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Sci-fi thriller

Possessor Uncut (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Possessor Uncut (2020) movie poster

Possessor Uncut is a 2020 sci-fi thriller directed by Brandon Cronenberg, starring Andrea Riseborough as Tasya Vos, Rossif Sutherland and Jennifer Jason Leigh. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $911,180 worldwide on a $2.5 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Independent Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2021. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$911.2K
award nomination
1
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Possessor Uncut (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Genres
Sci-Fi , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
Studio
Neon
Budget
$2.5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Possessor Uncut About?

The premise of Possessor Uncut without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Tasya Vos is an elite assassin who utilizes advanced technology to inhabit the bodies of others, carrying out assassinations for a shadowy corporation. As she undertakes these assignments, the lines between her own identity and those of her hosts become increasingly blurred. The process takes a psychological toll, and she struggles to maintain control as the dark world of corporate espionage threatens to consume her.

Possessor Uncut Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • questioning sanity
  • lack of empathy
  • choking during sex
  • mind parasite
  • murder of a child
  • gore
  • cyber possession
  • sociopath
  • suicide-by-cop
  • stabbed in the eye
  • brain implant
  • written by director
+38 more
  • blood
  • syringe
  • hallucination
  • sadism
  • murder spree
  • tech noir
  • body horror
  • looking at oneself in a mirror
  • male nudity
  • covering someone's mouth
  • surveillance camera
  • loss of girlfriend
  • blonde
  • fireplace poker as a weapon
  • fireplace poker in the eye
  • techno thriller
  • woman in a shower
  • psychological horror
  • male frontal nudity
  • injection
  • male full frontal nudity
  • female nudity
  • dystopia
  • assassination attempt
  • brushing one's teeth
  • female full frontal nudity
  • stabbed with a needle
  • near future
  • machine
  • apartment
  • news report
  • corporation
  • brutality
  • technology
  • violence
  • agony
  • rage
  • pain
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Cast & crew

Possessor Uncut Cast & Characters

Andrea Riseborough leads the cast as Tasya Vos, with Rossif Sutherland as Michael Vos and Jennifer Jason Leigh as Girder. Directed by Brandon Cronenberg; 15 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Brandon Cronenberg

More films directed by Brandon Cronenberg, best-rated first: Infinity Pool, Antiviral, Possessor and Please Speak Continuously and Describe Your Experiences as They Come to You.

Full filmography
Ratings

Possessor Uncut Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Possessor Uncut 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (65).

78 /100

Possessor Uncut Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of its overall impact, Possessor Uncut presents a visually striking and thematically ambitious experience that divides audiences. Reviewers commonly praise the film’s bold visual design and Andrea Riseborough’s committed performance, while noting that the narrative demands attentive viewing and leaves some plot threads ambiguous. The blend of visceral horror with measured pacing is frequently cited as both a strength and a potential barrier for some viewers. On balance, the film’s distinctive style and emotional tension offer a memorable, if sometimes challenging, cinematic experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of Art & Craft, Possessor Uncut excels with its meticulous visual design and technical precision. Reviewers highlight the film’s striking cinematography, bold production design featuring neo-baroque elements, and carefully calibrated editing that accentuates tension. Even the soulless cityscapes are rendered with intent. Overall, the film’s craft elevates its unsettling narrative through refined visual execution.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    In terms of Character & Emotion, performances anchor the film amid its unsettling scenario. Andrea Riseborough’s nuanced portrayal is widely noted for conveying internal conflict, while Jennifer Jason Leigh’s supporting role adds emotional texture through understated chemistry. Some viewers find the protagonist’s inner journey underexplored or ambiguous, which can hinder emotional connection. Nonetheless, strong acting commitments lend the film an enduring emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of Story & Flow, Possessor Uncut presents an original concept that challenges conventional thriller structures. Critics acknowledge the film’s measured pacing and inventive premise of consciousness transference, but several viewers report confusion with its ambiguous plot threads and unresolved finale. The balance of suspense and intellectual complexity can feel uneven, leading to divided engagement. Overall, the narrative’s ambition is clear despite occasional coherence issues.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of Sensory Experience, the film delivers a potent blend of auditory and visual impact. Praise centers on the unsettling sound design and a score that amplifies tension, while the visceral imagery—from grisly practical effects to stylized color work—creates an immersive atmosphere. Some viewers find the excessive gore distracting, yet the cohesive audiovisual approach underpins the film’s disturbing allure.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, Possessor Uncut offers a compelling enough premise to reward multiple viewings for attentive audiences. Several critics note that the film’s dense thematic layers, subtle visual cues, and psychological complexity become more apparent on subsequent viewings. However, some viewers may find ambiguity and narrative opacity less conducive to repeat watches. Overall, the film maintains a lasting curiosity appeal for those drawn to its unsettling world.

