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Possession

Play trailer 2:39 Poster for Possession R 1981 2h 4m Horror Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
87% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
After Anna (Isabelle Adjani) reveals to her husband, Mark (Sam Neill), that she is having an affair, she leaves him and their son. Mark is devastated, and seeks out Heinrich (Heinz Bennent), the man who cuckolded him, only to receive a beating. After a series of violent confrontations between Mark and Anna, Mark hires a private investigator to follow her. Anna descends into madness, and it's soon clear that she is hiding a much bigger secret -- one that is both inexplicable and shocking.
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Possession

Possession

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Critics Consensus

Blending genres as effectively as it subverts expectations, Possession uses powerful acting and disquieting imagery to grapple with complex themes.

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Critics Reviews

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Rachel Syme The New Yorker Oct 21, 2024
The film contains one of the great gross-out scenes of all time... Go to Full Review Peter Sobczynski RogerEbert.com Oct 1, 2021
4/4
[Possession] remains one of the most grueling, powerful, and overwhelmingly intense cinematic experiences that you are likely to have in your lifetime. Go to Full Review Ben Sachs Chicago Reader Jan 23, 2014
Adjani won the best actress prize at Cannes for her dual performance (as an unfaithful wife and her angelic doppelganger), but the whole cast is astonishing, exorcising painful feelings with an intensity that rivals that of the filmmaking. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Jul 15, 2026
5/5
…a psychosexual nightmare of ambiguous political intent…Possession is a strikingly acted and original horror film that never loses its edge as a portrait of a relationship crumbling into gelid darkness… Go to Full Review Terrence O'Brien The Verge Feb 20, 2026
Possession is the sort of film that, even if you’ve had the whole plot spoiled for you, can be difficult to follow. Go to Full Review Nadine Whitney InSession Film Jan 29, 2026
A
Possession is more than a horror film, and more than a cult film – it is art under extreme pressure. Sam Neill’s performance is excellent, but no one will ever doubt that the film belongs to Adjani. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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no Oct 6, 2024 wasn’t even the same movie lmfaooo See more unknown Feb 3, 2022 Movies wasn’t even that good, it was boring and most of the time just them fighting and getting naked See more Jelisije J @jjosifovic 5 days ago I can't even begin to describe what I just watched, but all I can say is that this movie is an unforgettable and memorable watch from start to finish. See more Werner K @wernerrrrr12 Oct 10, 2026 A masterpiece of art-house horror; Possession is too good to talk about without spoiling anything. You must watch it; and you must enjoy it! See more Homu L @AkemiLord Oct 10, 2026 The most insane watch ever. Words cannot do justice to how crazy this movie is. You must see it for yourself! See more Abro A @Ozuuu Oct 10, 2026 Insane movie. Utterly crazy film. Neil and Isabelle give it it there all. Watch this. Watch it now! See more Read all reviews
Possession

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Cast & Crew

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Andrzej Żuławski

Director

Isabelle Adjani

Anna

Sam Neill

Mark

Margit Carstensen

Margit Gluckmeister

Heinz Bennent

Heinrich

Johanna Hofer

Heinrich's mother

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Possession

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Movie Info

Synopsis After Anna (Isabelle Adjani) reveals to her husband, Mark (Sam Neill), that she is having an affair, she leaves him and their son. Mark is devastated, and seeks out Heinrich (Heinz Bennent), the man who cuckolded him, only to receive a beating. After a series of violent confrontations between Mark and Anna, Mark hires a private investigator to follow her. Anna descends into madness, and it's soon clear that she is hiding a much bigger secret -- one that is both inexplicable and shocking.
Director
Andrzej Żuławski
Producer
Marie-Laure Reyre
Screenwriter
Frederic Tuten, Andrzej Żuławski
Production Co
Gaumont, Marianne Productions, Oliane Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Horror, Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
2h 4m
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