Possessions (TV Series 2020) Poster

(2020)

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5/10
Laidback story, slow and terrible climax
nakenergy-7862731 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Every character seemed laidback; no sense of urgency to solve the murder, even the cops. No one is screaming when the murder happens and the family of the victim seem to be so laidback; they just seem to accept. Cops do not seem to question anyone else after Natalie is released. The few men are really weak and this laidback drama continues till the end. Alex's murder is not explained by Karim. Really slow and with the dubbing, just doesn't work.
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7/10
Intriguing Beginning, Disappointing Ending
aaaadwrfe31 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
In HBO Max, closed captioning can be turned on where your initial is at the top left of the page.

I thought the first few episodes were intriguing, until I decided she killed Alex. To me, it devolved into a slasher movie. Karim kept saying Nathalie was so intelligent, but she had no emotion, personality, or obvious intelligence. She was a cypher onto whom men obsessively projected their ideal woman, someone who needed rescuing.
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5/10
Here's a thought
nicholas-610-89984115 November 2021
If dubbing spoils your viewing then take a subtitled option. If something is any good you soon forget whether you've been reading and it comes naturally.
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7/10
I am so passed!
bknb0231 January 2021
This looks like a good story and through the first episode it is. Then in the second episode, it's almost all in Hebrew! And the dubbing! OMG! Seriously! SERIOUSLY!!! Come on! They have clearly spent their entire budget on advertising at HBO Max. I would love to see some good content out of the Middle East and think it could be culturally significant. Can you guys please get it together!

I gave it 4 stars for the effort, and it does look to be well done, other than the whole dubbing situation!
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7/10
I raised my stars
bknb0231 January 2021
Because if one could u destabilize d it all as it was shot, I think it is probably good. I also want to be on the side of encouraging this kind of cross cultural programming.

I just hope the dubbing can be more comprehensive and better voice matching in the future.

Despite only understanding about 1/2 of it, I am finding the characters to be relatable and likable. The pacing and the sound effects are good too.

The brother is very handsome. I feel like I have seen him in something and I think he speaks English, though I understand this was originally shot in Hebrew and French.

My daughter in law is Jewish and teaches French/English immersion. I am curious to see what she thinks of this.
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1/10
OMG this was awful
jjt-9632318 February 2021
Can't figure out why I stayed to the end. Never stopped being pointless, endlessly weird but not in a good way. Desperate for things to watch, but sorry I picked this.
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1/10
1 star just for the dubbing
somethingreal8128 January 2021
I'm watching this show on HBO Max. According to the message at the start of the show, viewers can choose between subtitles and dubbing. However, someone forgot to make the subtitle option available so the only way to watch is with dubbing. Normally that wouldn't be a problem--I've enjoyed several other shows in their dubbed versions, including Veneno, which is also on HBO Max. But the dubbing here is AWFUL. The voice acting is horrendously over the top, the voices do not match the actors at all (made all the more noticeable by the actors' real voices being used in Hebrew language portions), and the overall production value is terrible and does not blend into the existing soundtrack at all. For all the money HBO has you would expect them to do A LOT better than this. Also, if they're going to offer dubbing, why not dub the whole show? Right now the French portions are dubbed in English, but the Hebrew is not. So even if the dubbing was actually good, viewers who don't like subtitles would still be reading them for half of the show.
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1/10
Huh?
global_dan16 March 2021
Is it a murder mystery? A police procedural? A family drama? A psychological drama with spiritual overtones?

As the plot increasingly strains credulity and the characters react inexplicably to the unrealistic situations, it becomes clear that it isn't any of those, as it interminably lumbers to and which leaves so many questions unanswered you'll wonder why you bothered.

Spare yourself.
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9/10
Exceptionally different
lisbethinsydney12 March 2021
Showing in Australia with subtitles on SBS On Demand, this is a fascinating detective series offering an insight into life in Israel as well as a truly intriguing murder mystery. The detectives also look like real police officers for once and involving the French consular representative offers an outsider's extra viewpoint. Those who keep the rational explanation in mind will be rewarded. Well acted, including participation by Tcheky Karyo, one of the best French actors, and filmed with a real sense of place and atmosphere. Definitely recommended!
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4/10
Story arc devolved after second episode
fitzmary1 February 2021
4 star rating is generous. 8 star acting but the story line (which I mistakenly thought was cultural-gone-awry) devolved after episode 2. Dubbing is impossible to read as it is yellow, tiny, and thin modern font. Dubbing randomly worked and not at all during last episode.
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1/10
Promising start then...
catherine-21523 February 2021
Absolutely dreadful-ridiculous red herrings and stupid, dubious behavior by almost every character in every scene. Bizarre and not in an interesting or intriguing way.
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1/10
Saving you over 5 hours to enjoy life
smrsales1 February 2021
Ridiculous....thought at first it was going to be a David Lynch type story. It just got worse and worse. The dubbing was the WORST ever. The acting was horrible and the off sync didn't help. Just don't bother watching it. Really..,very disappointing
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1/10
Dubbing
amzelleah30 January 2021
The dubbing is laughable and horrendous. The actors who do the voice overs are ridiculously terrible- like amateurs reading, deadpan, from a script. It's distracting, cringe worthy and grating. Only the French is dubbed. Why can't HBO provide subtitles for the French dialogue? It makes. no sense. They've ruined a perfectly good show.
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8/10
Interesting and Unique Mini-Series
james-3788010 February 2021
First of all, DO NOT WATCH with the English dub. It is unbearly cringy and ruins the show (as other reviewers have noted). I recommend watching in the native French and Hebrew with English subtitles.

