Ep. 41: Adrzej Zulawski's "Possession" (1981)

Screams & Streams

What happens when a cult classic film leaves our guest completely baffled and one of our hosts downright furious? Tune in to this episode of "Screams and Streams" as we grapple with Andrzej Żuławski's 1981 enigmatic masterpiece, "Possession." We promise a roller-coaster of emotions as Chad summarizes the film's complex plot before diving headfirst into the trio's vastly different first impressions—ranging from Sam's confusion to Chad’s outright hatred, and Mike's conflicted intrigue.
Prepare for some hearty laughs and raised eyebrows as we dissect the film's most bizarre tropes and scenarios, from a way-too-attentive elementary school teacher making house calls to explode-on-command taxi drivers. We debate the humor in the action scenes and highlight some memorable one-liners that may make you question the film’s logic but still keep you entertained. The odd choices in character behavior and the quirky dialogue offer a unique blend of absurdity and entertainment that makes "Possession" a one-of-a-kind viewing experience.
Finally, we sink our teeth into a deeper critique of the film’s more unsettling aspects, including Sam Neill's peculiar performance and the jarring fight scenes, which left us all puzzled. We also explore the film’s impressive visual style, emotional portrayals, and eerie 80s synth pop soundtrack, while unpacking the symbolic richness imbued by Żuławski’s direction. Whether you're here for the laughs or the thought-provoking analysis, this episode promises a compelling look at a film that continues to mystify and provoke strong reactions.

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1. Episode Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Film Intro & Plot Summary (00:00:43)

3. Sinister Sip (00:01:52)

4. First Impressions (00:02:18)

5. Tropes Hall of Shame (00:07:10)

6. One-Liners (00:10:40)

7. What Doesn't Hold Up? (00:16:27)

8. Most Gratuitous Scene (00:26:13)

9. Terrifying or Titillating (00:28:44)

10. Stood the Test of Time (00:30:49)

11. Eerie to Ear Splitting (00:34:50)

12. WTF? Moment (00:36:05)

13. Back It Up Moments (00:38:40)

14. Hiding In the Shadows (00:41:30)

15. Bonus Features (00:46:11)

16. Watchability Scale (00:51:18)

17. Outro (00:53:19)