"It Follows"

[bigfnjoe96]

Right now @ 95% on RT... Brad Miska from Bloody-Disgusting gives it raves reviews...

There’s a bit of gore, here and there, but mostly it will make the viewer’s skin crawl. And even though the film is riddled with serious inconsistencies and plot holes (it’s best to just experience it and not think too much about it), It Follows is easily one of the most suspensful and scary movies in recent memory.

It Follows is classical horror, and deserves to be sculpted into the Mount Rushmore of horror alongside other greats.

Might see it this afternoon with the wife, If I do I will share my thoughts later tonight

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[Brandwin]

Re: &quot;It Follows&quot;

I really want to see this. People have been saying it's really good and those review scores, man...

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: &quot;It Follows&quot;

Well the wife didn't want to go. I'm hoping to go the Sunday Matinee

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[Quint75]

Re: &quot;It Follows&quot;

Well the wife didn't want to go. I'm hoping to go the Sunday Matinee

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Please give a spoiler-free recap after you see it.

Thanks!

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: &quot;It Follows&quot;

Please give a spoiler-free recap after you see it.

Thanks!

Will do....

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[Blzer]

Re: &quot;It Follows&quot;

Just saw a commercial for it, said "I never heard of it," and went straight to RT. Was going to create a thread and then saw this one.

95%? I'm in.

I'll probably go tomorrow. Haven't left movie impressions in nearly a year for ya'll, so I'm thinking it's about time I jump back into it again.

[AuburnAlumni]

&quot;It Follows&quot;

Saw it today. Most original horror film since Scream.

Soundtrack is awesome too. Go see it.

It's got a great retro feel similar to "The Guest"and You're Next.

I don't want to say much more or it will ruin the plot. Some seriously great creepy shots, etc.


Take a listen...

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[Blzer]

Re: &quot;It Follows&quot;

Alright, was able to catch a matinee.

Great flick. I like that I can use the word "flick" for it, too. In terms of the horror genre, this has many throwback elements in general, but one thing it did well was instill fear in the audience without use or need of things like pop-up scares. This was genuine fright for the sake of the characters involved, and you were right in it with them. I'll try and remain spoiler-free in terms of content, but for the sake of a fresh take you might want to avoid most of what I am going to say.

First and foremost, I must say that this is a nightmare—or even more so a conscious fear—that I used to have as a child. I had an idea that death was some sort of stalkerish thing that continually followed along your path of where you went, or at least was magnetized to your direction, and that you wanted to avoid its path at all costs. In the "I could have written this movie" idea of ideas, this was mine. Could I have actually written what they did? No, but it's utterly frightening to see one of the things engraved in my brain brought out on the big screen visually, in such a way that I would either be on the edge of my seat or sinking in my seat while trembling.

Next great thing about this film is that it created its own alternate time period not of this world. Most of its aspect would make you believe its a flick set in the 80s or so (maybe 70s), but then you'll get a glimpse of modern-day clothes, jewelry, hairstyles, accessories and technology (the girl's e-reader and her glasses, and the girl with the cell phone starting the film); a television set that looks from the 50s with pre-50s content always on the screen, cars that ranged from whatever time period they felt like being in (even the police cars were different in different scenes), the soundtrack that sounds like Daft Punk would have scored in the late 70s/early 80s, old-school cards, board games, bikes, cinemas and old-school activities like swing sets, and backyard pools; an electronic scoreboard at the HS aquarium, cereal from the 90s, and a speedboat that looks more of present day. Very unique in that it wanted to lose itself in its own place and time, never hinting at where they might be or when it is. It helped create a "dreamlike atmosphere" and really had you question what was at the characters' disposal at any given moment. I admired that.

Literally every member here on OS could have read a two-sentence synopsis about this film, and just knew that in the hands of most directors this would have turned out as a teeny-bopper PG-13 run-of-the-mill horror film that are coming out today (like the crappy ones I saw in the previews). The plot isn't fantastic by any stretch, but in the hands of one David Robert Mitchell he made sure that the elements remained intimate and few/far between. Most things in this film literally go without saying, and he places shots up there where you could whisper to the person next to you and say exactly what DRM was thinking they could say, but don't need to. Shot on film, giving long pans and subtle "look for it in the background" moments, keeping things at eye level and making the tension as gripping as can be, it was just made right.

And honestly, there were things in this film where I asked the screen: "Given the plot, why didn't they try [insert action here] or explain [expository element here]?" But looking back, I realize that there is a 'less is more' vibe that this film brings to make sure nothing is going to be overkill, all the way to the ending where they could have gone so many ways, and just decided to go with one that was... satisfying enough. Left me not needing it to be overzealous. Most horror movies have an ending issue, and there are so few that don't. This one was okay, but did definitely leave you being creative in your own head with how you wanted things. Best part about how it was written really was that it didn't feel it needed to explain things, even if it leaves us with questions (because we just get to keep talking about it). I hope to have a good, fun spoiler conversation in this thread with some of you to try and speculate this and that. Again, the most haunting thing about this film was leaving us turning our own shoulders.

