A new cult genre film for the next generation...

Rating: 8/10 (6 April 2015)

Highly stylized and detailed production. I loved the anachronisms throughout the film. It took place in a world that was both familiar and unfamiliar. Little things here and there that didn't make sense, but seemed intentionally out of place. Like Kubrick, it gave you a strange sense of displacement.
The music was a nice touch. Utilizing unconventional musical motifs is becoming more common, but it is not often executed so well as in this film. The blend of retro, minimalistic 70's / 80's instruments evokes a different dimension of emotional depth. It evokes the great soundtracks from The Shining (Wendy Carlos), The Virgin Suicides (Air), and Donnie Darko (Michael Andrews). The soundtrack created a sense of gravity that I think a conventional score would not have been able to convey for the purposes of this film.
The story was inventive, and I loved the dynamic of the creature that follows. Early in the film, they establish just how dangerous this "thing" is, and what it's capable of masterfully. It was understated, and allowed the director to really utilize some incredible tension near the middle of the film. As a veteran horror film buff, I was both uncomfortable and grinning at the same time. Particularly the scene where it first breaks into Jay's house, and the creature confronts them in an enclosed space. My stomach was in knots, and it's been quite a while since a horror film has made me feel that way.
Sadly, it loses some momentum in the second act. I felt the film started to fall apart at the beach house. Too many gaps were filled, and I felt like my imagination was no longer in play. I am of the opinion that retaining this level of mental engagement is important for the film to maintain its integrity through the developing story arc.
The "final" battle at the pool lost me entirely. It did nothing to serve the purpose of the story, and spoon fed the viewer so much information and action on something that was otherwise intensely concealed and frightening.
The very end shot left me hanging as well. I understood the intention, and it left room for some discussion, which I appreciated. However, I think it avoided the potential to explore the moral implications as to how this "disease" is passed on sexually from person to person. It rested too aggressively on the notion that your past is always looming, and that death is inevitable.
In general, I expected more from the story. But truly admired everything else. A lot of detail was put into the production, which elevated the experience beyond what the story was attempting to convey.
Overall, an excellent film - but it had a lot of potential that it reached for, but ultimately did not achieve. I look forward to more from this director. I'd like to see him hone his craft. He's aced the look and feel of his films, but now needs to work on the depth and purpose of the story he's telling.