Few horror remakes have sparked as much debate as Parker Finn’s upcoming reimagining of Possession, the 1981 cult classic widely regarded as one of the most intense psychological horror films ever made. Now, the remake has received an unexpected vote of confidence from the person most closely associated with the original- Isabelle Adjani.
Adjani, whose unforgettable performance opposite Sam Neill earned her the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival, recently shared her thoughts on Margaret Qualley taking over the role. Speaking at Cannes, Adjani revealed that Qualley once joked that she resembled her more than her own mother, adding that the resemblance may have even influenced the casting decision. More importantly, Adjani praised Qualley as “incredibly talented,” effectively giving her blessing to the new interpretation of the character.
The remake is being written and directed by Parker Finn, the filmmaker behind Smile and Smile 2. Qualley and Callum Turner are set to lead the project, with Robert Pattinson producing. Paramount secured the film after a competitive bidding war involving several major studios.
The legendary status of the original film makes Adjani’s comments so noteworthy. Directed by Andrzej Żuławski, Possession has become a horror landmark over the decades, celebrated for its emotional intensity, surreal imagery, and Adjani’s fearless performance. Many fans consider it nearly impossible to remake, which is why support from the original star carries significant weight.
Whether the new version can live up to the reputation of the original remains to be seen. For now, however, Margaret Qualley has something many thought she’d never get, Isabelle Adjani’s approval.
