Matthew Holness' Possum
 

Surprised to see that no-one's talking about Possum as yet here — I think it's out on demand as of yesterday, but I entirely recommend seeing it on the big screen if possible. Best to go in as blind as you can (even without seeing the trailer, I'd advise), but suffice to say it deals with trauma and desolation, and features a wonderfully morbid puppet.

Huge and terrifying poster below and trailer, but like I say best not to know anything at all for this one.

https://www.heyuguys.com/images/2018...-UK-poster.jpg

Re: Matthew Holness' Possum
 

Also, going home after seeing it again last night we had to walk past this window to the fashion wing of the technical college, around midnight, in the rain. It was... offputting

https://i.imgur.com/3aPjKZE.jpg

Re: Matthew Holness' Possum
 

I loved everything about it and highly recommend it. The vibe made me think of QSC's story Ynys-y-Plag.

Re: Matthew Holness' Possum
 

I've heard it compared to Lynch's Eraserhead and Ligotti's The Cocoons. Does that sound accurate?

Re: Matthew Holness' Possum
 

Holness actually cites Ligotti's The Frolic as an influence on the film in this interview:

The Quietus | Film | Film Features | Playing Possum: Matthew Holness's Other Dark Places

ONE OF US!

Been eyeing this for a while. Looks like my sort of film, and I'm a fan of Holness' other work.

Re: Matthew Holness' Possum
 

I watched this for the first time last night on the UK blu-ray release and really loved it. It's richly atmospheric and powerfully disturbing, like some intoxicating hybrid of Thomas Ligotti and Ramsey Campbell. Matthew Holness clearly has a great eye for eerily bleak landscapes and I wondered if there may have been an influence from the artwork of George Shaw, especially pictures like these:
george shaw "scenes from the passion" - Google Search

Re: Matthew Holness' Possum
 

It never showed on the big screen where I live. I bought a copy of the DVD when it came out. It is a haunting film. I've watched it twice already. It is based on his short story "Possum" that originally appeared in The New Uncanny edited by Sarah Eyre and Ra Page. This won the Shirley Jackson Award for best anthology. Fortunately, I already had a copy. I thought it an excellent story too. I love the poster art. I inquired at a few of the bigger internet poster sale sites, but they all said that they don't think the poster was released. Shame.

The closest thing I would liken the movie to is Cronenberg's Spider. But that is based on memory from its initial release. I was able to see that on the large screen. I'll have to watch that one again. Enjoyed the novel by McGrath.

Re: Matthew Holness' Possum
 

I agree. The film has sparse dialogue, tight pace throughout. Even with separate viewings, tension never recedes as Possum's shadow haunts wild marsh, abandoned pool, and industrial decay. Philip as the main character is frightening as a man, and frightened as a boy harassed by his puppet and the insidious Uncle Maurice. Very atmospheric, suitable for 2nd viewing.
These pictures are great. Thank you.

https://artorbit.files.wordpress.com...99-web_710.jpg

https://d3d00swyhr67nd.cloudfront.ne...UOWA_PCF85.jpg

Re: Matthew Holness' Possum
 

"Possum" is my favorite kind of film-- bleak and mysterious. Fantastic cinematography and design. Fine acting. I can't think of a film that reminds me more of Ligotti. The director referenced "The Frolic" in an interview apparently, but "The Clown Puppet" and "The Troubles of Dr. Thoss" seem equally inspirational from where I sit.

Re: Matthew Holness' Possum
 

Matthew Holness could create a wonderful movie tie-in book. If you watch the movie carefully, the main character has a journal that contains diary-like entries, illustrations, items laid-in and paper-clipped to the pages. It could delve into the past and extend past the film. It would make an excellent horror collectible.

Jennifer Kent and her team created a nice Babadook movie tie-in book. It cost $80. Good luck finding it for less than $400 now. I just check my copy. Mine wasn't signed (groan) and it should have been. I would have lost $500 if I ever sold my books, but I don't. Still, what a gyp!