They released this movie in local theaters last Black Saturday, and it is still showing now. When you see the title "Possession" and the poster, you would really think this was a supernatural thriller, as I did. The director also gives you the complete "horror" treatment of jumpy scenes and somber music. However, as you watch it, you would realize that this was actually a love story -- deep, conflicted and twisted.

Sarah Michelle Gellar plays young lawyer Jess who is married to an ideally sweet husband Ryan (played by Michael Landes). Ryan has an ex-con brother Roman (played by Lee Pace) who free-loads off the couple and creeps Jess out. A freak car accident happens involving both brothers, causing them to both be comatose. One day, it was Roman who wakes up. However, he is behaving very much like Ryan! Jess is thus caught in an unusual dilemma between repulsion and hope, between hate and love.

While the story is actually quite interesting on paper, the execution was also very uncomfortable to watch on screen since the love triangle involves brothers. I only knew SMG among the three leads. She is really becoming a staple in these suspense films, huh? All the actors do quite well to flesh out their characters. In particular, Lee Pace does a good job as bad Roman being like good Ryan.

I have a problem with how the movie was resolved, which was quite hackneyed and predictable. With further reading, I learned that this film was actually a remake of a Korean film "Addicted" and that the ending was totally different. According to releases, the DVD also contains an "alternative" ending" that follows the spirit of the original Korean movie. While this more quiet alternative ending is nonetheless discomfiting, it sounds more appropriate than the corny violent ending we see on screen. I hope to watch the Korean version one day to compare.