Possession (1981)

Option 1Option 2

Avg Rating: 4.4 / 5. Voted: 170

No one cared thus far. Do you?

AKA: The Night the Screaming Stopped
Directed by: Andrzej Zulawski
Starring: Isabelle Adjani (Anna/Helen), Sam Neill (Mark), Heinz Bennent (Heinrich), Margit Carstensen (Margit), Johanna Hofer (Heinrich’s mother)
Country: Germany
Language: English, (English Subtitles)
Runtime: 02:03:36
Genres: Bizarre, Body Modification, Self-Harm, Gruesome, Infidelity, Revenge, Family, Violence against Women

Plot – Spoilers:
Mark has just returned from either a mission, or meeting a mysterious being. Anyway, his wife Anna wants to leave him – there’s another weird man in her life apart from a strange creature she’s got hidden away. All the characters are well nutty, as is the plotline. Towards the end, one of the men who hired Mark shows off his pink socks, which the being Mark initially met with, supposedly wore. Not sure this little nugget of a clue helps understand the film any better. Anna also wears the same dress throughout, except during a ballet class. Is she or Mark totally mental, and the whole thing an extended fantasy for one of them. Not sure I cared enough to know.

Possession will probably appeal to you if you enjoy watching a movie that periodically makes you shake your head and mumble, FUCK IS GOING ON. Or if you just enjoy watching the beautiful Isabelle Adjani. There are some fascinating closeups of her, especially while being assaulted by Sam Neill. There’s also an impressive looking beast fucking her, if that’s of passing interest to you.

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Caagtth
Caagtth
August 3, 2023 6:05 pm

Does anyone have a link to this film in specifically Italian? I know that dubbing exists because I’ve heard the argument scene dubbed.

lori>.<
lori>.<
July 22, 2023 7:37 pm

loved this movie sm and that sex scene was so good :3

Bukowski
Bukowski
May 26, 2023 10:04 am

Wait… what?

Tyrannosaurus
Tyrannosaurus
December 24, 2022 12:50 pm

Sam Neill looks crazy in this, he’s completely different from Jurassic Park and Isabelle Adjan she was kinda hot with perky tits when she was young i wanted to fuck her

Selina Kyle
Selina Kyle
November 30, 2022 2:38 pm

Very interesting psychological sexual ‘horror’. Starts a bit slow, but it is worth waiting for the big finale.

michaelmycock
michaelmycock
November 21, 2022 7:05 pm

this is not a horror film you fucking absolute degenerate retards

Yourababy
Yourababy
Reply to  michaelmycock
March 5, 2023 4:03 pm

Was the slur necessary

Thecrusader
Thecrusader
July 26, 2022 3:15 am

Truly the greatest horror film ever made.

max
max
July 10, 2022 7:50 pm

i’m sorry but this was the most painfully boring movie i’ve ever seen, also, wtf was the sex scene with the alien (or something, god for anna???), that was…ummm, interesting ????

dilfweed
dilfweed
Reply to  max
July 10, 2022 9:19 pm

you clearly have no taste

max
max
Reply to  dilfweed
July 11, 2022 2:54 pm

not everyone has the same taste, shocking right??? ????

OJ not Simpson
OJ not Simpson
Reply to  max
July 11, 2022 8:55 am

That was not an alien, that was the typewriter from the naked lunch.

muffles
muffles
Reply to  OJ not Simpson
July 11, 2022 11:24 am

It is quite possible it was both. Book written in 1959, some stories based in Mexico. Area 51 and all that. If there are many universes and many timelines then a planet of typewriters would exist and to us they would be alien.

max
max
Reply to  OJ not Simpson
July 11, 2022 2:55 pm

yeah i just didn’t know how to describe it

max
max
Reply to  max
July 11, 2022 2:57 pm

damn sorry if this offended anyone ???? but i didn’t understood shit, what was this even about? literally makes no sense

max
max
July 10, 2022 7:47 pm

wtf ☠️☠️

FrankyTeardrop
FrankyTeardrop
July 9, 2022 10:09 am

was expecting this to just me another femcel flick (which it was for the first half, and i would have been content with) but it just kept going and holy shit i’m so glad it did. one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-everything films, while also keeping the pacing well. leaves you with the same feeling a cronenberg would, great performances all around 10/10 thanks eum

jen snaiws
jen snaiws
January 6, 2022 2:40 pm

feel like i need a video essay after this, i fucked with it heavy tho

buck
buck
Reply to  jen snaiws
January 6, 2022 5:16 pm

don’t think about it literally. think as if you were listening to a myth.