Totally a cool film with great acting (did a double-take thinking the lead actress was Kat Dennings, minus the you-know-whats), don't know if I'm excited to go run out and see it again but I want horror to strike for somebody like my sister, who I know for a fact would have nightmares about this kind of idea and I'd have to calm her and say "It's not real." If she does that for films like The Purge (yep) or frickin' Night of the Living Dummy, this will no doubt freak her out. It doesn't have to do it while she's watching it, it just has to linger. Hence the title, I guess. Anyway, if you go see it, try and get as little of a crowd as possible. Last thing you'd want is some loud immature folks kind of ruining the experience for you.

[Quint75]

Re: &quot;It Follows&quot;

Saw it tonight with my wife who is a horror film aficionado. We both thought it was good, not great. Original to be sure and an interesting premise. Thought it was a bit slow in parts, but we did enjoy it overall. Like a lot of more recent horror films, it's more about setting a mood and atmosphere than real terror or scares. And that's cool, just be aware going in.

Now for those who have seen it, a question about the ending:

Spoiler

Didn't Jay presumably pass it on to the guys she saw in the fishing boat when she began to swim out to them? If so, why did she need to sleep with Paul and why were they still (again, presumably) in danger at the end of the film, possibly even being followed? Why would she have passed it on to Paul at all if she been with those guys fishing? Obviously Paul felt she had passed it to him when he went trolling for prostitutes. It seemed like that had been their plan.

[Blzer]

Re: &quot;It Follows&quot;

Now for those who have seen it, a question about the ending:

Spoiler

Didn't Jay presumably pass it on to the guys she saw in the fishing boat when she began to swim out to them? If so, why did she need to sleep with Paul and why were they still (again, presumably) in danger at the end of the film, possibly even being followed? Why would she have passed it on to Paul at all if she been with those guys fishing? Obviously Paul felt she had passed it to him when he went trolling for prostitutes. It seemed like that had been their plan.

Spoiler

"Presumably" is a strong word in this case, but let's cover all of the scenarios...

1) This is one of those times when what the director shows is what we assumed happen. I too assume she went and screwed all three of them, and let's say she did... if so, there's no certainty she explained what they need to do next (I wouldn't either without fear of them killing me then and there), and another thing they never explained is if you can pass it on once at a time or if you can spread it. If she screwed one hundred people, would they all be cursed? If so, you're making it more dangerous for you because if just one of them dies, she will be followed by one of the "It"s at that point. This is one of the story premises I talked about in my long-winded post that they never dived into... if it's just one line or if it can exponentially branch out. There is also the school of thought that maybe you can only spread it once, and after that you're done for and will always be followed thereafter. Nothing proves the person at the end was "It" or nothing proves that "It" was following Paul, it could have very well been following Jay.

2) We only assume she went out all the way and screwed them, which would be kind of freaky if she was doing it and meanwhile "It" was swimming out to sea. Heh, I hope she swam back on a different path. Anyway, her conversation with Paul afterward would make you believe that she wanted to hide the fact she just had some sort of boat orgy, but her conversation would still stay the exact same if she started to swim, realized the ridiculousness/consequence of what she might have done had she gone with doing that, turned back, and sought Paul for comfort/her next person to spread it to. Remember, she won't know she's being followed again until she actually is being followed again, and not knowing is super spooky (which is why I don't understand the reason for Jeff not wanting to be around with them). That talk with him was kind of a depressing one. In the beginning of the film she has a certain innocence about her (I don't think she was a virgin since she said something about sleeping with Greg in high school), as you see her picking at flowers and grass blades, wading in her pool, etc. Later, she resides in interiors only and tears down one of the retaining walls of her pool. She lost that which she used to hold onto that made her a child... whether that was because she slept with the guys on the boat or merely had the thought of "This is what I have resorted to?" and turned around is still unclear.

3) Why did she need to sleep with Paul? She didn't, but Paul insisted on helping. I would do the same if I was Jay. If I'm Paul? I don't think I'd ever do the same thing, because no matter what you're cursed until death (assuming once again that he received it). It's not something like The Ring where you can pass the curse on and be free of it, which is why everybody is hesitant to do it in this film. You don't lose it, ever. I'm wondering if somebody up the chain makes the utilitarian decision to off themselves then maybe it breaks the chain for everyone preceding them (meaning if Jay killed herself while Paul or Greg had it then maybe Jeff and everyone else would be free of it after they died?), but otherwise Paul made a sacrificial choice to help not only be her eyes, but also be at the head of the queue in case things go down. Remember their conversation after they had sex? Nothing has changed for them. I don't think they meant in terms of their relationship, I think they meant in terms of the situation. Them holding hands together at the end kind of says that they'll hold out with each other rather than being away from each other. It was kind of a nice way to end it.

