love your reviews. You should review Coppolas The Virgin Suicides, it's such a beautiful and perplexing film.

[@elijahcassidy]

I've been wordering if I should see this film recently so the timing of this review is quite a coincidence for me

[@Subtle-System]

Awesome t shirt... always on point! Thank you.

[@chattinboutchan357]

Just watched the movie. Art is subjective but thank you so much for helping me understand it a bit more haha.

[@jbliv831]

One of my favorite movies. Thanks for reviewing.

[@LucaPICurtis]

my fav film of all time. Thanks for this, I'm excited.

[@Turtleproof]

When you said psychedelic it changed how I perceive your posts on Twitter. If I were fortunate enough to have access to the fun drugs and mesas in the Sun I'd be writing similar things.

[@NemoK]

I loved this movie! I laughed out loud when Anna kept saying "Excuse me?!" in a progressively angrier tone. Such a bizar film.

[@JDMimeTHEFIRST]

I’ve actually done that with a soon to be ex at the time. You just start getting annoyed at someone’s angry existence especially when they don’t like you anymore and you know it.

[@skabcat242]

I finally watched this movie for the first time last week on friday the 13th. Wow, what a trip this film was.

[@jujuba2099]

WOW! I was so confused about my feelings and understanding about Possession before but this is the best analysis/review I saw about this movie so far. I also love the interaction between Mark and Heinrich, the macho ego battle exagerated to the point of being very sexual. Each time they are together on a scene I was hoping for a kiss or something, hahah. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us, loved the way you put it. With one video you got me. I'll definitely check more of your content from now on.

[@kevinbowen6182]

This film reminds me of my best friend's divorce. That's sort of how you come to see your ex-wife. One side is the avenging wraith who will do anything, including sself-harm, to hurt you. And the other is the nurturing kindergarten teacher she becomes around your children. And ultimately, her goal is to replace you with a better version of you.

[@gordonliu3972]

You wore that octopus shirt on purpose! 😂 ... This movie was crazy. I just finished it and there is a lot I loved about it. Adjani was fucking incredible in this. The herky jerky physical acting style could have been used more sparingly in my opinion and I think it would have been more powerful.

[@jonrobinson3711]

I showed it to a friend and when the credits rolled they told me every minute was meaningless nonsense. Lol what's your perception of the ending? Are they replacing themselves with the ideal versions of one another from when they first met? Does Bob drown himself? What's with the apocalypse?

[@Jamesbrown8]

Brilliant review, I think Anna's personal demons stem from her career as a ballet dancer.

[@origamistuffs]

Nice nod to the movie with that shirt

[@scampoli25]

Thank for finally getting me to watch this movie. Such an insane nightmare that is unrelenting

[@jonathanbenning2369]

After watching the film for the first time, Isabella Adjani tried to commit suicide by cutting her wrist in a bathtub. The film won 15 awards and some how this is still a very unknown movie. One of the most unsettling movies that keeps you invested in the characters and implores you to watch more. For some reason when Anna's lover was in any scenes it gave me a clockwork orange vibe.

[@User-xw6kd]

One of my favourite horror films. Good review as always. I would suggest Silence (2016), Frances Ha (2012) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017).

[@bc7014]

ALMOST.....

[@PTRK490]

😂😂😂

[@johnpickens7626]

I enjoyed your review, Thank you.

[@rpggamer1562]

To me it seemed like the film was about a failing marriage. They slowly lost interest in each other because of how the marriage changed their lives so both the husband and wife created a symbolic representation of how they both wanted to see each other. Even if it meant losing their sanity in the process. I think that Helen was another doppleganger created by the husband. Only seen it once so not very sure.

[@HenryCovert]

Thank you for this review.

[@PORRFNK]

My favorite movie of all times

[@deffjarby]

One of my favorite films of all time!!!

[@ruioliveira9075]

Great review, thank you

[@orpheus9037]

I have to wonder why it's still so damn difficult to get a hold of and see. It was heavily censored when first released here in the states and perhaps, tacitly, censorship is still at play. Might be a film Criterion needs to bring out.