TheStonedRanger
TheStonedRanger
October 28, 2021 6:56 pm

Enjoyed this more than The Exorcist, to say the least.

tonyelmono
tonyelmono
September 26, 2021 8:32 am

Well that was kinda goofy. I watched it because of the much commented on monster sex scene, and the date movie was made. Monster sex did not disappoint.

girl
girl
Reply to  tonyelmono
December 24, 2022 12:26 am

youre crazy

Ramin
Ramin
September 18, 2021 8:15 pm

This is ome of the weirdest movies and horror kovies i’ve seen and of the very few horror movies to actually have scared me
It is the kind of movie i didnt get anything about and in the meantime i was shocked by it and loved it as well
Same happened for eraserhead and maybe even tersuo tho they werent horrifying
Isabelle adjani’s performance is marvelous

Aunt Jemima
Aunt Jemima
September 18, 2021 7:26 pm

Don’t waste two hours of your time watching this.

fred fat
fred fat
July 5, 2021 9:16 pm

Adjani is demented and gorgeous – whats not to like?

widad
widad
June 14, 2021 6:20 pm

this has lynchian vibes

Farfadet Kennedy
Farfadet Kennedy
May 11, 2021 8:45 pm

u all fucking gay mmh ??? mmh???

jose
jose
Reply to  Farfadet Kennedy
May 12, 2021 4:24 am

Why? Do you want to suck me off?

Farfadet Kennedy
Farfadet Kennedy
Reply to  jose
May 12, 2021 1:33 pm

yes

DesertFox
DesertFox
May 11, 2021 12:54 am

I came to watch this for the monster sex scene (my only complaint is that scene wasn’t long enough) only to get to the end and realize it’s like the British version of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. At least that’s my take on it.

gay movie watcher
gay movie watcher
Reply to  DesertFox
July 5, 2021 7:52 pm

yeah but the monster sex scene was hot tho

big drip
big drip
April 24, 2021 2:38 am

can’t tell whether the acting was over the top (especially the subway scene) or just right for this film.. Fascinating film nonetheless!

Edit: Adjani won the Best Actress Award for her performance at the 34th Cannes Film Festival, so apparently they liked her acting performance…

Zed Man
Zed Man
February 27, 2021 2:35 am

On You Tube they have this at 2hrs 20. Are we missing something?

Hüseyin
Hüseyin
October 25, 2020 11:47 am

Definitely my favourite film, glad to see its aa popular as ever. DIABEL is pretty great too if POSSESSION was to your taste. Really love the selection on here, so many of my favourites: INLAND EMPIRE, ARREBATO, IN A GLASS CAGE, GUMMO, TETSUO…etc.

Elliot Spencer
Elliot Spencer
October 16, 2020 6:13 pm

@Tim Hartmann

Thanks a TON for the link to On the Silver Globe? I kept hitting paywalls requiring membership on various rare film and European/Russian sites when I was initially trying to find it, n I’m not going to pay some site thats violating copyright to begin with, lol.

Sry it took me a while to see ur link, I didn’t check the comments here for this film in a while due to not caring since I was ostracized for hating Possession;) Watched On the Silver Globe this morning and found it very unique and overall enjoyable. I thought it was brave how the director released it incomplete yet filled in the gaps w narration as well. And I definitely agree in regards to the ott acting from the second ‘savior’ astronaut, and the initial ‘mother’ astronaut as well. Reminds me of another film…? Thanks again tho, definitely was worth the watch due to it being very unique, to say the least. The few other films they have posted there I have all seen, check em out if u haven’t bc they’re all powerhouses in regards to film. Peace;)

ADMINS: THANKS for not editing out his link too, I know how u generally dislike them and do that w posted links, but am thankful u let that one slide. Much appreciated!!

no
no
October 13, 2020 10:19 am

the acting isn’t mediocre, it is iconic. if you think otherwise, then why are you here. Anna’s actor was pure brilliance.

