Transcript:
It Follows is an indie horror film which was directed by David Robert Michel and stars Maika Monroe. Monroe plays Jay, a teenage girl who is followed (haha!) by a mysterious, creepy supernatural thing after a specific sexual encounter.
I'm a big fan of horror films but usually prefer slow, atmospheric, tension building, character based type stuff. It Follows has been hailed as a great new example of this type of horror film and I'd been highly anticipating it's release. And it certainly fits the bill in many regards.
It has a measured, patient pace, thick dreamy atmosphere, shows little in the way of overt bodily horror and has some interesting thematic concerns. The central characters, a bunch of misfit teens, are a likeable lot for the most part and the actors, especially Monroe, play them convincingly. This is important because, as is far too often the case, if we dislike the characters – or don't believe in them - we don't care if they live or die.
The film is also beautiful to look at. It's carefully framed widescreen shots and lush cinematography create images of the type that could easily serve as exhibition photographs in their own right. The sound design has also clearly been given a lot of thought – ambient or industrial noises are peaked to breaking point and the more subtle moments in the score really add to this feeling of unease.
These stylistic flourishes, combined with some great use of negative space and deliberate steadycam shots, are great at building tension which often gives way to some well deserved horrific moments and images. The visual and sonic influences of 1970s slasher movies, especially John Carpenter's Halloween, are very much appreciated but more-so are the films attempts to subvert some of the sub-genres conventions, especially when dealing with female sexuality and bodily objectification.
The film is refreshingly open to interpretation but there are clear themes about loss of innocence, fear of adulthood and old age, sexual irresponsibility and socio-economic divides subtly hinted at throughout.
Unfortunately it doesn't quite live up to the hype in a number of ways. The characters, though likeable and well played, are almost threadbare. We're not given any time with them before shit hits the fan and we never learn much about who they are as people beyond a few surface level personality traits. I didn't feel particularly interested by, or invested in, the characters and one or two could have easily been cut entirely.
There are also a lot of good ideas and concepts present which don't quite work. The main conceit of the film – you catch the curse if you sleep with someone and can only rid yourself of it by sleeping with someone else – is a great set up but it's internal logic falls apart the longer the film goes on.
These stylistic flourishes, combined with some great use of negative space and deliberate steadycam shots, are great at building tension which often gives way to some well deserved horrific moments and images. The visual and sonic influences of 1970s slasher movies, especially John Carpenter's Halloween, are very much appreciated but more-so are the films attempts to subvert some of the sub-genres conventions, especially when dealing with female sexuality and bodily objectification.
The film is refreshingly open to interpretation but there are clear themes about loss of innocence, fear of adulthood and old age, sexual irresponsibility and socio-economic divides subtly hinted at throughout.
Unfortunately it doesn't quite live up to the hype in a number of ways. The characters, though likeable and well played, are almost threadbare. We're not given any time with them before shit hits the fan and we never learn much about who they are as people beyond a few surface level personality traits. I didn't feel particularly interested by, or invested in, the characters and one or two could have easily been cut entirely.
There are also a lot of good ideas and concepts present which don't quite work. The main conceit of the film – you catch the curse if you sleep with someone and can only rid yourself of it by sleeping with someone else – is a great set up but it's internal logic falls apart the longer the film goes on.
Likewise the film's tense, slow pace really works...until it doesn't. Many scenes build to little or nothing and all tension disperses. As a horror film is was unnerving and creepy, but a little too repetitive and rarely scary. Another of the film's ideas is that the person who is cursed can see the creature, but other's cannot. This perspective isn't often shown but when it is the sight of an invisible creature picking things up and throwing people around just looks, and I hate to say this but...stupid.
I've praised the technical aspects of the film a lot but there were some elements which took me out of the film. The main, synth-led score for the film was a nice tribute to 1970s cinema but ended up feeling out of place and distracting. The same goes for the unique, but ultimately annoying, circular steadycam shots which pop up now and again drawing my attention away from the action.
The film is set in a sort of non-era specific time zone which is cool but doesn't entirely work – what was up with that clam shell e-reader and why is everyone only ever watching 1950s B-movies? There are also a lot of things that don't make sense – why is this character doing that? Why does the film abruptly cut at this point? Why does this action work now when it didn't before? A few lapses in clarity don't bother be but there were far too many present here.
I've also praised the films subverting of 1970s horror movie tropes but one problem certainly isn't addressed – proportional representation. There's only one scene where a non-white person gets a speaking role – I mean come on, it's Detroit for god's sake!
Despite a few issues present David Robert Michel has delivered a worthwhile, subversive horror film and I'm going to give It Follows a 6/10. I'd recommend it to anyone that likes horror films like The House of the Devil, Oculus, The Babadook or of course, Halloween.
If you've seen the film what did you think of it? Any viewing suggestions? And make sure to subscribe for more reviews coming soon.
I've praised the technical aspects of the film a lot but there were some elements which took me out of the film. The main, synth-led score for the film was a nice tribute to 1970s cinema but ended up feeling out of place and distracting. The same goes for the unique, but ultimately annoying, circular steadycam shots which pop up now and again drawing my attention away from the action.
The film is set in a sort of non-era specific time zone which is cool but doesn't entirely work – what was up with that clam shell e-reader and why is everyone only ever watching 1950s B-movies? There are also a lot of things that don't make sense – why is this character doing that? Why does the film abruptly cut at this point? Why does this action work now when it didn't before? A few lapses in clarity don't bother be but there were far too many present here.
I've also praised the films subverting of 1970s horror movie tropes but one problem certainly isn't addressed – proportional representation. There's only one scene where a non-white person gets a speaking role – I mean come on, it's Detroit for god's sake!
Despite a few issues present David Robert Michel has delivered a worthwhile, subversive horror film and I'm going to give It Follows a 6/10. I'd recommend it to anyone that likes horror films like The House of the Devil, Oculus, The Babadook or of course, Halloween.
If you've seen the film what did you think of it? Any viewing suggestions? And make sure to subscribe for more reviews coming soon.
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