Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Unsettling psychological horror has child abuse references.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Possum
What's the Story?
In POSSUM, disgraced puppeteer Philip (Sean Harris) returns to his childhood home, where dark memories seem to lurk in every corner. But most scary of all is his spider-like puppet named Possum, which appears to stalk him and come back to life every time he tries to destroy it.
Is It Any Good?
This is a slow-burn psychological horror with surreal, nightmarish visuals that may not appeal to genre fans looking for fast, fun scares, but offers something uniquely disturbing instead. It can be difficult to follow the timeline or establish what's real and what's not in Possum. Matthew Holness' feature film debut leaves viewers guessing to the very end—and even beyond. Dingy brown and yellow interiors are lit by glowing lamps, casting shadows around the badly maintained house. Secrets lurk around every corner, while puppets loom ominously, appearing at will, and Philip's uncle (Alun Armstrong) is a menacing presence, laying in wait. The visuals are surreal and visceral—the perfect reflection of Philip's fractured psyche as he becomes increasingly overwhelmed and at the mercy of the spider-like puppet of his own creation. Viewers may be left with more questions than answers, but the film does a decent job of tackling disturbing subjects while maintaining a distinctive style.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of childhood trauma in Possum. In what ways was Philip's life affected by his past? How did the film portray his experience?
Horror movies revolve around fear. What scared you, as a viewer? Talk about the idea of the "monster" that left Philip living in fear.
The film has references to childhood abuse. How did the movie depict that abuse? Did you think the subject was handled with care? Where might you turn if you or someone you know was experiencing abuse?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 26, 2019
- Cast : Sean Harris , Alun Armstrong , Andy Blithe
- Director : Matthew Holness
- Studio : Dark Sky Films
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : June 30, 2025
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