[Quint75]

Re: &quot;It Follows&quot;

Spoiler

"Presumably" is a strong word in this case, but let's cover all of the scenarios...

1) This is one of those times when what the director shows is what we assumed happen. I too assume she went and screwed all three of them, and let's say she did... if so, there's no certainty she explained what they need to do next (I wouldn't either without fear of them killing me then and there), and another thing they never explained is if you can pass it on once at a time or if you can spread it. If she screwed one hundred people, would they all be cursed? If so, you're making it more dangerous for you because if just one of them dies, she will be followed by one of the "It"s at that point. This is one of the story premises I talked about in my long-winded post that they never dived into... if it's just one line or if it can exponentially branch out. There is also the school of thought that maybe you can only spread it once, and after that you're done for and will always be followed thereafter. Nothing proves the person at the end was "It" or nothing proves that "It" was following Paul, it could have very well been following Jay.

2) We only assume she went out all the way and screwed them, which would be kind of freaky if she was doing it and meanwhile "It" was swimming out to sea. Heh, I hope she swam back on a different path. Anyway, her conversation with Paul afterward would make you believe that she wanted to hide the fact she just had some sort of boat orgy, but her conversation would still stay the exact same if she started to swim, realized the ridiculousness/consequence of what she might have done had she gone with doing that, turned back, and sought Paul for comfort/her next person to spread it to. Remember, she won't know she's being followed again until she actually is being followed again, and not knowing is super spooky (which is why I don't understand the reason for Jeff not wanting to be around with them). That talk with him was kind of a depressing one. In the beginning of the film she has a certain innocence about her (I don't think she was a virgin since she said something about sleeping with Greg in high school), as you see her picking at flowers and grass blades, wading in her pool, etc. Later, she resides in interiors only and tears down one of the retaining walls of her pool. She lost that which she used to hold onto that made her a child... whether that was because she slept with the guys on the boat or merely had the thought of "This is what I have resorted to?" and turned around is still unclear.

3) Why did she need to sleep with Paul? She didn't, but Paul insisted on helping. I would do the same if I was Jay. If I'm Paul? I don't think I'd ever do the same thing, because no matter what you're cursed until death (assuming once again that he received it). It's not something like The Ring where you can pass the curse on and be free of it, which is why everybody is hesitant to do it in this film. You don't lose it, ever. I'm wondering if somebody up the chain makes the utilitarian decision to off themselves then maybe it breaks the chain for everyone preceding them (meaning if Jay killed herself while Paul or Greg had it then maybe Jeff and everyone else would be free of it after they died?), but otherwise Paul made a sacrificial choice to help not only be her eyes, but also be at the head of the queue in case things go down. Remember their conversation after they had sex? Nothing has changed for them. I don't think they meant in terms of their relationship, I think they meant in terms of the situation. Them holding hands together at the end kind of says that they'll hold out with each other rather than being away from each other. It was kind of a nice way to end it.

Thanks man. Still so many questions...


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[bigfnjoe96]

Re: &quot;It Follows&quot;

In the theater with the wife. Thoughts a little later...



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[bigfnjoe96]

Re: &quot;It Follows&quot;

Thought the movie was good. It's originality helps it a lot. The mind manipulating by the director was awesome. The way he kind of kept you of balance and thinking during the movie is something I enjoyed.

It actually wasn't as scary I thought it would be.
Yes the atmosphere had it's moments, but never once was I scared. Personally I thought Babadook was scarier.

The acting was great, the scenery and O'l skool feel of the film also was great. You can tell there's a 80's homage in the way the movie was shot along with the soundtrack.

It had a very Cronenberg/Lynch type feel, for those who've watched any of his films.

The wife and I left the theater totally talking about what we just saw, which I feel is what the director wanted.

I give it an 8/10

I'm now watching another independent horror called "Starry Eyes"

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[Blzer]

Re: &quot;It Follows&quot;

Releases on Blu-ray next Tuesday (7/14). It will be $12.99 at Target.

[Blzer]

Re: &quot;It Follows&quot;

It comes out today. Best Buy will also have it for $12.99, and Amazon will have it for $12.96. No exclusives as far as I can tell.

Releases on Blu-ray next Tuesday (7/14). It will be $12.99 at Target.