Synopsis: After returning to his childhood home, a disgraced children’s puppeteer is forced to confront his wicked uncle and the secrets that have tortured his entire life.
Possum has been on my list for quite a while but I’ve never had the nerve to sit down with it. It is one of those divisive horror films that splits audiences down the middle. If you’re looking for the relentless killer stalking his prey or jump scares galore won’t enjoy this ride. However, if you lean more toward the dark psychological slow burn, this one’s for you. Either way you will more than likely feel dirty by the end of it all. This is a story that forces you to think and will stick with you long after viewing it. Word of warning though before we get too deep. This is a tale of abuse and the deep scars associated with it.
Phillip Sean Harris (The Green Knight) is a disgraced children’s puppeteer. After the “incident”, he’s forced to return to his childhood home that he shares with his sadistically cruel uncle Maurice Alun Armstrong (Krull). He’s back to dispose of a horrific spider-like puppet named “Possum” that he has in his possession. Phillip begins visiting various places from his youth, looking for a final resting place for the odd companion. After repeated attempts the puppet inexplicably returns to him. Like a trauma he can’t escape. He winds up finding a picture book about what Possum is and where it came from. Elaborating on how it creeps upon unsuspecting children while they sleep in their beds.
With all his venturing around town for a disposal location he begins attracting attention from the locals. When a local boy ends up missing, Phillip is the first suspect on the authority’s list. Constantly mocked by his sadistic uncle and haunted by Possum, the walls are closing in, Phillip begins reliving his traumatic past.
I don’t want to get too deep into the final act because this film really deserves to be watched without me tainting your thoughts. Just know this isn’t an easy ride. The story is heartbreaking. It’s revealed to you in piecemeal to put it all together. Possum is an allegory for that deep seeded damage and how it manifests. From a sealed door that elicits a physical reaction from Phillip, to the unrelenting taunts of an abusive uncle. There is so much symbolism in this film that just begs further investigation. It really sits with you waiting to be broken down. So much so that it’s still haunting me long after I watched it.
The atmosphere is dark and heavy. The material is gloomy. It shows just how heartless some humans can be. Oh and the puppet is pretty damn creepy to boot. That being said, Sean Harris gives an emotionally gripping performance as Phillip. The look he carried on his face throughout destroyed me. I couldn’t help but feel his pain to the bitter end.
Like I said, this won’t be a movie for everyone. Even if you lean toward the psychological horror, it still might be too much. When it comes to me though, I want a movie that can evoke a feeling. Yes I love the exploitation stuff from the 70’s and the slashers from the 80’s but give me something that grabs me and won’t let go for days? Then I’m all for it. So, if you’re looking for something a little deeper than the superficial horror I’ve been recommending lately, this might be it. I found this one streaming on Prime.
4 out of 5
Grab your popcorn, kill the lights and join me again tomorrow as we continue our journey on this strange little trip down the 31 Days of Horror rabbit hole. See you soon…
