There are horror films you admire, horror films you endure, and then there are horror films that grab you by the throat and refuse to let go. Andrzej Żuławski’s Possession sits firmly in that last category. More than four decades after its release, it remains as confrontational, exhausting, and hypnotic as ever, and its Limited Dual Edition Box Set now stands as a definitive resurrection of one of the most unsettling films ever made.
At the center of the madness is Isabelle Adjani, who is simply untouchable here. Adjani is top-notch in everything she does, but Possession captures her at a level that borders on the unrepeatable. Her performance as Anna is feral, exposed, and utterly fearless, a full-body implosion of grief, rage, and desire. It is no surprise that this role earned her Best Actress awards at both Cannes and the Césars. Watching her unravel is not comfortable, but it is mesmerizing, and it anchors the film’s reputation as something closer to emotional warfare than conventional horror.
Opposite her is Sam Neill, delivering a performance that deserves far more credit than it usually gets. Neill has long lived in the shadow of Jurassic Park, as if chasing one dinosaur somehow erased everything else he has done. For those who grew up loving Event Horizon, or who recognize Neill as one of cinema’s original scream kings, Possession is a powerful reminder of just how special he is. As Mark, Neill is volatile, wounded, and increasingly unhinged, perfectly matched to Adjani’s intensity. Together, they create a portrait of a marriage in collapse that feels raw enough to bruise.
Żuławski frames this marital breakdown as a descent into something monstrous. Set against the cold, divided backdrop of Berlin, the film transforms personal trauma into something grotesquely literal. Mark believes Anna’s affair is with another man, but the truth is far more disturbing. Her lover is a diabolical, tentacled creature hidden away in a deserted apartment, brought chillingly to life through the work of effects legend Carlo Rambaldi. The creature is not just shock value. It becomes a physical manifestation of emotional rot, secrecy, and obsession, making the film’s high gore quotient feel purposeful rather than gratuitous.
It is easy to see why Possession was once banned in the UK and landed on the infamous Video Nasties list. This is not horror designed to entertain in neat, crowd-pleasing beats. It screams, it self-mutilates, it lingers in discomfort. Yet that is exactly why it endures. Nominated for the Palme d’Or, Possession stands as a singular work that refuses to behave, and that refusal is what makes it a bona fide classic.
Second Sight Films’ Limited Dual Edition Box Set finally gives the film the treatment it deserves. Presented in a producer-approved 4K restoration with HDR and Dolby Vision, the release showcases Possession in its most striking form yet. The dual format three-disc edition includes one UHD and two Blu-rays, along with the newly restored North American re-edit. The special features are extensive, featuring multiple new audio commentaries, Guillermo del Toro’s reflections on the film, and deep dives into its reception, music, locations, and legacy.
The physical presentation is just as impressive. A rigid slipcase featuring Basha’s original theatrical artwork houses a 220-page hardback book packed with essays, sketches, archival material, and behind-the-scenes galleries. An additional shooting script book with notes by Żuławski and Frederic Tuten, along with collectible art cards, makes this set feel less like a release and more like a complete archive.
With its unrelenting intensity, dark subject matter, and unforgettable performances, Possession remains a horror film like no other. This Limited Edition release cements its legacy and offers the perfect excuse to revisit, or experience for the first time, a film that still feels dangerous, still feels transgressive, and still has the power to leave you shaken.
Jessie Hobson