Possession
“The past will connect them. The passion will possess them.”
Synopsis
Maud Bailey, a brilliant English academic, is researching the life and work of poet Christabel La Motte. Roland Michell is an American scholar in London to study Randolph Henry Ash, now best-known for a collection of poems dedicated to his wife. When Maud and Roland discover a cache of love letters that appear to be from Ash to La Motte, they follow a trail of clues across England, echoing the journey of the couple over a century earlier.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Possession (2002) Possessão - Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2009-09-04
Top Cast
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Gwyneth Paltrow
Maud Bailey
Aaron Eckhart
Roland Mitchell
Jeremy Northam
Randolph Henry Ash
Jennifer Ehle
Christabel LaMotte
Lena Headey
Blanche Glover
Holly Aird
Ellen Ash
Toby Stephens
Fergus Wolfe
Trevor Eve
Cropper
Georgia Mackenzie
Paola
Tom Hollander
Euan
Graham Crowden
Sir George
Anna Massey
Lady Bailey
Elodie Frenck
Sabine
Shelley Conn
Candi
Holly Earl
May Bailey
Kate O'Toole
Mrs. Jameson
Meg Wynn Owen
Mrs. Lees
Roger Hammond
Professor Spear
Release History & Theatrical Window
August 16, 2002
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$25M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$10.1M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
0.4x
-$14.9M deficit
Theatrical Status
Budget Return
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Neil LaBute
- Screenplay & Story
- Laura Jones, Neil LaBute
- Original Score
- Gabriel Yared
- Original Title
- Possession
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom, United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 42m
- Production Budget
- $25M
- Worldwide Gross
- $10.1M
- Production Studios
- Focus Features, Warner Bros. Pictures, Contagious Films, Spring Creek Pictures, Baltimore Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Neil LaBute
Laura Jones, Neil LaBute, David Henry Hwang, A.S. Byatt
Gabriel Yared
Jean-Yves Escoffier
Claire Simpson
David Barron, Barry Levinson, Paula Weinstein, Len Amato
Department Leadership Roster
Laura Jones
Screenplay
Neil LaBute
Screenplay
Neil LaBute
Director
Claire Simpson
Editor
Barry Levinson
Producer
Luciana Arrighi
Production Design
Paula Weinstein
Producer
Jenny Beavan
Costume Design
Jean-Yves Escoffier
Director of Photography
Gabriel Yared
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.
Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.
Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Possession.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Possession.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Possession
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Possession about?
Maud Bailey, a brilliant English academic, is researching the life and work of poet Christabel La Motte. Roland Michell is an American scholar in London to study Randolph Henry Ash, now best-known for a collection of poems dedicated to his wife. When Maud and Roland discover a cache of love letters that appear to be from Ash to La Motte, they follow a trail of clues across England, echoing the journey of the couple over a century earlier.
Who directed Possession?
Possession was directed by Neil LaBute.
Who stars in Possession?
The principal cast of Possession includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Aaron Eckhart, Jeremy Northam, Jennifer Ehle, Lena Headey.
When was Possession released and how long is it?
Possession was released in 2002 with a total runtime of 1h 42m.
What was the box office and production budget of Possession?
Possession had a reported production budget of $25M and grossed $10.1M at the worldwide box office (0.4 return on budget, classified as a underperformed).
Who composed the musical score for Possession?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Possession was composed by Gabriel Yared.
Is Possession based on a book or true story?
Possession is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "A.S. Byatt".
What is the age rating and content advisory for Possession?
Possession holds official age classifications: DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); FR: 12 (Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.); GB: PG (Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.); US: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.).