The concept of the Uncanny according to psychologist Sigmund Freud, was simply familiarity that has an eerie quality because of its repression in our mind. The power of the uncanny comes from our childhood beliefs and thoughts, from taboo desires and fears, all of which we kept in our unconscious mind.
According to Freud our childhood experiences exert a significant influence on our thoughts, emotions, and behavior as an adult. Psychodynamic Theory takes the view that our unconscious holds onto painful feelings and memories, which are too difficult for the conscious mind to process.
The power of repressed memories is portrayed in this movie through our titular character. The horror of possum comes not from any ghoul but from a far too real struggle with trauma. It provokes the uncanny in us through inanimate objects coming alive and the doppelgänger effect. Possum himself is the fear inducing puppet that keeps moving around on its own, seemingly always around the corner.
Possum follows the story of Philip, who faces trouble with his career as a children’s puppeteer and has to resort moving back home to Uncle Maurice. The movie would not be what it is if not for the acting by Sean Harris playing Philip. Harris brings us to feel uncomfortable and uneasy throughout with his body language and eventually brings us to heart breaking sympathy. His facial expressions alone carry the whole movie and manage to make viewers question reality. It is through Harris that the theme of stranger danger forces us to double take and question our own judgments.
The movie takes place in Norfolk, England. The atmosphere of the setting is a vital component in setting the tone of the movie. The eerie, still and desolate landscape reflected Philip’s situation. The editing in this movie lets you get lost in Philips world. The slow pace of the film along with the score helps the viewer get more and more unsettled and anxious.
If you’ve seen the movie then you know that although giving us the nightmarish marionette, Possum is used to show us how victims of abuse carry their trauma around with them. We stand, observers, watching as Philip tries desperately to rid himself of his puppet only to be faced with it again. Trapped in his old home with his abuser ,played chillingly by Alun Armstrong, Philip is the one we need to care the most for.
Possum is an subtle indie film by Matthew Holness. Holness gives us the nightmare creature Possum to make us feel uncomfortable and be against him only to make him stand for the heartbreaking story of our main character Philip, thus demanding our empathy while also making us fear him. It is the outstanding writing of Holness to be able to give us a character we immediately are rooting against to then bring us to care deeply for him.
Submitted By: Rhea Jagtiani
