A stranger arrives in Copenhagen from a plane from Romania. Shortly after the power is lost in the whole city.
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I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.
It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.
It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
Denmark isn't a country normally recognised for its contributions to the horror genre, but with this top-notch effort they really have done themselves proud. POSSESSED is a startling and unique combination of science fiction thrills and spills (the investigation of the deadly virus) and good, old-fashioned horror (the religious aspects of the disease and the impending countdown to worldwide destruction), all neatly mixed up with pre-millennial tension and a firm footing in realism to give the movie a gripping edge. Taking a break from the weary CGI antics of modern Hollywood horrors, instead this low budget tale transports us into a bleak world of death and decay, shot darkly with plenty of shadowy atmospherics and icy chills. The film as a whole uses a murky grey colour palette to give it a 'dead' look and feel which comes across admirably; as a modern exercise in post-SEVEN downbeat atmosphere and gloomy sets this is untouchable stuff.Leading the way is matter-of-fact hero Søren, a guy propelled onwards through the obsession of his case regardless of the effect it may have on his career and girlfriend. Søren is played by Ole Lemmeke, who does superbly in the part and has every element of his character nailed down correctly. Later in the story, Kirsti Eline Torhaug - playing Sarah, the girlfriend - is also given a chance to shine with some memorable histrionics, whilst a surprise plot twist throws her character into the limelight and gives her a real chance to shine. The only familiar face in the cast is Udo Kier, who puts in a small but pivotal turn as a ruthless priest fighting the forces of darkness - Kier is magnificent in the part, which gives him far greater depth and acting scope than his recent cameo appearances in Hollywood fare have allowed.The slow-burning nature of the plot may be off putting to some, but unusually this is a film which gets better as it goes along. The last half an hour and in particular the finale are wonderfully gripping and horrific, turning the whole scientific basis of the plot around on its head and introducing some very dark, important elements. The payoff for the slightly dry and wordy first half of the film is well worth it and the film ends on a real high. POSSESSED is a great movie which easily beats modern Hollywood rivals on the same theme (BLESS THE CHILD, etc.), which sadly will never achieve the status it deserves due to it being foreign and sometimes subtitled. My recommendation is to track it down and give it a try - you won't be disappointed.
This is another horror movie in the Danish tradition, as I like to put it: Good cast, good plot and in my opinion quite an original twist to the classic possessed-by-the-devil plot. Also a hint of drama, with well-written dialogue and interesting inter-character relations and intrigues.If it runs on TV, see it by all means! Some chilly moments, that's for sure.7 out of 10.
Well-made Danish horror/thriller, it had been doubted (myself included) that we were capable of thrillers of this caliber in little Denmark but "Besat" ("Possessed") proved us all wrong. "Besat" is better than most US productions in the same genre, cast, plot and special effects included. Check out talented director Rønnow-Klarlund's first movie "Den Attende" ("The 18th") as well!
With a plot that seems to have been heavily inspired by productions such as Warlock (1989), Outbreak (1995) and "Riget" (1994), this movie uses the Danish medical community as exemplified by the National Hospital to build an instant atmosphere of impending doom.Unlike "Riget", which featured a plot that ended up in a Twin Peaks-like parody of surrealism, the focus in this movie is not on the medical community itself, but on the investigation by a young doctor of the mystical spread of a strange new virus.In parallel with this activity we have the police pursuing a man suspected of arson (impressingly performed by Udo Kier).The two threads end up colliding in a way that will not be revealed here.The movie contains some interesting scenes from Romania, where the young doctor tries to collect a marrow sample to analyse the virus. These scenes are quite important in building the atmosphere so important for a thriller, and they are executed nicely.Basically, all horror movies reiterate the same old message of "how terrible it is, when you're powerless." The interesting new part is usually the way in which ingredients are mixed, conveying a story full of scares, to which the contemporary viewer can relate."Besat" is no exception from this rule: As a true child of it's time, the dominant themes used in this movie are the threat of a global epidemic, cultic prophecies of apocalypse, the horrible living conditions of the poor in Eastern Europe, and how a man's single-minded pursuit of his career can turn him into a monster.All in all some good, well-executed entertainment, but don't expect to find anything new here.