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Possession

2002·Movie
1h 42min·PG-13
59
DecentGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

Possession fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Adrenaline3
  • Fast Pace3

Heart

Deeply romantic and melancholic

  • Romance9
  • Melancholy8
  • Pathos7

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay7
  • Dark Humor3
  • Cringe Humor2

World

History, mystery, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Intrigue9
  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Standout score

  • Music Composition8
  • Cinematography7
  • Music Centrality7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want fast pacing

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

The past will connect them. The passion will possess them.

Maud Bailey, a brilliant English academic, is researching the life and work of poet Christabel La Motte. Roland Michell is an American scholar in London to study Randolph Henry Ash, now best-known for a collection of poems dedicated to his wife. When Maud and Roland discover a cache of love letters that appear to be from Ash to La Motte, they follow a trail of clues across England, echoing the journey of the couple over a century earlier.
Literary Mystery RomanceDual NarrativeAcademic SettingVictorian EraForbidden LovePoetry & PassionIntense PerformancesAtmosphericEmotional Complexity

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Possession

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Possession legally?

You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Possession worth watching?

59
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 59/100 (IMDb 6.3, Rotten Tomatoes 64%, and Metacritic 52). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Possession rated?

PG-13Sexual content

It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: sexual content.

How long is Possession?

1 h 42 min

Possession runs 1 h 42 min.

Is Possession based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on Possession?

Critics58
Audiences61

Yes. Critics average 58 and audiences 61 out of 100, so both groups see Possession much the same way.

Was Possession a box office hit?

Budget$25 million
Box office$10 million

No. It cost about $25 million to make and earned $10 million worldwide, 40% of its budget.

What language is Possession in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United Kingdom, United States.

In how many countries can I watch Possession?

26ATAUBEBRCACHDEDKESFIFRGBGGIE+12

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Possession in 26 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Possession use?

Private DetectiveMess of WoeEmasculated CuckoldCruel and Unusual DeathSurreal HorrorGet Out!Blame the ParamourLaughing MadIn Love with Your CarnagePsychosexual HorrorDub-Induced Plotline ChangeThird-Option Love Interestand 80 more

TV Tropes lists 92 storytelling tropes for Possession, including Private Detective, Mess of Woe, Emasculated Cuckold.