Possessor (2020)

Possessor (2020) earns its place on a "Best Mystery" list through its innovative and unsettling exploration of identity and consciousness. While not a traditional whodunit, the film crafts a deeply compelling mystery around its protagonist, Tasya Vos, an elite corporate assassin who uses advanced brain-implant technology to inhabit the bodies of others and carry out her assignments. The mystery lies not in *who* committed the crime, but in the unraveling of Tasya's own psyche. As the lines between her consciousness and those of her hosts blur, the film forces the audience to question reality, memory, and the very nature of self, creating a captivating and often disturbing puzzle that the viewer actively tries to piece together. The film's genre-bending approach also contributes to its mystery appeal. It masterfully blends elements of sci-fi, psychological thriller, and body horror, weaving a narrative that constantly keeps the audience guessing about what is real and what is a constructed reality within Tasya's mind. The visual style is as disorienting as the plot, with jarring transitions and disturbing imagery that serve to deepen the sense of mystery surrounding Tasya's fractured mental state and the ethical implications of her profession. Possessor's true strength as a mystery lies in its refusal to provide easy answers, instead inviting viewers to confront profound questions about control, empathy, and the terrifying prospect of losing oneself in another.