It Follows is a Coming-of-age Nightmare: A Movie Review

*full disclosure: an online screener of this film was provided by the Weinstein Company.

**there are spoilers here. It would be best if you saw the film, before reading this review.

Director/writer: David Robert Mitchell.

Cast: Keir Gilchrist, Olivia Luccardi, Lili Sepe, Maika Monroe and Jake Weary.

It Follows was developed from one of the director's nightmares. David Robert Mitchell has told interviewers that he dreamt of a figure, who relentlessly chased him. This is basically the plot for the film as one woman is constantly stalked by a strange, sexually transmitted entity. Jay is the chasee and she is also young girl changing into a woman, in this coming-of-age thriller. Mitchell captures all of the many chase sequences with an eye for both the viewer, the characters and even the shapeshifting villain. The directing techniques helped amplify the tension onscreen. As well, the ending is an open one, but a curse never really dies in fiction. Meanwhile, It Follows manages to be an intriguing indie horror film, which offers a compelling scenario.

In the film, Jay (Maika Monroe) is the protagonist. She spends her days swimming in an outdoor pool, or out on dates with Hugh (Jake Weary). On the sidelines, her friends become concerned when Jay is dropped off in the middle of the street. From an outside perspective, it would appear that she was raped and left by the roadside. But, something much worse has happened. Jay has been infected by something much more irritating than herpes. She now has an STI, a sexually transmitted incubus. This incubus is chasing Jay late into the picture, down streets, into pools and even into the credits.

Maika Monroe plays Jay, the protagonist.

In genre, It Follows is a coming-of-age thriller. The protagonist is a young woman, letting go of her adolescence. She even laments how she dreamt of becoming an adult, going on dates and out for drives: "we would not even go anywhere." As she develops into a woman, there are all of the dangers of dating and sex. In the film, they are amplified with the occurrence of a demon. But still, the demon is just a metaphor for the potentially deadliness of sex, including AIDS. Sex has consequences. And, the consequences that Jay must face can only be handled by a woman and not a girl.

David Robert Mitchell unsettles with his shooting style. Sometimes, Mitchell will shoot scenes as if through the eyes of Jay's friends. Her friends cannot see the being that haunts her and neither can the viewer. In other scenes, Mitchell shoots the film as if through the eyes of Jay. In these scenes, the viewer can see the relentlessness of the demon as it tries to kill the protagonist. However, the viewer will not immediately know how the scene is being shot as the camera shifts around. This shooting style is effective in creating terror in the climax. In these later scenes, it is difficult to tell if the incubus is incapacitated, or preparing for another attack. This viewer enjoyed the constantly changing viewing perspective.

The ending is left open as it should be. In fiction, especially ancient literature, curses endure forever. The curse, in this film, moves from character with character, passed only through sexual activity. That curse lays waste to a few of the characters, but it keeps coming back to Jay. Curses can never be lifted. So, as the film nears conclusion, the demon is still chasing Jay and a minor character as the credits run. The supernatural is often difficult to shake in fiction.

It Follows has received recent praise and the film is being set for a wider theatrical release. This critic missed the one day it played in this corner of the world. But, other indie horror fans should not miss the opportunity to see this film on the big screen. Full of dread, terror and several chase sequences, It Follows creates a horrifying scenario, in which a young woman must do terrible things to set herself free. But, in fiction, curses can rarely be lifted and Jay is left in an ambiguous position, late into the film. Not to be missed, It Follows also brings one of the most relentless killers to the screen, one which disappears often in front of the camera.

Overall: 7.25 out of 10 (good acting, an interesting premise, an intriguing killer/stalker, lots of conflict, a diverse shooting style).

A United Kingdom trailer for It Follows is available here:

An It Follows Trailer on 28DLA


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