Although Sarah Michelle Gellar only cameos in the 2006 sequel to “The Grudge,” she doesn’t abandon supernatural thrillers. Further wading into post-“Buffy” waters, she stars in – and adds credibility to – “The Return” (2006) and “Possession” (2009).
Could be ‘X-Files’ episodes
These two thrillers with mild horror elements could be early “X-Files” episodes. And I wonder if Gellar – although her professionalism is a given – is cashing paychecks here. In the years between “Buffy” and “Ringer,” she does challenge herself in some roles, but like everyone, she has to pay the bills.
“The Return” is armed with a clever screenplay by Adam Sussman. Director Asif Kapadia and cinematographer Roman Osin let us luxuriate in the rundown small-town Texas vibe. Something keeps it from being great, though: the fact that I always knew – at least generally – where the story is headed.
“The Return” (2006)
Director: Asif Kapadia
Writer: Adam Sussman
Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sam Shepard, Peter O’Brien
This is one of those mysteries wherein the first question is “What is the mystery?” Gellar’s dark-haired sales rep Joanna has occasionally acted weird since age 11, starting with cutting her arms and legs for reasons she herself does not comprehend.
Sussman does such a good job of making this complex story (which is hard to describe without spoiling it) clear to the viewer that he arguably goes too far.
Messin’ around in Texas
Still, the ratty ranch town of La Salle is evocative, featuring a dank wooden motel and an ill-kept farm house owned by depressive tough guy Terry (Peter O’Brien).
Dario Marianelli’s score, thickly presented in the mix, enhances the sense of place. Creepily repeated snippets of Patsy Cline’s “Sweet Dreams” provide the horror spice.
Terry and Joanna have an interesting push-pull relationship based on mutual pain – hers indescribable, his buried. Other strong performances come from Sam Shepard as Joanna’s loving dad and J.C. MacKenzie in a deliciously humorless change from his “Dark Angel” role.
A mysterious marriage
“Possession” – adapted by Michael Petroni from the Japanese film “Jungdok” — is reminiscent of a specific Season 1 “X-Files” episode (this one, if you don’t mind a spoiler). It uses the supernatural to explore the idea that you might not know your spouse as well as you think.
“Possession” (2009)
Directors: Joel Bergvall, Simon Sandquist
Writers: Michael Petroni (screenplay); Won-mi Byun, Min-ho Song (screenplay for original film “Jungdok”); Jae-yong Gwak (adaptation)
Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lee Pace, Michael Landes
If you stop and think about the premise, it’s pretty unlikely. A relationship is either healthy or unhealthy. “Possession” – slickly co-directed by Joel Bergvall and Simon Sandquist – tries to have it both ways as it chronicles the marriage of lawyer Jess (Gellar, now sporting auburn locks) and artist Ryan.
The thing is, the performances by Gellar and “Wonderfalls’ ” Lee Pace (going against his usual sweet guy persona) are compelling enough that we don’t stop and think about it.
Love makes people do the wacky
The film has an almost winking sense of humor at times. The fact that Pace and Michael Landes look similar is no accident; they play brothers. The movie also has fun with how Tuva Novotny – as a past love interest of Pace’s character – looks like Gellar if you squint.
Set in San Francisco, “Possession” isn’t as original in its story machinations as “The Return,” but it wrings out more suspense. Again, I know a twist is coming, and I generally know what it will be. But in this case, I know it will lead to high drama in addition to resolving the narrative.
“The Return” is smart and nice-looking but it doesn’t achieve the emotions it was probably going for. “Possession” is bigger and broader, but it hooked me slightly more. Both are serviceable thrillers that don’t hamper Gellar’s oeuvre, but they likewise don’t challenge her.
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“The Return”: 3 stars
“Possession”: 3 stars