Possum

A disgraced puppeteer, haunted by a traumatic childhood and the loss of his young stepson, returns to his desolate childhood home. He carries with him a disturbing puppet named Possum, a grotesque creation that mirrors his own internal turmoil. As he navigates the bleak and unsettling environment, he becomes increasingly entangled with the local police and struggles to confront the dark secrets that have shaped his life.

Possum received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its unsettling atmosphere, strong performances, and distinctive visual style. However, its extreme bleakness and disturbing themes made it a polarizing film, with some finding it too intense or lacking in traditional narrative satisfaction.

• Praised for its oppressive and nightmarish atmosphere.

• Sean Harris delivers a compelling, disturbing performance.

• Visually striking and artistically ambitious, though challenging for some viewers.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the film's unique and disturbing mood, with many appreciating its artistic merit and unsettling themes. However, some found the unrelenting bleakness and slow pace to be overwhelming.

Director Matthew Holness initially conceived 'Possum' as a short film before expanding it into a feature-length project, drawing inspiration from his own experiences and a fascination with dark, unsettling imagery.