The show itself is exceptional. It begins as an intriguing murder mystery, but by the end, it evolves into a folklore take of sorts about a young woman seizing control of her life. The actors are very impressive, notably the main character, and her mother.

Personally, it was simply refreshing to see a show not set it or shot it or focused on America in any way. It's a look into the realistic lives of people across the world with different background and beliefs that are usually seen on American television. It is worth the time to watch
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1/10
Why is this thing dubbed?
langstons29 January 2021
It wasn't made in English, but the only option HBO has provided for watching it is with English dubbing -- bad English dubbing...
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1/10
Just awful
scbogen16 August 2021
We watched the incomprehensible first episode which was filled with morose people staring with blank expression while behaving in ways that no sane person would do. Ditto to everything that everyone has said about the dubbing. This is one of the oddest and most unpleasant ways in which I have ever wasted time. I will not waste another minute on it.
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5/10
Dubbing ruins it
cdhitchcock6 March 2021
I actually watched the whole thing. I won't add any spoilers. The first episode is the best and gets you hooked. The story is interesting, and each episode takes you in a different direction. I enjoyed seeing something modern from a different culture yet mixed with folklore. The characters are intriguing but unfortunately the acting is lost with the hideous audio issues. Had the dubbing/subtitles been even ok I think this would be an excellent series. Strangely only the French is dubbed in English and all other languages have no subtitles. I struggled at first until I turned the closed captioning on. Which unfortunately becomes distracting as the voiceovers are terrible. I wish it had either been dubbed better with all the languages or just had subtitles. The voiceovers are lackluster and as if it's just being read with no inflection. I'm sure the actors were probably much better in the real languages. This makes it a struggle to keep yourself immersed in the story. If you can get through these terrible mistakes the series is worth watching as it's only six episodes. I would love to see more content like this in the future but done well. HBOs series The Investigation is a great example. I wish this had been done as well as that.
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5/10
Stil watching
jardinswingler-2301230 January 2021
Haven't finished any episodes as yet & therefore review doesn't contain spoilers that im aware of. Not sure y ppls r complaining already about series. Me personally I hate reading subtitles on any program, totally detracts from actual show itself, u have to continually pay attention to fast moving words across the screen while any kind of action might be happening on the screen, @ the same time ain't no one has patience for that, another thing if the show has a hot chicks in it, & decent story telling not great but decent. Y is every one complaining?
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9/10
WOW! *Update*
blondelobster1731 January 2021
Just finished it (see earlier review) I really loved it. I don't want to give spoilers. The folklore theme was very enjoyable. Get past the lousy dubbing, turn on the subtitles and watch this. Outstanding performances by the whole cast.
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9/10
Yes the dubbing is atrocious, but the show is great.
blondelobster1730 January 2021
The negative first: I cannot argue with the other reviewers. The dubbing is absolutely awful. I don't mind subtitles at all and would have preferred if the whole thing was just subtitled. I watched the first 10 minutes wondering why only the French was dubbed in English (then read your reviews and turned on my subtitles, thanks). Also, voices do NOT match the characters at all. But... The positive: it's an intriguing storyline with great characters and a good hook. As bad as the dubbing is, it's not stopping me from watching. At the end of every episode there's an AH HA moment that makes me want to watch more. I'm 3 episodes in. I have a feeling I'll be finishing this weekend. You have to decide for yourself. If you are looking for an "easy watch" this isn't it. I like the cultural clashes, crazy mother, strange sisters, French hero and of course who doesn't love an amnesiac bloody bride?? give it a shot
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10/10
Loved it
qdnjtdm13 July 2021
Loved this series. Watched it in Australia in original French with English subtitles. Sounds like dubbing spoiled it for other reviewers. Really intriguing story and great acting. Will watch again. 10/10 for me.
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10/10
Brilliant
vqgfzjkm23 November 2021
One of the most powerful series I've seen this year.

Those who've watched this series with voice dubbing, would have totally missed the point.

Great story line with the inclusion of the D'juba Jewish women's superstitions.
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9/10
Stopped watching
mpdelgado29 January 2021
Same problem as the other reviewer. No subtitle option and no English dubbing for a lot of the dialogue. Missing a lot so gave up. The dubbing is not well done.
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Just different
virginiabarros418 December 2021
Saw rwo episodes through Filmin. It's not dubbed and it has subtitles in Portuguese. I m really looking forward to watching other episodes. The French bride is brilliant. I also like the profile of the police and consul representative. For me it's 7 stars.
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