Hype

Rating: 9/10 (19 June 2015)

I'm normally, like many people I suspect, underwhelmed by films that get a lot of hype. And I'm glad to say, not this time. Was meaning to watch it for weeks, and it did not disappoint.
These are exciting times for independent films. Last year I was blown away by Blue Ruin and The Guest, and now this one. In the latter two, it very likely has something to do with the fact that the film makers are clearly inspired by the awesomeness of John Carpenter's Golden Age.
Score: Brilliant and effective.
Photography: Great overall. Some shots I didn't quite understand and found slightly amateurish, others, including the now notorious opening shot, are inspired.
Acting: Solid enough. Really liking in particular the new girl on the block: Maika Monroe. Very convincing, and beautiful though not in the conventional Hollywood way.
You can feel that the film comes from the heart, and it's apparently inspired by a real nightmare. It really comes across, and effectively captures a dream-like atmosphere.
What's also very original is the concept that you can, in theory, physically avoid "it" for the rest of your life. As we see several times, the infected can just circle around it while thinking about his or her next exit. But it's about the mental persecution that comes with this thing just walking after you non-stop, and at what point do you break down and give up? Very cool and creepy, without using cliché, massive amounts of gore or cheap shots.