"Possession Of Mara" (2025) Indie Film Review-A genre-bending, abuse-addressing effort that defies mainstream normalcy

Dramatic Horror!!! Wait, what?? Did you say “dramatic horror”?? IS there such a thing?? I mean, TRULY. Well, if San Francisco-based, Pakistani-born independent filmmaker Dr. Hassan Zee and this film critic have anything to say about it, there IS such a beast as experienced through the director’s newest feature film set to officially debut October 4th in the City by the Bay. Folks, indie film will always be a bastion of experimentation and originality, and this film for me fits that bill.

Focused on the tale of love-lost Christopher (Alec Barnett) who unexpectedly meets a young woman with an unsettled soul named Mara (Aubrey Bence), the pair’s volatile journey to personal and shared redemption from current and past traumas is further complicated when it becomes apparent Mara is facing her demons on a whole different level of intensity and reality, inwardly AND outwardly. Yet, what sets this film apart is, in spite of the supernatural involvement, there’s simply MORE to it than that.

Showcasing the adept nature of the independent filmmaker to take on those subjects and creative directions that have been done before and make them not just seem fresh, but more so relatable, grounded, and ideally thought-provoking, the straightforward manner in which this film presents itself simply testifies to these points. This is also a drama that happens to utilize its supernatural elements to be BOTH literal and symbolic forces, even when the film does lean in certain moments towards the former than the latter.

Another unique aspect of Zee’s approach is taking one particular concept we all know of and giving it a slightly different, yet familiar angle, and name….Iblis. This introduction to a classic embodiment of evil is, here, being seen through the eyes of a different cultural perspective, but still delivers the air of menace and ominousness that the character represents to a “T”. It is a clever means, among other facets employed, to integrate various religious notions together without stepping on any of their figurative toes.

Mind you, this IS still considered a horror film, but it’s not JUST that, and therefore why I am somewhat downplaying the degrees of trepidation those facets usher forth. Yes, there are creepy instances without question, but in the middle of all of this is a LOVE story as well, a tale of two lonely hearts and questioning, broken souls being brought into each other’s lives at the time they both seek acceptance, release, and personal restoration. It’s an illustration of it all plays into the ideas of what doors abuse opens within us, often to our harm.

The combination of genres and the associated themes the film explores is what makes this indie effort more than worth seeing and then allowing it to really settle in your head. And again, the utilization of Iblis as both a symbol illustrating the hurt, pain, lies, and spiritual anguish we face in the aftermath of strongly experienced trauma as well as the overall tormentor he represents is intelligently portrayed for maximum impact throughout the film, showing up when the situations call for it in order TO bring across the messages the film embodies.

Barnett, as Christopher, exudes a level of “everyman” quality that suits this narrative quite efficiently while still providing him with enough emotive fortitude to showcase he’s honestly got a spine as well. Bence shines very much here as well through her performance in that it was wholly believable, emotionally volatile, and assuredly induces empathy for Mara’s plight and our own craving to see her escape an otherwise soul-wrenching eternity.

Supporting turns arrive from Archie Meisner as Christopher’s best friend and voice of reason Matthew, Vlad Len who oozes the aura of diabolical, controlling, maliciously manipulative spirit and intent as Iblis, and Yael Schy as Hildegard a local spiritualist church’s medium who becomes somewhat involuntarily embroiled in Christopher and Mara’s situation. Additional turns arrive from Ankke Orryn, Steven Satyricon, Amit Shirwalker, Ponni Swaminathan, Barbara Dullea, Sanxe Loveji, Cali Vasselin, Siara Hauck, John Fisher, and a host of others. 

It’s an unconventional effort. Plus, as stated above, it’s a dramatic horror film with a cause, and it’s a cause to champion being there and helping those who suffer from any form of internal ailments–spiritually, mentally, and/or physically– so that they too may be FREE.