JAY VS. HORROR
JAY VS. HORROR
July 16, 2020 4:36 pm

One of my Top 10. Not everyone gets it and it was intended that way. For those who dig the film it’s a masterpiece examination of the evolving and devolving relationships between Men & Women. For anyone who’s never tripped on that it’s hysterical satire. To each their own. Great upload either way.

Elliot Spencer
Elliot Spencer
Reply to  JAY VS. HORROR
July 26, 2020 9:37 pm

C’mon, please don’t use the stereotypical failed artist excuse of ‘not everyone gets it’ because that’s a pretty big generalization on ur part. Its also asinine to think that we didn’t ‘dig’ it because we never had a failing relationship, lmfao. The movie would’ve been damn good if the acting wasn’t so ludicrous was the big thing, imo. I will agree with u tho on to each their own;)

Poppy
Poppy
Reply to  Elliot Spencer
July 28, 2020 12:38 am

It’s not a failed artist excuse. It’s a descriptive statement you prove in your comments themselves. Some people didn’t react to the acting the way you did. Sure, you laughed at the subway scene, but there’s no need to get defensive about the fact that other people didn’t. Or about the fact that other people found something disturbing or gut-wrenching in Possession. They got something out of it. But, you didn’t. The acting didn’t connect with you so you call it ludicrous. Other people have equally informed and tasteful opinions that say this movie is, in fact, damn good. Maybe open up to the possibility that this film has a huge reputation and it’s NOT because everyone who likes it is a complete dumbass. 😉

Elliot Spencer
Elliot Spencer
Reply to  Poppy
July 28, 2020 4:14 am

It honestly seems like ur the one getting defensive. The commenter generalized and basically said the reasons *he* thought we didn’t like it, and his reasons weren’t at all why I didn’t like it, and since it was only me and one other commenter thus far who didn’t like it, it was obv directed at us. I’m completely open and receptive to others thoughts and ideas as well, I just don’t like people speaking for me, telling me why I didn’t like it/get it, when I had originally stated plainly in my initial thoughts why I didn’t like it, and I understand the film, and relationships, as well. Call it clarifying a point to him I wanted to make;) Never implied ppl that liked it were a dumbass either. It’s not a big deal to me bc like I *originally* said, I do realize I’m in the minority with this. I did view the directors other film, Diabel, shortly after viewing this film, and found that one to be epic, imo, so this was just a miss for me was all, imo. It’s obvious the director has great skill, with this film as well as with his other. Still trying to find his film On the Silver Globe to watch, as I’m very interested in seeing this directors other works, so for better or worse, at least this film left an impression w me, as I basically viewed his other film bc of this one, even tho I didn’t like… Read more »

Tim Hartmann
Tim Hartmann
Reply to  Elliot Spencer
August 31, 2020 3:40 pm

Hey there! If you still haven’t found On The Silver Globe, check it out on this link:

http://exmilitai.re/film.html

I have yet to watch Possession yet, and have it downloaded. I’m happy that I can view it on here as the quality is better here. On The Silver Globe has a lot crammed into it, and I enjoyed watching it. It is lengthy, but truly one of a kind in how it mixes genres. I owe it another viewing, as one of the main characters in the second part started to become a little annoying at how he was almost constantly shouting his lines. So many great films out there to enjoy!

Joey
Joey
Reply to  Elliot Spencer
June 16, 2022 9:29 pm

you’re such a douche

Dee
Dee
July 6, 2020 2:53 am

it isn’t a horror film at all. it’s a mediocre satire with effed up themes.

