Published in: Indie Film Reviews

Indie Film Review “Possession of Mara” The quest for love collides with the spiritual and the harrowing specter of abuse

Author OneFilmFan

Published on: August 26, 2025

WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:

First, the Recap:

That which clings to us. With lives made up of so many varying circumstances, both constructive and destructive, the effect they have on us is likewise just as prone to fluctuation. However, when it more so comes to those facets of existence we’ve experienced that reside within the latter sphere of influence, especially when young, the consequences of their impact can reach farther and deeper, even to the extent of true torment.

In San Francisco, Christopher (Alec Barnett) is one such burdened young man. Still in a state of denial over a recent hardship, his yearning to find inner peace and love again brings him into the path of the enigmatic Mara (Aubrey Bence) who is also in a state of severe conflict. Wishing to see her be better, though against the better judgement of his best friend Matthew (Archie Meisner), Christopher pursues healing and a budding relationship, initially unaware he and Mara are both fighting against a far more sinister, ancient force bent on their ruin.

Next, my Mind:

A smartly executed, undeniably unnerving exploration of trauma, loss, abandonment, the lengths we (and others!) go to to possess that which we desire, and ominous spiritual warfare from both allegorical and literal perspectives all merge together to create the core intent of this indie feature film from writer/director/producer Dr. Hassan Zee, writers Richard M. Kjeldgaard and Jeffrey B. Wayne, plus associate producers Mark Daniel Compton and Mitch Fox. Showcasing the adept nature of the independent filmmaker to take 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. Hence, this critic always hopes audiences who watch will allow themselves to be open-minded, receptive, and willing to embrace the artistry and purpose behind it all.

The narrative conveyed ultimately focuses on two struggling individuals who find their paths coming together, learning about each other’s shared uncertainties, inward battles, the ramifications of past abuse, and mutual longings to be free while subsequently skirmishing against one of the most malevolent entities ever known who’s striving to maintain his control over one of them in particular. When it comes to films that postulate and expound upon the concepts of Lucifer, demons, possession, exorcisms, and the like, it is usually in the context of immensely chilling, eerily disturbing horror films, ie: “The Exorcist”, “The Conjuring”, “Hereditary”, “The Pope’s Exorcist”, et al. While these elements listed above ARE present here, it is more uniquely depicted so as to still elicit the sense of uneasiness and menace we want, but again in a style that initiates contemplation about how it all plays into the ideas of what doors abuse opens within us, often to our harm.

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. How it plays out in TANDEM with the fact that one of them is possessed and requires that liberation is what makes the story work beyond the “standard” horror fare one might anticipate given the film’s still very apropos title. The utilization of Lucifer 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.

The greater emphasis is on the characters themselves, their push for finding what they pursue, and the emotionally harrowing journey they must endure to arrive at that final point of contending with their persecutor. However, what also makes the narrative formidable is literally IN the final moment we’re provided which more than cements the fact that evil, fundamentally and, in this case, quite understandably via the magnitude of it shown, doesn’t go away completely or easily. But, nothing is taken away from the more cathartic, happy moments the film does deliver in order to have at least SOME lighter material to take in. Yet, let’s not kid ourselves or gloss anything over. This isn’t MEANT to be some walk amongst the roses, but HOPE exists. The potency of the film’s grander statements is found IN the darker underlying and more conspicuous sequences we see. It’s what I love about indie cinema….bold, daring, fearless, and willing to hit us hard with truths depicted in, hopefully, impactful ways as is done here.

Themes beyond what was mentioned earlier address notions of hopelessness, suicide, paralyzing fear, the quest for answers beyond our own understanding, bonds of friendship, finding refuge in mutually shared need, re-learning to trust others, along with regaining your dignity, self-identity, value and worth. Barnett 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 through his role here as Christopher, a young man in a state of wishing to rediscover love and be free from the sting of loss that’s crippled him inside and that he initially isn’t letting go of. When his road leads him to encounter a woman in an, initially, similar state of unrest, he immediately wants to help her while also growing closer to her as well. It becomes apparent, though, that Mara’s internal issues are FAR greater than at first evident (other than to us), influenced by a severely dark entity whose only goal is to OWN her fully and exploit her past suffering.

Whether Christopher will be able to confront his OWN strife much less Mara’s becomes the question, and Barnett does a solid job guiding the character through this with energy, meaning, and credible gravitas. Bence shines very much here through her role as Mara, a beautiful young woman with a road, at first, coming to an end due to forces well beyond our comprehension to combat effectively, at least without help. Saved from the early fate it appeared she would fall to, Mara’s gratefulness, building faith, and belief in Christopher’s objectives and feelings towards her id consistently attacked by the remorseless spiritual attacks she endures at Lucifer/Iblis’ hands, the specter of her past and the abuse she faced. With Christopher slowly coming into a better understanding of what she is dealing with, it’s a race for Mara to experience being emancipated from Iblis and his demons before he utterly possesses her forever. I appreciated Bence’s 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.

Meisner is unequivocally the voice of reason, the stalwart conscious to Christopher’s stubbornness in being willing to lay his own ghosts aside much less put so much trust in a woman he barely knows and seems to be trouble brewing through his role as Matthew, Christopher’s best friend who ends up immersed in the escalating issues they all are drawn into thanks to Mara. Constantly having to both support his friend yet also try to convince him to think more logically about Mara and what he’s chasing with her, Matthew’s ability to stand firm in his OWN convictions is admirable and necessary to the story, again that font of basic, uncomplicated, tough love-founded wisdom that only wants to see his friend happy, but not at the cost of LOSING more than he should in the process. Like Barnett, Meisner carries this excellent “everyman” demeanor through his performance that really sells you on Matthew’s character, rooting for him to BE that informed and discerning presence for his friend while still doing all he can to back and assist him as well.

Vlad Len undeniably oozes the aura of diabolical, controlling, maliciously manipulative spirit and intent through his turn as Lucifer/Iblis, the father of lies, deceit, and all other evil who has his hellish claws in Mara after having entered her life due to the devastating circumstances she was plagued by as a child. Fully wanting nothing more than to take her soul and all else she is as his for all time, his presence is legion in chasing her, even as she is bent on ridding her life of him, while he also taunts and torments others along the way as well. Len’s energy, air of menace he manifests, and, honestly, enthusiasm he brings to this role makes Iblis the character you hate (as you should!), which is giving credit to the actor’s performance and its effectiveness as the prince of darkness. The primary supporting turn arrives first from Yael Schy as Hildegard, a local spiritualist church’s medium who becomes somewhat involuntarily embroiled in Christopher and Mara’s situation, though her heart to HELP the couple is, ultimately, absolute.

Additional supporting appearances are made by Ankke Orryn, Steven Satyricon, Amit Shirwalker, Ponni Swaminathan, Barbara Dullea, Sanxe Loveji, Cali Vasselin, Siara Hauck, John Fisher, and a host of others. So, in total, “Possession of Mara” stands as a viable, well-grounded, intentionally conclusive journey into the essence of abuse, its effects, and potentially lasting repercussions, but also the capability of absconding from it, undergoing life-altering deliverance, and reawakening ourselves through the power of love, faith, and hope through those who care most for us. 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 such internal ailments, spiritually, mentally, and physically, so that they too may be FREE.

STAR RATING (out of 5):

As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!