Possessor (2020), directed by Brandon Cronenberg (yes, son of David Cronenberg, the master of body horror), is a cerebral, unsettling, and extremely violent sci-fi thriller that dives into the fragility of identity, technology’s invasion of the human mind, and the corrosion of empathy. It’s not a movie for the faint of heart, but it’s absolutely fascinating. Let’s go through it step by step.
Detailed Summary
Opening Kill: A Bloody Introduction
The film begins with a shocking assassination sequence. A woman named Holly injects a device into her head to connect to the body-snatching technology of a secretive corporation. Under the influence of an external operator, she brutally murders her target. But when it’s time to kill herself and exit the host body, she hesitates. This hesitation foreshadows the core conflict of the film: loss of control and empathy creeping back into the assassin’s psyche.
Meet Tasya Vos
The main character is Tasya Vos (played brilliantly by Andrea Riseborough), an elite assassin working for this corporation. She enters the minds of unwitting hosts using brain-implant technology to carry out high-profile killings, leaving the host to take the blame. After each job, she is tested on her ability to reconnect with her real self, but it’s clear her identity is slipping. She’s emotionally detached from her husband and child, almost studying them rather than feeling connected.
The Colin Tate Mission
Her next target is Colin Tate (Christopher Abbott), a man dating Ava Parse (the daughter of a wealthy CEO, played by Sean Bean). The corporation wants Ava’s father dead to benefit Ava’s stepbrother. Vos takes control of Colin’s body and begins preparing for the hit. But Colin’s mental defenses are stronger than expected, and a battle of wills begins inside his head.
Identity Breakdown
As Vos inhabits Colin, she begins losing control. Colin starts to sense he is being manipulated, fighting against her presence. The line between Tasya’s mind and Colin’s begins to blur. She hallucinates, loses track of her own memories, and even begins to enjoy Colin’s body in ways that conflict with her mission. The violence escalates as Vos’ psyche deteriorates, making her increasingly unstable.
⇢ VIRAL RIGHT NOW
Movie Ending
The climax is both brutal and tragic. Colin regains partial control of his body and, realizing something is wrong, confronts Ava. Instead of the clean assassination planned by the corporation, he brutally murders Ava in a disturbing frenzy. He then tracks down Ava’s father (Sean Bean), who survives a horrifying stabbing but is left mutilated.
Eventually, Colin (still partially under Vos’ influence) flees to confront Vos’ real family. In a harrowing sequence, Colin stabs Vos’ husband in front of their child. The child then shoots Colin—but here’s the twist: Tasya is still inside. As she bleeds out, her boss, Girder (Jennifer Jason Leigh), pulls her consciousness out of Colin.
The final moments show Tasya being tested again on her identity. She recalls an old childhood memory involving killing a butterfly. This time, she does not mention feeling guilt for pinning it—suggesting she has finally shed her last shred of empathy, fully embracing her role as a cold, detached killer. The movie ends with Vos transformed: no longer human in any meaningful sense.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Possessor does not have a post-credits scene. The bleak ending is final and self-contained. Once the credits roll, the psychological gut-punch is meant to linger.
Type of Movie
Possessor is a sci-fi psychological horror/thriller with strong body-horror elements. It mixes futuristic technology with grotesque violence and existential dread, very much in line with the Cronenberg family tradition.
Cast
- Andrea Riseborough as Tasya Vos
- Christopher Abbott as Colin Tate
- Jennifer Jason Leigh as Girder
- Sean Bean as John Parse
- Tuppence Middleton as Ava Parse
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Jim Williams, whose unsettling and atmospheric music adds to the sense of dread. It’s an eerie soundscape rather than a traditional score, emphasizing unease and the disintegration of identity.
Filming Locations
The film was shot in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with many sequences using stark modernist architecture to emphasize alienation and corporate coldness. The urban landscapes reflect the sterile, controlled environment where identity and humanity are commodified.
⇢ KEEP UP WITH THE TREND
Awards and Nominations
Possessor premiered at Sundance and won Best Feature at the Sitges Film Festival. It also picked up several nominations for cinematography, sound design, and direction in various independent and horror film award circuits.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Brandon Cronenberg took years to develop the script, focusing on his fascination with identity and consciousness.
- Andrea Riseborough and Christopher Abbott worked closely to synchronize their performances, often studying each other’s mannerisms.
- The practical effects (like the grotesque gore) were emphasized over CGI to give the violence a more visceral, uncomfortable feel.
- Cronenberg insisted on keeping the violence raw and uncompromising, leading to some censorship debates in different markets.
Inspirations and References
The film is heavily inspired by:
- David Cronenberg’s body horror cinema, such as Videodrome and Scanners.
- The philosophical works exploring identity and selfhood (e.g., Philip K. Dick’s themes).
- Surveillance culture and corporate control motifs that echo Black Mirror.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
While no widely public alternate ending has been confirmed, Brandon Cronenberg mentioned that several scenes exploring Tasya’s disconnection from her family were shortened in editing. The final cut aims to keep the pacing tight and the ambiguity intact.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Possessor is not adapted from a book. It is an original screenplay by Brandon Cronenberg.
⇢ MOST SHARED RIGHT NOW
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Holly’s assassination in the opening scene—setting the tone of violence and control.
- Vos rehearsing her speech before seeing her husband, showing how alienated she’s become.
- Colin staring in the mirror, trying to determine if he’s still himself.
- The final child-shooting scene, which is one of the most shocking moments in recent sci-fi horror.
Iconic Quotes
- “Pull me out.”
- “You have a very special nature. One we’ve worked hard together to unlock.” (Girder to Vos)
- “It’s getting easier to hide in his skin.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Vos’ butterfly memory isn’t just a random anecdote—it symbolizes her last emotional tether, which is completely severed by the end.
- The recurring motif of mirrors and reflections emphasizes identity splitting.
- Sean Bean’s character (for once!) doesn’t die in the traditional way—he survives the stabbing but is horribly scarred.
Trivia
- The film had two versions: an uncut NC-17 version and a censored R-rated cut. The uncut is much more graphic.
- Sean Bean, famously known for on-screen deaths, ironically doesn’t die here—an intentional subversion.
- Christopher Abbott described the role as “the most psychologically exhausting” of his career.
Why Watch?
If you enjoy thought-provoking sci-fi mixed with raw horror, Possessor is a must-watch. It’s not just about gore—it’s a chilling meditation on how technology erodes human identity and empathy. It leaves you questioning: where do “you” end and someone else begin?
Director’s Other Movies
- Antiviral (2012)