MR BRIMSTONE
MR BRIMSTONE
Reply to  Dee
March 25, 2022 11:36 pm

I can’t say I agree with your assessment of the film overall. But I do believe that this movie falls in with a bunch of movies that are classified as horror and are not. I’ve grown sick and weary of people who lack insight into a film beyond it’s horrific scenes calling A Serbian film a horror movie. It’s fucking anti-censorship political commentary. Shit, if all it took were horrifying scenes to make a horror movie, Casino would be a horror movie just for the baseball bat ending alone! But it’s not.

Elliot Spencer
Elliot Spencer
July 6, 2020 1:26 am

Thanks admins! Top marks for all the new films as of late:) Zero marks for this film itself tho:/ A dream like film that had the feel of a film made by a director who was tripping balls and trying (poorly) to imitate other arthouse dramas (for example those of the great Bergman, Tarkovsky, etc) that was hampered by and failed MISERABLY due to it’s completely ludicrous, absurd, bipolar acting. The subway scene had me laughing it was that bad. Asinine. Literally anybody could’ve done acting like hers in the subway. Cringeworthy is putting it mildly. Nobody in this film acted like normal people in the least, except for the little kid. And while I realize/understand this was the directors attempt at relating his feelings of ‘exile’ due to censorship, as well as apparently him drawing inspiration from Tolstoy’s epic Anna Karenina (whatever tf that means, I couldn’t see it) etc, EVERYTHING about the characters, and therefore the movie, r completely unrelatable to me, as well as due to the over the top acting. I feel like anyone else who’s had any kind of formal acting training/experience would prbly agree as well A pity, because it could’ve been a great film otherwise. Literally some of the worst acting I’ve EVER seen amongst the thousands of films I’ve viewed. What could’ve easily been a 7 or 8 in my book, poof, gone. I’ll give it a 3/10, for it’s unique plot at least. Creature was badass btw. Will prbly never watch… Read more »

Cyanide_Lollipop
Cyanide_Lollipop
Reply to  Elliot Spencer
October 28, 2021 10:43 pm

Hey, thanks for the heads up. I won’t waste my time now.

MantraBeeg
MantraBeeg
Reply to  Elliot Spencer
January 24, 2022 9:50 pm

You have Serbian Film in your pfp, my guy

kill420blaze69
kill420blaze69
Reply to  Elliot Spencer
February 7, 2022 3:14 pm

youre stupid as fuck if you fail to recognize isabella adjanis acting as good in that movie lol
its meant to be over the top… how can you miss the point this badly lmfao boggles the mind
yeah man, literally anyone can act with the passion she has in that subway scene
its legit laura palmer levels of rawness and if you cant see that i feel sorry for you

sel
sel
Reply to  Elliot Spencer
January 5, 2023 3:15 am

cerrá el hocico tenés a serbian film d foto puto edgy👎👎👎👎👎

Ronny
Ronny
Reply to  Elliot Spencer
March 6, 2023 11:02 pm

” I feel like anyone else who’s had any kind of formal acting training/experience would prbly agree as well”
…what a dork.

Jerry Brammen
Jerry Brammen
July 5, 2020 11:33 pm

The subway scene in this film is required viewing for all horror fans, on the same level as the shower scene in Pyscho.

Elliot Spencer
Elliot Spencer
Reply to  Jerry Brammen
July 6, 2020 12:53 am

Lmfao. No. Hitchcock is rolling in his grave from a comment like that

Paul W Wood
Paul W Wood
Reply to  Elliot Spencer
July 11, 2020 11:25 pm

Well there’s that. Hmmmm best description I can give is War of the Roses mixed with the mind fuckery of Clockwork Orange. About all I can say on this one

Snails
Snails
July 2, 2020 9:11 pm

FUCK YESSSS! Greatest horror film of all time!

big drip
big drip
Reply to  Snails
April 24, 2021 2:33 am

you can’t be serious, right?

Wael Kamel
Wael Kamel
Reply to  Snails
August 28, 2022 8:11 pm

Why you say horror about it its totally surreal