Despite any potential drawbacks, a remake of one of the top horror films from the 1980s is in the works, with the involvement of Robert Pattinson from Batman and director Parker Finn from Smile.
There was already a certain level of unease surrounding the upcoming release of the English remake of the horror film Speak No Evil, scheduled for later this year. Adding to this, Hollywood is now taking on Andrzej Żuławski’s 1981 psychological horror masterpiece Possession.
The initial film is set in West Berlin during the Cold War, where it follows the breakdown of a marriage between Anna and Mark. Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill deliver powerful and unforgettable portrayals of the couple.
In addition to its remarkable protagonists and exploration of body horror, the movie’s storyline, elevated by Żuławski’s daring and unconventional direction, has been praised over time for its significant thematic complexity.
According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, the filmmaker behind Smile is set to take on the challenge of remaking Possession for a contemporary audience, with Robert Pattinson’s production company Icki Eneo Arlo on board as a producer.
According to the outlet, Finn will be responsible for writing, directing, and co-producing the remake under his Bad Feeling banner. It is yet to be determined if Pattinson will also be involved in the project as an actor, but this information will be clarified at a later time.
According to sources, there is currently a heated bidding war between A24, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, and Warner Bros for the rights to the project, reports THR.
Despite the project generating considerable interest, the announcement has caused many horror fans to feel dismayed, as they are aware that Possession is widely considered one of the greatest horror works ever created.
“In response to the announcement, one user on X/Twitter cautioned, “Do not touch this film,”while another user on X/Twitter concurred, saying, “I agree, not all masterpieces require a remake.”
A third person chimed in, expressing their confusion over the decision. They stated that Possession is a rare gem in terms of its casting, the director’s personal life, and its relevance to world politics, all of which contribute to its distinctiveness and cannot be easily replicated.
Some also sympathize with the person who will play Adjani’s character, not only because her performance is unbeatable but also because of the emotional strain it caused her, particularly during the subway scene.
According to Adjani, it took her years to fully heal from the emotional toll of making the movie, with Żuławski even stating that she had contemplated suicide.
“One fan on Reddit expressed their disappointment with the news, stating, “Sorry, but Isabelle Adjani can’t be replaced.”Another fan also had doubts, writing, “I can’t believe they’re remaking THAT Possession… but I wish the actor playing the Adjani role the best of luck.”
“Yeah, it’s essentially asking someone to surpass the greatest performance ever,”remarked a third person.
Despite some skepticism, there are also fans who remain optimistic, particularly those who mention Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria remake.
“One individual expressed their hope for the film to follow a similar approach as Guadagnino’s Suspiria, where the essence of the original is taken but ultimately results in a completely different movie.”
Another person added, “The main topic of discussion seems to be who will recreate Adjani’s freakout scene and how it will be done. However, it’s worth considering that the new movie doesn’t have to be an exact replica. It could be more like the Suspiria remake, which took a different approach altogether.”
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