A stylish and visceral horror thriller from Brandon Cronenberg follows an assassin who possesses people's minds via a cutting edge technology from a clandestine organization to carry out her kills. This Blu-ray release from Well Go USA is top notch and highly recommended.
Possessor Uncut – the name a bit misleading since this is in fact the theatrical version and there is no other “cut” version – is writer/director Brandon Cronenberg’s, (son of David Cronenberg) second feature film. It is obvious Cronenberg has inherited his father’s sense of the macabre, off kilter, and heightened sense of reality with this highly stylized, sci-fi, horror/thriller.
Tasya Vos (Andrea Riseborough) is an agent for a covert organization that uses cutting edge brain-implant technology to allow Tasya to invade people’s minds and carry out perfectly untraceable assassinations for high paying clients. When someone wants one of the nation’s leading businessmen, John Parse (Sean Bean) killed, Tasya possesses the body of his daughter Ava’s (Tuppence Middleton) boyfriend Colin (Christopher Abbott), begins to live his life and setup a plausible murder-suicide scenario.
But Tasya has a hitch in her programming/implant. She begins to fall in love with Ava and she has also been unable to ‘end’ her assignments by killing, or rather, committing suicide while possessing her host, which leads to complications.
Cronenberg creates an atmospheric, stylistic alternate world with Possessor where everyone seems to be living in a heightened sense of reality. Gorgeous, modernist settings, shadowy rooms, tight closeups on faces, a score from Jim Williams that is lush and atmospheric. The film begins as a mysterious thriller and slowly builds towards more visceral gore porn that’s both shocking and ultimately a release of the slow-building tension.
Possessor cuts across genres blending the best of sci-fi, horror, and thrillers of old. This is both contemporary and throwback territory and one that is awesome to watch alone in the dark.
Possessor (2020)
1 of 5
The Video
For whatever the reason, Possessor Uncut is yet another title from Well Go that is available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with HDR and digital formats that they have only sent me the Blu-ray for despite my request for the 4K combo and despite the 4K going out to other outlets, so I can only review the Blu-ray for our readers. This is a film that was shot on the Arri Amira with Canon K35, Laowa 24mm Macro Probe, 90mm Macro Kilar and Angenieux 25-250 Vintage Zoom lenses in ProRes 4444 (2.8K). A 4K master was used and this Blu-ray arrives in an AVC 1080p encodement framed at 1.78:1. This is in fact a great looking disc and despite the lack of HDR is superior to the digital 4K version in that it is just as detailed, looks just as filmic, and has superb shadow detail that lacks the banding and noise of the digital 4K version (which I bought). Colors aren’t exactly natural here, but this is an artistic choice. Flesh tones can look a little bit pushed to the red, but not excessively so. Overall, this is fantastic, filmic, reference quality digital production on Blu-ray.
The Audio
The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix for Possessor Uncut is brilliant and just the sort of mix you want for a thriller like this. Doors swing open from off to the side, footsteps creep up from behind you, conversations waft in from rooms off to the left, and the score caresses you in its lushness.
The Supplements
There’s a good bit of ‘making of’ type featurettes included and three lengthy deleted scenes, all in HD.
Deleted Scenes (1080p)
Panic Attack (00:03:45)
Reid’s in the Pool (00:03:02)
Wake up and Count (00:01:25)
Behind the Scenes
A Heightened World (00:10:30)
Identity Crisis (00:14:42)
The Joy of Practical (00:12:12)
Green Band Teaser
Red Band Teaser
Uncut Trailer
The Final Assessment
A visceral film that shows growth for Cronenberg who continues to move out from his large looming father’s shadow. The Blu-ray from Well Go is also a fantastic disc and is unquestionably still better than the digital 4K version.
If you found this review useful please consider clicking the button below and donating to help keep TheaterByte funded and to allow us to continue posting great content.
