Possessor Uncut (2020) is a mind-bending, psychological horror-thriller directed by Brandon Cronenberg, the son of famed director David Cronenberg. This film marks a striking, intense exploration of identity, control, and technology, and is known for its disturbing imagery and deeply unsettling narrative.
The story follows Tasya Vos (Andrea Riseborough), an elite assassin who works for a secretive organization. What makes her work so unique is that she uses advanced technology to “possess” other people’s bodies and carry out assassinations without physically being present. Tasya’s consciousness is implanted into the body of a host, who is then used to commit the murders. The hosts have no memory of the crimes afterward, but Tasya’s mind is left to experience the trauma and psychological consequences of these violent acts.
As the film progresses, Tasya takes on a particularly complicated assignment involving a wealthy man named John (Christopher Abbott), who is targeted as part of a larger corporate conspiracy. However, things begin to unravel when Tasya’s control over her host begins to slip, and the boundaries between her own identity and that of her host start to blur. What ensues is a nightmarish journey into the disintegration of her sense of self as she grapples with guilt, manipulation, and a loss of control over her own body.
Possessor Uncut is known for its visceral and graphic violence, with scenes that are both shocking and grotesque. The film uses body horror and surreal imagery to create a sense of dread and unease, while also delving into the psychological and emotional toll of possessing and being possessed. The unsettling gore isn’t gratuitous but serves to emphasize the psychological and moral dissonance experienced by the characters.
The film’s visual style is striking, with Cronenberg employing cold, sterile cinematography that emphasizes the characters’ isolation and detachment. The setting feels dystopian and oppressive, with a technology-driven world that seems to lack empathy. This fits perfectly with the film’s exploration of identity, control, and the consequences of living a life where personal agency is overridden by technology.
Andrea Riseborough’s performance as Tasya is haunting and layered. She plays a woman who is both a ruthless assassin and a deeply troubled individual, trapped in a cycle of violence and self-doubt. Christopher Abbott also delivers a compelling performance as the man whose body is overtaken, adding complexity to the themes of manipulation and control.
Possessor Uncut is a film that operates on a cerebral level, with its themes of technology and the loss of self hitting hard in today’s world of increasing surveillance and digital intrusion. The film can be disturbing, both in its gore and its psychological depth, and its slow-burning narrative keeps the audience on edge as it explores the idea of human consciousness and the moral implications of the technology involved.
