Possession (2002): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Possession is a 2002 mystery drama directed by Neil LaBute, starring Aaron Eckhart, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam. It is based on Possession by A. S. Byatt. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $14.8 million worldwide. Critics gave it 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- Neil LaBute
- Original language
-
Norwegian - Studio
- USA Films
- Based on
- Possession by A. S. Byatt
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Possession About?
The premise of Possession without spoilers, adapted from Possession by A. S. Byatt. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
During a devastating Spanish flu pandemic, a priest and his son journey back to their isolated Norwegian farm from missionary work in Madagascar. Seeking to build a new church, the priest unknowingly chooses a site upon an ancient Sami burial ground. Disturbing the spirits of the ancestors, a terrifying supernatural force is unleashed, haunting the settlers and confronting them with the chilling reality of death.
Possession Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- painter as artist
- female poet
- bisexual woman
- sex in a hotel room
- swimming
- interrupted sex
- unlacing a corset
- crying woman
- father and daughter meeting
- france
- ferry boat
- alternating time lines
+38 more Show fewer
- seance
- caught in the act
- box
- marital infidelity
- irish man
- man woman romance
- sexless marriage
- married man single woman relationship
- lock of braided hair
- passionate kiss
- pregnancy out of wedlock
- shotgun
- romantic rivalry
- train ride
- man wears underwear
- yorkshire england
- bare chested male
- secret relationship
- secret
- victorian poet
- poet
- academia
- letter
- scholar
- love letter
- drowned body
- train station
- pastiche
- academic
- sotheby's
- waterfall
- research assistant
- brooch
- doll
- reference to sigmund freud
- solicitor
- persecution
- tombstone
Where to Watch Possession
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Possession Cast
Aaron Eckhart leads the cast, with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam. Directed by Neil LaBute; 4 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Neil LaBute
Possession Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Possession 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.
-
IMDb 6.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 52 Metascore
User score 6.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 60% User score
See on TMDB
Possession Plot Summary
What happens in Possession from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a captivating tale that intertwines literary scholarship and romance, Roland Michell (played by Aaron Eckhart) and Maud Bailey (portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow) independently uncover a potentially scandalous connection between two Victorian poets, Randolph Henry Ash (as portrayed by Jeremy Northam) and Christabel LaMotte (embodied by Jennifer Ehle). Despite their opposing personalities—Ash epitomizing traditional conservatism while LaMotte embraces her freethinking, bisexual nature—their tumultuous relationship may have concealed a deeply romantic bond.
Full summary
The whole story of Possession, scene by scene
Possession Box Office
Possession grossed $14.8 million worldwide. $10.1 million came from the US and Canada and $4.7 million (32%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$14.8M
- US & Canada
- $10.1M
- International
- $4.7M
Possession Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Possession.
How Well Do You Know Possession?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who are the two main scholars pursuing the mystery of Ash and LaMotte?
Possession Also Known As
16 alternative titles, including “Одержимость” and “Possession - Una storia romantica”.
- Also known as
-
- Одержимость
- Possession - Una storia romantica
- Besessen
- Költői szerelem
- Posesión
- מכתבי אהבה
- Tutku
- Ερωτικό Μυστικό
- Posedlost
- 포제션
- Possessão
- Posadnutosť
+4 more Show fewer
- 无可救药爱上你
- Одержимість
- Possessió
- 無可救藥愛上你
Seen Possession?
Movies Like Possession
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Possession, Possession and Possessions.
Possession FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of Possession, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Possession?
Possession runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was Possession released?
Possession was released on August 16, 2002.
Who directed Possession?
Possession was directed by Neil LaBute.
More films by Neil LaBute Who is in the cast of Possession?
Possession stars Aaron Eckhart, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam, among 4 credited actors.
Where can I watch Possession?
In the US, Possession is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Possession make at the box office?
Possession grossed $14.8 million worldwide ($10.1 million domestic, $4.7 million international).
How is Possession rated?
Possession has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 52 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.
Is Possession based on a book?
Yes. Possession is adapted from Possession by A. S. Byatt.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
