Smile Director Parker Finn Summons Margaret Qualley and Callum Turner for Possession Remake

Well, here we go—Hollywood is digging up another cult horror classic. This time, they're taking a swing at Andrzej Zulawski's 'Possession,' that notorious 1981 fever dream with tentacles, Cold War angst, and some of the most intense acting you've ever seen (seriously). If you've ever strolled down the horror aisle at your local video shop back in the day, you probably remember that wild box art, even if you never actually rented it. And now—because nothing from the vaults is too weird to remake—we've got an update on who’s tackling this new version and who’s set to star.

The Remake: Who's Involved?

So, Margaret Qualley is leading the charge in the new 'Possession.' She's everywhere lately: 'The Substance' with Demi Moore, the upcoming 'Happy Gilmore 2,' and honestly, if you spend more than two minutes on social media, you'll catch her twirling in Spike Jonze's Kenzo World ad. Opposite her, we've got Callum Turner—fresh off 'Masters of the Air,' and currently making heart-eyes in the indie romance circuit.

They're being directed by Parker Finn, the guy who made 'Smile' creepier than your last dentist appointment. Finn isn’t just directing—he’s producing, too. This remake had been rumored for a while, but Vanity Fair finally confirmed it after the two actors popped up in a flashy, cameo-filled CinemaCon mini-movie (yes, that’s a thing).

Wait, What Is 'Possession', Anyway?

The original 'Possession,' helmed by Zulawski, dropped in 1981 and pretty much blew people’s minds. The plot: Anna (played by Isabelle Adjani in a tour-de-force performance) asks her husband for a divorce. What follows looks like infidelity at first, but quickly spirals into full-on psychological and supernatural mayhem. It’s messy, upsetting, and just honestly bizarre—in a good way.

Isabelle Adjani even snagged Best Actress at Cannes for the role, which tells you everything about how unhinged and riveting her performance gets. The backdrop? Divided Berlin during the Cold War. The setting isn’t just wallpaper, either—it’s absolutely baked into the movie's DNA.

Does the World Need a Remake?

Here's where things get fun. Not everyone is happy about 'Possession' getting a do-over. Let’s just say the original has a pretty hardcore fanbase—plus critics who believe you simply can't separate the film from its original era and setting.

'The original Possession is inseparable from its context. It was shot in Cold War-era West Germany, on location near the Berlin Wall. That setting isn’t background texture—it’s the film’s soul... Possession is so provocative, so confrontational in its final act, that there’s no realistic way a modern studio-backed remake wouldn’t sand off its sharpest edges.'

In other words: People aren’t convinced this remake can get away with being as weird (or as disturbing) as the 1981 original. Let’s just say I have some questions myself. For starters, will they keep the absolute chaos of the ending? Or, more likely, will things get smoothed over to fit modern audience expectations?

More Qualley & Turner News

In case you want to keep tabs on what Callum Turner is up to besides horror, he recently starred in the romance 'Eternity'—a film getting pretty solid buzz as one of the best rom-coms in recent memory. The premise? You get one week in the afterlife to choose where (and with whom) you spend your eternity. Turner’s other upcoming project, 'Rosebush Pruning,' is a dramatic thriller about a family haunted by genetic illness, coming to theaters via Mubi this summer.

My Take

Look, full confession: I never actually rented 'Possession' back when I had the chance, but the premise is wild enough to make me curious. I liked Qualley in 'The Substance.' As for the remake... I’ll hold judgment until there’s a trailer. If it keeps even half the energy—and chaos—of the original, well, maybe I’ll finally find out what I missed all those years ago.