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Possum

  • 2018
  • TV-14
  • 1h 25m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Possum (2018)
After returning to his childhood home, a disgraced children's puppeteer is forced to confront his wicked stepfather and the secrets that have tortured his entire life.
Play trailer1:58
1 Video
57 Photos
Body HorrorFolk HorrorPsychological HorrorPsychological ThrillerDramaHorrorMysteryThriller

After returning to his childhood home, a disgraced children's puppeteer is forced to confront his wicked stepfather and the secrets that have tortured his entire life.After returning to his childhood home, a disgraced children's puppeteer is forced to confront his wicked stepfather and the secrets that have tortured his entire life.After returning to his childhood home, a disgraced children's puppeteer is forced to confront his wicked stepfather and the secrets that have tortured his entire life.

  • Director
    • Matthew Holness
  • Writer
    • Matthew Holness
  • Stars
    • Sean Harris
    • Alun Armstrong
    • Andy Blithe
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Matthew Holness
    • Writer
      • Matthew Holness
    • Stars
      • Sean Harris
      • Alun Armstrong
      • Andy Blithe
    • 171User reviews
    • 81Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:58
    Official Trailer

    Photos57

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    + 52
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    Top cast27

    Edit
    Sean Harris
    Sean Harris
    • Philip
    Alun Armstrong
    Alun Armstrong
    • Maurice
    Andy Blithe
    Andy Blithe
    • Michael's Father
    Ryan Enever
    Ryan Enever
    • Michael's Uncle
    Charlie Eales
    • Michael
    Joe Gallucci
    • Lee
    Rohan Gotobed
    Rohan Gotobed
    • Andrew
    Raphel Famotibe
    Raphel Famotibe
    • Simon
    Simon Bubb
    • Mr. Evans
    Katie Lightfoot
    • Mrs. Atwood
    Elliot Booty
    • Youth 1
    Abraham Graham
    • Youth 2
    Ryan Davenport
    • Young Boy
    Susie Fowler-Watt
    • Newsreader
    Freya Cannon
    • Child on Train 1
    Andreas Christophi
    • Child on Train 2
    • (as Andreas Christoph)
    Pamela Cook
    Pamela Cook
    • Mother with Push Chair
    Rachel Kirby
    • Another Mother
    • Director
      • Matthew Holness
    • Writer
      • Matthew Holness
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews171

    5.811.2K
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    Featured reviews

    7afrodome

    Low Rating is Inaccurate

    This was a legitimately solid movie. It somehow managed to feel strange albeit perverted without the use of any exploitive tropes. The feeling of unease definitely comes from the puppet itself; the use of old grungy synths adds to it's abrasively painful presence. The perforemances were never theatrical, but still has the edge of beingn satirical without ever being 'funny'. Expect to get creeped out//or at least uncomfortable when watching. I watched during the daytime and was still frazzled for angood 2 hours after watching. Brit Horror doesnit again. 7/10
    9Marco_Tontodonati

    An Underrated Gem

    This film was brilliant, it has a haunting charm and is the only film (other than Donnie Darko and Hereditary) that left me jaw-dropped by the time the screen cut to black and the credits rolled.

    This film has beautiful cinematography, haunting soundtrack and even better acting. Seriously, Sean Harris does a fantastic job, the way he manipulates his eyes to represent the torture his character goes through is genuinely scary.

    Need I talk about the uncle character? I won't spoil anything but, Jesus, his character makes me unsettled and uncomfortable everytime he is on screen.

    I love this film a lot, it's not a scary film, but definitely a haunting one.

    I really don't get the criticisms: I don't see how it was boring at all, it was an hour and a half long and despite feeling like a slow burn, it has a surprisingly fast pace. It's not dull, it's bleak, quiet and grey. Also, it's not a horror movie!!! Stop saying it's a bad horror because it's a thriller, it's a study on the psyche of an incredibly tortured soul. Don't go into this expecting a horror movie.
    7Pjtaylor-96-138044

    You can't kill it...

    'Possum (2018)' is a psychological thriller laden with symbolism and metaphor, both of which aren't fully fathomable until the credits have rolled. Once they have, however, the piece's previously enigmatic images and implications become much more impactful. In fact, they become downright disturbing. This is the true strength of the bizarre little tale: its retrospective horror. Of course, it has in-the-moment merit, too. This includes, but isn't limited to, a fantastic lead performance from Harris, a creepily ethereal score and some successful surrealist imagery. The spidery puppet that stalks the protagonist is rather alarming, especially when it decides to move. It's not so much a 'creature' as a reflection of both the lead's long-buried trauma and film's true meaning, which collate in a truly harrowing final scene. Obviously, the flick isn't perfect. It's pretty slow and, even, repetitive, especially as it moves into its second act. It also asks quite a lot of its audience, in the sense that it requires total engagement in order for its payoff to really stick. I can see why some haven't connected with it. However, its atmosphere and general intrigue are more than enough for me. When all is said and done, it forms a cohesive and actually quite (unconventionally) scary experience. It's not a nice film, but it's undeniably an affecting one. 7/10
    8rosspatrick-26-445640

    Sinister AF

    Found this little gem on Halloween and glad I did. Even though it's not a typical horror persae I would lump it in with Babadook. However I found this movie had more weight than Babadook. Possum is emotionally and psychologically heavy and even though it's a slow burner (some may tire easy) it does hold your attention with very few actors. The film is very atmospheric and does not rely on jump scares but paints a very sad picture indeed. Bleak and sinister af the end made me feel sick, worth a watch.
    8mackstanbridge

    Flawed but skin-crawling feature. One of the best horror/thriller movies to come out this year

    I really don't understand how this film only has a 5.6 rating on here. Are we really that desperate to get baited with a jumpscare that a good film like this will simply get overlooked and criticized for simply building up suspense?

    Anyways, while the movie may tend to get a bit tedious towards the midpoint, it does tend to feed you just enough information to keep you intrigued until the last half hour, which is absolutely exceptional and possibly the most scared I've ever been watching a horror. However, that does not change that fact that if you miss a tidbit of info, you may become lost and therefore uninvested in the film from there. Sean Harris and Alun Armstrong both do exceptional jobs in their roles in this film; their performances alone are worth seeing this film. The puppet or "Possum" is pure nightmare fuel, and some of the practical affects of this film are really quite convincing in making it seem alive. The soundtrack by the Radiophonic Workshop in this film is unbelievable, and I don't think this movie would be able to succeed without it.

    There's also countless metaphors throughout the movie, several shots that pay homage to movies such as Trainspotting, and an absolutely shocking ending. However, it's probably best that there are no spoilers on this review, and instead recommend that you see this film yourself. If you're into horror movies with a large level of suspense throughout, without relying on the easy satisfaction of jumpscares, this film should definitely be next on your list.

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    Related interests

    Jeff Goldblum in The Fly (1986)
    Body Horror
    Florence Pugh in Midsommar (2019)
    Folk Horror
    Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out (2017)
    Psychological Horror
    Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl (2014)
    Psychological Thriller
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Philip (Sean Harris) does not smile once through this film. In fact he wears a frown throughout more than 95% of the movie.
    • Quotes

      Philip: Can you spy him deep within? Little Possum, black as sin. Bag is open, growing wider. What's inside it, man or spider? Little boy, don't lose your way. Possum wants to come and play.

    • Connections
      Featured in WhatCulture Horror: 10 Recent Horror Movie Scenes Too Disturbing To Watch (2021)

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Possum?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 26, 2018 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Zarigüeya
    • Production companies
      • The Fyzz
      • Evandine Productions
      • Kodak
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $33,225
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 25m(85 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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