A Good Foundation for a Better Generation of Horror

Rating: 7/10 (16 February 2015)

With its ambiguous title, 'It Follows' extrapolates the two main function of a teenage horror film: sex and violence. Whilst (apart from the opening scene) the gore count is very low, and the low number of jump scares are done ironically or comically, as if to taunt modern horror, the pure dread the movie places in it's audience is tangible.
The movie starts off very distinctively, showing the audience that sex drives this whole film: whether it be the allegory of the cure as an STD,or whether it be a motivation of the characters (Keir Gilchrist does an excellent role in portraying how sex motivates him). The lack of adults accentuates this theme. Once the horror starts the premise grips you: imagine 'The Ring' but with sex - you are followed by a human (usually in a position of nudity - a link to the theme of sex), and the only way to get rid of this curse is to sleep with someone else.
The movie progress from realistic (Maika Monroe portraying the true fear at this curse) and falls into more generic horror tropes. The ways the curse demonstrates itself and acts is terrifying at first, but as the film tries to make it more scary I could take it less seriously. After spending the majority of the film fleeing, naturally there is some conflict, and not going into spoilers, it is an extremely poor scene. The ambiguous ending also felt like it was just for a sequel, and did not leave me shocked or thinking.
The cinematography and sound are outstanding, and I feel they make this film stand out against the 'paranormal activities' of modern cinema. Long shots and strange angles, sound effects that appear in the apparent wrong place, which adds to your uncertainty. Hats off to how well this film was made.
Overall, this interesting concept becomes more generic as it goes along, but it does borrow from the best horror has to offer. The design of the film is even better, and that is why it has set a new benchmark. The concept I'm sure will produce a sequel, but to be honest, I'm not to excited about the lore of this universe.
Note: I'm 16 years old and although the film scared me at the time, I would not be worried about children going as it most likely will not have a lasting effect - the director aimed for a more 'beautiful horror' with this flick.