Brandon Cronenberg's 'Possessor' Explores Bodysnatching as Metaphor for Acting and Contemporary Anxieties
In Brandon Cronenberg's 2020 film 'Possessor', assassin Tasya Vos, portrayed by Andrea Riseborough, utilizes advanced technology to take over bodies for targeted killings. Her boss, Girder, describes these actions as performances. Throughout the film, Vos inhabits Colin Tate, imitating him while executing a complicated assignment. Cronenberg's earlier work, 'Antiviral' (2012), features Caleb Landry Jones as Syd March, delving into celebrity culture through a clinic that sells infections from the famous. Themes of capitalism and social media have been discussed regarding 'Possessor', which Cronenberg acknowledged in a New York Times interview. The uncut version contains erotic scenes hinting at queer themes. Both films explore bodily invasion and viral spread, with 'Antiviral' being notably insightful about epidemiology. 'Possessor' is currently showing in theaters and online.
Key facts
- Brandon Cronenberg directed 'Possessor' in 2020
- Andrea Riseborough plays assassin Tasya Vos
- The film explores bodysnatching as a metaphor for acting
- Cronenberg's previous film 'Antiviral' was released in 2012
- Caleb Landry Jones starred in 'Antiviral' as Syd March
- The New York Times interviewed Cronenberg about the film's themes
- 'Possessor Uncut' includes additional erotic content
- The film was released during the COVID-19 pandemic
Entities
Artists
- Brandon Cronenberg
- Andrea Riseborough
- Caleb Landry Jones
- David Cronenberg
- John Updike
- Steven Soderbergh
Institutions
- The New York Times
- Netflix
- Lucas Clinic
Locations
- Hollywood