The Philippine Star (philstar.com)
MANILA, Philippines - Producers of the hugely successful movies, The Ring, The Grudge, and The Departed — all adaptations of Asian films — have found another gem of a story in a Korean thriller, Jungdok (Addicted). Applying changes in cultural details and point of view, it is now a must-see Hollywood thriller titled Possession.
Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as Jess, a lawyer happily married to Ryan, played by Michael Landes. The only flaw Jess considers in her life is the presence of Ryan’s brother, Roman (Lee Pace). While Ryan exudes gentleness, Roman is the complete opposite. He just got out on parole and Ryan takes him into their home. Jess’ discomfort turns into terror after the two brothers got involved in a freak car accident. Both men end up in coma. When Roman wakes up, something about him has changed. He starts behaving like Ryan and claims he is indeed Jess’ husband. Now, Jess is in a dilemma whether it’s a miracle that the spirit of her beloved husband has taken over her brother-in-law’s body or something sinister is going on.
“It’s a little twisted,” is how Lee describes the scenario. “A woman starts sleeping with her brother-in-law and a man takes on his invalid brother’s life, which is just dangerous. It’s risky in a very real, subtle way.”
Completing the creative team to work on this project had been easy for producers Doug Davison and Roy Lee. After getting the nod of Nigel Sinclair and Guy East to co-produce with them, they were elated that Swedish directors
Joel Bergvall and Simon Sandquist also shared their enthusiasm. Bergvall and Sandquist have been directing partners for quite some time. Their short film Victor had been nominated for an Academy Award.
Casting Gellar as Jess came naturally as Davison and Lee had enjoyed working with her in The Grudge, and The Grudge 2. Director Bergvall commends the actress, “There’s a sense of character that Jess has that Sarah has — she is innately driven. Jess is really focused on work…and she has a great relationship with her husband.”
Possession opens April 3 in theaters
