Possessor (2020)

Directed by Brandon Cronenberg. Starring Christopher Abbott, Andrea Riseborough, Tuppence Middleton, Rossif Sutherland, Sean Bean, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Raoul Bhaneja, Kaniehtiio, Gabrielle Graham. [R]

Humorless, haunting science fiction film with formidable overtones of psychological trauma and body horror works as both a mindbender/genderbender and an arty, semi-hallucinatory thriller. Riseborough’s trained assassin enters the minds of other people to carry out the hits for her, as first demonstrated in the bravura slice-and-dice prologue; her latest assignment has her taking control of the psyche of the young man (Abbott) who’s dating the daughter of the target, a heartless CEO played by the seemingly always-doomed Bean. Trouble is, she doesn’t always possess full control of her “vessel,” and the complications threaten to invade her personal life. Director Cronenberg exhibits much of his father’s (David) penchant for identity issue themes and repulsion through the literal application of metamorphosis—to say nothing for a fondness for extreme violence and gore—and the disturbing, surreal results speak for themselves even if the meaning behind it might prove elusive. Its sedate pace allows for time to scan the corners of the canvas and ponder each disturbing implication, but it’s bound to repel or bore those unwilling to commit; the striking aesthetic, flush with dense, metallic colors and chilly, spacious production design, at least makes the film dazzling just to look at it (provided one has a tolerance for free-flowing blood and other grotesqueries). Cronenberg also wrote the screenplay.

76/100