100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 57: It Follows

Director: David Robert Mitchell

Genre: Horror/ Thriller

Runtime: 97 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Carollette Phillips, Loren Bass, Olivia Lucardo, Jake Weary, Daniel Zovatto, Charles Gertner, Bailey Spry, Debbie Williams, Ruby Harris, Linda Boston, Leisa Pulido, D.J. Oliver

Description: Jay (Maika Monroe) followed by an unknown supernatural force after getting involved in a sexual encounter.

Review: The concise title “It Follows” says everything you need to know about this minimalistic horror movie. Wherever you go, ‘it’ will follow you. What ‘it’ exactly is, isn’t really explained and it takes some time for us to find it out. Don’t expect crazy dudes with masks, women in white dresses or psychopaths.

With an unknown cast (you might now lead actress Maika Monroe from “The Guest”) and a budget of 2 million dollar, the expectations weren’t very high. When “It Follows” got positive reviews after some festivals, it was up to the audience to judge.

In the suburbs of Detroit, Jay and her friends enjoy a careless teenage life. After having sex with her new boyfriend Hugh, her life will change. Hugh warns Jay for something that will follow her, because he passed it on to her. Jay doesn’t understand, until she sees someone coming towards her. Her friends are very skeptical about Jay’s story, because she is the only who can see the person following her.

Director and writer David Robert Mitchell used nightmares from his own youth to create “It Follows” and it appears to be very original. It’s obvious he got inspiration from masters like George Romero and John Carpenter. The movie has some jump scares, but the fact that ‘it’ can literally be anyone makes you constantly aware of people approaching Jay.

“It Follows” also has a great soundtrack, with strong, electronic music. Much like actress Maika Monroe’s previous film “The Guest”. The dreamy cinematography is in contrast with what the characters are going through. There are hardly any adults present in the film, it focuses on Jay and her friends. And ‘it’ isn’t over-explained.

If you’re looking for an unconventional and original horror movie, that isn’t only interesting for the fans of the genre, than you should watch “It Folows”. And you will probably think twice about your next one-night-stand.

Rating: 4/ 5