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Robert Pattinson and his latest cinematic venture are garnering some unfavourable attention.
Partnering with Parker Finn, the man behind the 2022 horror film Smile, the actor is set to produce a remake of the 1981 psychological horror Possession. Both will serve as producers via their respective production companies, Icki Eneo Arlo and Bad Feeling.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project sparked a bidding war among major production companies like A24, Netflix, Paramount, Warner Bros and more, and is in its early developmental stages, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks. But online, the announcement has come with some harsh criticism from fans of the original.
Written and directed by Polish filmmaker Andrzej Żuławski, Possession follows married couple Mark and Anna, portrayed by Australia’s Sam Neill and Isabella Adjani. When Mark, an international spy, returns home, the couple begin to navigate the breakdown of their relationship.
A meditation on the tribulations of marriage, the film blends themes of love, betrayal and a wildly intriguing dose of the supernatural with tentacled lovers and doppelgängers—all allegedly inspired by Żuławski’s own split with Polish actress Małgorzata Braunek, who passed away in 2014, two years before Żuławski.
Despite being over 40 years old, though, Possession has experienced a renaissance amongst Gen Z TikTokers, who find themselves relating to the haunting plight of Anna. As she begins to display increasingly erratic behaviour after instigating the divorce, scenes of her manic episodes and one violent—and potentially extraterrestrial—miscarriage have been deemed as an acute reflection of the female experience.
As many reboots haven’t quite hit the mark, fans are naturally dubious of the cult-favourite film. While some are excited to see how its “intense” and “terrifying” plot will be adapted for a modern audience, others are frustrated and concerned about tainting the “perfect” film.
“What’s the point of this and who even is the intended audience,” writes one X user. “Fans of the original film don’t care for a retelling that will inevitably fail to capture what makes it a complex piece authentic to its auteur.”
Watch the trailer for the original film below.