[@JDMimeTHEFIRST]

I laughed quite a few times in this movie. I’m not sure if it was intentionally funny. That German guy was so German. Just the overly dramatic scenes and expressions seemed funny. I’d like to know the director’s intention. I think some things (like Sam Neill and the German) were supposed to be funny. I’m not sure about the other stuff, though. There are bits here and there. That rocking chair . . . At first, I took possession as meaning the husband was possessive, which he was. However, it’s more like aliens overtaking and duplicating. Anyway, I was worried that I misinterpreted it, because I was the only one who laughed in the theater and have ASD1. Glad to know it WAS funny.

[@JDMimeTHEFIRST]

Also, Bob needs therapy.

[@unmixedunmastered2810]

Definitely intended to be funny, i’ve heard in interview the director talking about adding his sense of humor in Possession.

[@plasticweapon]

it was intentionally funny. reading/listening to interviews with the director sheds light on this.

[@traplogic5717]

Solid work. Can't find the right version though.

[@dopamine_actual]

Really great critique

[@AdAstra78]

Great review! A real favourite of mine, although i struggle to articulate exactly why (!) Isabelle Adjina is extraordinary in it, that's certainly a major factor. The only issue i have with the film is Sam Neill's performance which is frequently difficult to watch. I'm not sure quite what he was going for, but i think his acting here is truly dreadful.

[@queenq2590]

Love your hair

[@styleissubstance]

Quick pronunciation correction: to my understanding, it should sound more like Onzhay Zulwovski. Though I could be a bit off as I'm not Polish.

[@deepfocuslens]

Heh. Thanks. I did my best. XD

[@JohnPaulJakub]

Proud of this being a home country success.. As I hope to do the same with my upcoming film.

[@janamejayad9000]

Great movie. I hope you did watch "On the Silver Globe".

[@snavs420]

The subway freakout scene is so fucking scary and rivals any modern jump-scare horror film. It feels like something we shouldn't be watching. And the screams...the fucking screams...absolutely blood curdling. Adjani is truly going for it.

[@KenFromBeara]

Its a brilliant movie. Seen it so many times and still cannot work out what its about.

[@plasticweapon]

selfishness.

[@Esirre]

11:49 after just watching it I'm wondering what the promise was he made to Helen as she asks him to make a promise and he agrees, this is right before he just goes all out and fight his client and the police (for reasons I can't understand)

[@Subtle-System]

Could you review a film by Kusturica? Maybe "Black cat, white cat" or "underground"?

[@reneemaccrimman5099]

Where could I find the DVD of this movie?

[@deepfocuslens]

Unfortunately it's really hard to find. I was able to buy the uncut blu-ray online before it was no longer in stock. But I'm not sure where now. :/

[@kempwood_foo]

Where can i watch this movie!!??

[@AaronHatcher]

I love the movie. It is um very different than anything I've ever seen. Idk why it was so controversial but it to me is alot about marriage and domestic abuse and then divorce. Um it is pretty insane how great she was able to act in the famous scene. But didn't she like never act again?

[@Cassiopeia11962]

She continued with her career as an actress and she still does some projects today. Look up highlights such as One deadly summer (1983), Subway (1985), Camille Claudel (1988), and La Reine Margot (1994).

[@f7773]

Love the shirt

[@paulvinsonhaler6811]

Have you seen his other film On the silver globe?

[@paigerelly]

Where can I watch this??

[@thatfilmguy232]

You should check out Uncle Boonmee who can recall his Past Lives

[@hydjrasierra1557]

Even awful things deserve to be loved.

[@IvanLendl87]

Great video 👍

[@tenebre8171]

YES. You nailed it.

[@matthewjaco847]

I was lucky enough to track down a blu-ray copy for about $60. Expensive but totally worth it.

[@matthewjaco847]

@Wytchfinde Ah, nice! It had been on my radar to snatch at the first opportunity I saw. Hopefully the same will happen with Ken Russell's "The Devils" if it ever gets rereleased.

[@timn6378]

Can you review beanpole?

[@roneteus]

The most disturbing thing was calling a child Bob. Not Bobby. Not Rob. Bob!

[@johnkennethwiseman682]

it is a brilliant film. hard to follow at times but whoah man

[@urbanguerrillaproductions]

Maybe the guy should of worn your shirt in the office at Paramount Pictures that was told its about a woman that sleeps with an octopus.