Smile Director to Helm Remake of ‘80s Horror Film Possession With Robert Pattinson

Smile director, Parker Finn, has found his next project, and no, it’s not only Smile 2‘s post-production. He will be in charge of directing a remake of Andrzej Żuławski’s bizarre horror film from 1981, Possession, which is also expected to star Robert Pattinson. Fresh off the success of Smile, his directorial debut, Finn quickly started planning a sequel. And it seems his hands will remain full after he finishes the successor to Paramount’s indie colossus of 2022. The project is still in the early stages, but Finn proved himself to be a worthy horror contender when Smile made over $200 million at the box office. From the critics’ standpoint, it sits comfortably at a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, the remake of Possession has sparked a bidding war between big players like A24, Netflix, and Warner Bros, among others. Finn is also set to write the film, with Pattinson providing more than usual support and sitting in the producer’s chair.

What is the 1981 Horror Film Possession About, and is It Worth Remaking?

The 1981 film by Polish filmmaker Andrzej Żuławski is a one-of-a-kind psychological horror thriller. It tells the story of Mark, a spy who returns to his home in West Berlin to find things are off with his wife, Anna. Without much explanation, she asks for a divorce, and Mark complies, giving her full custody of her son.

But then Mark finds Anna isn’t herself and isn’t taking care of their son. She also seems to have met someone else. Mark decides to hire a private investigator to see what Anna is hiding, and when that man discovers a tentacled creature in the apartment where Anna is now living, the film takes a brilliant, body horror direction that will surely be a prominent theme in the future remake. It’s hard to see where this goes, so assumptions are pointless.

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Isabelle Adjani never gained attention for being a scream queen. However, her role in Possession may be one of the most important in the horror genre.

Some things will be adapted to current times. Żuławski’s film is deeply personal, a reflection of a rocky divorce that left him emotionally derelict. Possession is the result of that, and as cryptic as it still is, it’s also a fascinating exploration of the horrific side of marital relationships. Perhaps a Possession remake is the last thing we would have thought of, but few projects of this kind spark this much curiosity. We’ll just have to wait and see what Finn and Pattinson come up with.