Plot

Possessor Uncut Plot Summary

What happens in Possessor Uncut from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In an alternate version of 2008, Tasya Vos, portrayed by Andrea Riseborough, is a skilled assassin with a unique method: she takes control of other people’s bodies to execute her assignments. Utilizing a specialized machine that connects to her victims via an implant in their brains, Vos can insert her consciousness into their minds. The grim aspect of her work entails that she must force her host to commit suicide at the conclusion of each mission, allowing her to return to her own body.

Full summary

The whole story of Possessor Uncut, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Possessor Uncut Box Office & Budget

Possessor Uncut grossed $911,180 worldwide on a $2.5 million budget, 36% of what it cost. $752,885 came from the US and Canada and $158,295 (17%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$911.2K

36% of its budget back

US & Canada
$752.9K
International
$158.3K
Budget
$2.5M
US & Canada 83% Rest of the world 17%
Awards

Possessor Uncut Awards & Nominations

Possessor Uncut earned 1 award nomination, including Best Independent Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2021.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Possessor Uncut Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer, 2 teasers and 1 featurette.

Trailer
  • Teaser Red Band Teaser
  • Teaser Green Band Teaser
  • Featurette Q&A at the BFI London Film Festival 2020
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Possessor Uncut?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Tasya Vos's profession?

Cars

Cars in Possessor Uncut

2 cars on screen: the Divco and the 1949 Kaiser De Luxe.

  • Divco in Possessor Uncut Divco Minor role
  • 1949 Kaiser De Luxe in Possessor Uncut 1949 Kaiser De Luxe Minor role
Details

Possessor Uncut Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “Обладатель” and “조종자”.

Also known as
  • Обладатель
  • 조종자
  • В чужой шкуре
  • 占有者
  • 포제서
  • דיבוק
  • Possessor: Controlador de mentes
  • Possesseur
  • 寄身殺手
  • Поневолені
  • Gyilkos tudat
  • Người Sở Hữu
+6 more
  • Valdytojas
  • Превъплъщенец
  • ポゼッサー
  • Ülevõtja
  • Polaščevalka
  • Valdītāja

Seen Possessor Uncut?

FAQ

Possessor Uncut FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Possessor Uncut, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Possessor Uncut?

Possessor Uncut runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).

When was Possessor Uncut released?

Possessor Uncut was released on October 2, 2020.

Who directed Possessor Uncut?

Possessor Uncut was directed by Brandon Cronenberg.

More films by Brandon Cronenberg

Who is in the cast of Possessor Uncut?

Possessor Uncut stars Andrea Riseborough as Tasya Vos, Rossif Sutherland as Michael Vos and Jennifer Jason Leigh as Girder, among 15 credited actors.

How much did Possessor Uncut make at the box office?

Possessor Uncut grossed $911,180 worldwide ($752,885 domestic, $158,295 international) on a budget of $2.5 million.

How is Possessor Uncut rated?

Possessor Uncut has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64% on TMDB and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Was Possessor Uncut nominated for any awards?

Possessor Uncut received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Possessor Uncut have a post-credit scene?

No. Possessor Uncut has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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