Amidst the back-and-forth of Paramount’s potential merger with Warner Bros., the studio is pushing full speed ahead with a slate of upcoming films and aiming to turn them into theatrical events in the coming years. One of the most noteworthy efforts the studio has on its docket just got an official new release date, and its placement says a great deal about the studio’s larger expectations for it. The film is none other than the remake of Possession, directed by Parker Finn and starring Margaret Qualley and Callum Turner, and it is now set for release on June 11, 2027.
If you’re unfamiliar with Possession, that’s unfortunate, but you’re certainly not alone. Andrzej Żuławski’s original 1981 film is a seminal work of horror, blending high-concept psychological elements, heady themes, balls-to-the-wall performances, and some truly gnarly creature effects into a singular work unlike any other. The original film starred Isabelle Adjani and the late great Sam Neill as the central married couple, who go through a series of (to put it mildly) extreme trials and tribulations. Żuławski’s Possession is beloved amongst horror hounds and filmmakers alike, but is a lesser-known work to general audiences, and that’s where Paramount’s remake comes in.
Written and directed by Parker Finn, the new film looks to serve as a remake of the beloved cult classic that brings its unique brand of horror to a wider section of modern audiences. Finn has become a renowned horror auteur in his own right in recent years, serving as the architect behind the Smile franchise. And while I am not a fan of his first installment there, I quite enjoyed Smile 2, which saw the director really coming into his own in a fascinating way.
To this end, if Paramount was going to be making a Possession remake regardless, there are certainly worse choices than Finn to helm it. If we’re being honest though, gun to my head, my pick for who should direct a Possession remake would be Arkasha Stevenson, who channeled the film as a palpable influence in her debut, The First Omen, in truly inspired ways.
In terms of the cast, for as much as I like both Qualley and Turner, they both have fairly gargantuan shoes to fill within these respective roles. If you’ve never seen the original Possession, it is difficult to adequately convey just how bonkers and completely gonzo the performances in the film. Both Adjani and Neil are swinging for the fences in a way that could have gone so terribly awry in lesser hands but achieve a uniquely transcendent kind of quality thanks to both the performers and Żuławski’s cohesive construction of the film as a whole. Finn has demonstrated the ability to carve out space within his films for exemplary performers to really shine, as with Naomi Scott in Smile 2, but in order for a Possession remake to work, it will require total commitment and clarity from all parties involved, which I’m not sure is a fair standard to set for anyone.
One thing made absolutely clear about the film through this release date setting, though, is that Paramount expects it to perform well. Undoubtedly spurred on by the breakout successes of films like Obsession and Backrooms, Paramount has placed Possession right in the midst of the summer blockbuster season (it’s literally opening against the live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2), and clearly expects it to pull its weight within that space.
Will it ultimately be able to live up to those lofty expectations? It depends entirely on the film’s marketing. I think the best move would be to emphasize it as high-concept horror from a beloved filmmaker, starring two popular performers, and hope that general audiences are won over by that, rather than its place as a remake of a beloved horror film.
Regardless, it will be fascinating to see what becomes of Parker Finn’s new Possession film.
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