Possessor Uncut is out on Blu-ray & 4K Ultra HD Combo December 8, 2020 from Well Go USA
Rating Certificate: R (for strong bloody disturbing violence, strong sexual content, some graphic nudity, language and brief drug use)
Studios & Distributors: Rhombus Media | Rook Films| Particular Crowd
Notice of Compliance with FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 255
In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR part 255 guidelines, this website hereby states that it receives free discs and other theatrical or home entertainment "screeners" and access to screening links from studios and/or PR firms, and is provided with consumer electronics devices on loan from hardware manufacturers and/or PR firms respectively for the purposes of evaluating the products and its content for editorial reviews. We receive no compensation from these companies for our opinions or for the writing of reviews or editorials. Permission is sometimes granted to companies to quote our work and editorial reviews free of charge. Our website may contain affiliate marketing links, which means we may get paid commission on sales of those products or the services we write about. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers or affiliate partnerships. This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR § 255.5: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
A stylish and visceral horror thriller from Brandon Cronenberg follows an assassin who possesses people's minds via a cutting edge technology from a clandestine organization to carry out her kills. This Blu-ray release from Well Go USA is top notch and highly recommended. Possessor Uncut (Blu-ray Review)
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
{"id":51,"mode":"button","open_style":"in_modal","currency_code":"USD","currency_symbol":"$","currency_type":"decimal","blank_flag_url":"https:\/\/www.theaterbyte.com\/wordpress\/core\/modules\/efb9325b07\/\/assets\/images\/flags\/blank.gif","flag_sprite_url":"https:\/\/www.theaterbyte.com\/wordpress\/core\/modules\/efb9325b07\/\/assets\/images\/flags\/flags.png","default_amount":500,"top_media_type":"none","featured_image_url":false,"featured_embed":"","header_media":null,"file_download_attachment_data":null,"recurring_options_enabled":true,"recurring_options":{"never":{"selected":true,"after_output":"One time only"},"weekly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every week"},"monthly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every month"},"yearly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every year"}},"strings":{"current_user_email":"","current_user_name":"","link_text":"Leave a tip","complete_payment_button_error_text":"Check info and try again","payment_verb":"Pay","payment_request_label":"TheaterByte","form_has_an_error":"Please check and fix the errors above","general_server_error":"Something isn't working right at the moment. Please try again.","form_title":"TheaterByte","form_subtitle":"We are creating Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Movie, and Home Theater electronics reviews.","currency_search_text":"Country or Currency here","other_payment_option":"Other payment option","manage_payments_button_text":"Manage your payments","thank_you_message":"Thank you for being a supporter!","payment_confirmation_title":"TheaterByte","receipt_title":"Your Receipt","print_receipt":"Print Receipt","email_receipt":"Email Receipt","email_receipt_sending":"Sending receipt...","email_receipt_success":"Email receipt successfully sent","email_receipt_failed":"Email receipt failed to send. Please try again.","receipt_payee":"Paid to","receipt_statement_descriptor":"This will show up on your statement as","receipt_date":"Date","receipt_transaction_id":"Transaction ID","receipt_transaction_amount":"Amount","refund_payer":"Refund from","login":"Log in to manage your payments","manage_payments":"Manage Payments","transactions_title":"Your Transactions","transaction_title":"Transaction Receipt","transaction_period":"Plan Period","arrangements_title":"Your Plans","arrangement_title":"Manage Plan","arrangement_details":"Plan Details","arrangement_id_title":"Plan ID","arrangement_payment_method_title":"Payment Method","arrangement_amount_title":"Plan Amount","arrangement_renewal_title":"Next renewal date","arrangement_action_cancel":"Cancel Plan","arrangement_action_cant_cancel":"Cancelling is currently not available.","arrangement_action_cancel_double":"Are you sure you'd like to cancel?","arrangement_cancelling":"Cancelling Plan...","arrangement_cancelled":"Plan Cancelled","arrangement_failed_to_cancel":"Failed to cancel plan","back_to_plans":"\u2190 Back to Plans","update_payment_method_verb":"Update","sca_auth_description":"Your have a pending renewal payment which requires authorization.","sca_auth_verb":"Authorize renewal payment","sca_authing_verb":"Authorizing payment","sca_authed_verb":"Payment successfully authorized!","sca_auth_failed":"Unable to authorize! Please try again.","login_button_text":"Log in","login_form_has_an_error":"Please check and fix the errors above","uppercase_search":"Search","lowercase_search":"search","uppercase_page":"Page","lowercase_page":"page","uppercase_items":"Items","lowercase_items":"items","uppercase_per":"Per","lowercase_per":"per","uppercase_of":"Of","lowercase_of":"of","back":"Back to plans","zip_code_placeholder":"Zip\/Postal Code","download_file_button_text":"Download File","input_field_instructions":{"tip_amount":{"placeholder_text":"How much would you like to tip?","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"How much would you like to tip? Choose any currency."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"How much would you like to tip? Choose any currency."},"invalid_curency":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please choose a valid currency."}},"recurring":{"placeholder_text":"Recurring","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"}},"name":{"placeholder_text":"Name on Credit Card","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter the name on your card."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter the name on your card."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please enter the name on your card."}},"privacy_policy":{"terms_title":"Terms and conditions","terms_body":null,"terms_show_text":"View Terms","terms_hide_text":"Hide Terms","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"I agree to the terms."},"unchecked":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please agree to the terms."},"checked":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"I agree to the terms."}},"email":{"placeholder_text":"Your email address","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"not_an_email_address":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Make sure you have entered a valid email address"}},"note_with_tip":{"placeholder_text":"Your note here...","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"not_empty_initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"saving":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Saving note..."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Note successfully saved!"},"error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Unable to save note note at this time. Please try again."}},"email_for_login_code":{"placeholder_text":"Your email address","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."}},"login_code":{"initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."}},"stripe_all_in_one":{"initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"success":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"invalid_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is not a valid credit card number."},"invalid_expiry_month":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration month is invalid."},"invalid_expiry_year":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration year is invalid."},"invalid_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is invalid."},"incorrect_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is incorrect."},"incomplete_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is incomplete."},"incomplete_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is incomplete."},"incomplete_expiry":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration date is incomplete."},"incomplete_zip":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's zip code is incomplete."},"expired_card":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card has expired."},"incorrect_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is incorrect."},"incorrect_zip":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's zip code failed validation."},"invalid_expiry_year_past":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration year is in the past"},"card_declined":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card was declined."},"missing":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"There is no card on a customer that is being charged."},"processing_error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"An error occurred while processing the card."},"invalid_request_error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Unable to process this payment, please try again or use alternative method."},"invalid_sofort_country":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The billing country is not accepted by SOFORT. Please try another country."}}}},"fetched_oembed_html":false}