I'm Sorry, But This Movie is Stupid

Rating: 3/10 (31 August 2018)

You sometimes come across a horror movie that is so ridiculous by concept that one wonders why it was even made in the first place. It Follows is one of them. While I kind of get the critical acclaim and cult status behind the film, it left me so befuddled from its execution that I ended up laughing at it more than feeling genuinely scared.
The general storyline revolves around a teenage girl named Jay, who is constantly chased around by a supernatural spirit after having sexual intercourse. I can see where the premise could've worked, but having a curse brought up from mating makes the film come off as more stupid than creepy. Maybe if it were a blood oath that started it, I'd be more intrigued, but that ain't what we got. In addition, the pacing is rather monotonous, as we spend roughly half the movie on Jay and her friends running away, while also trying to stop the creature. I think half of that time should've been spent on learning about the mythos of the curse itself.
Where the story is too bizarre for a horror film, the characters range from bland, to annoying to even dumb. The actors are certainly trying their best, but we don't know much about Jay's friends outside of them having feelings for her and one or two quirks. Even Jay herself becomes so anxious about where the entity comes from that....well, let's just say she makes too many stupid decisions for her own good. BTW, when I say some of Jay's friends have feelings towards her, I ain't kidding. Without giving anything away, given that the curse comes from an STD, Jay at the very least feels bad for what she has to do to save herself, so I'll give credit and say that there is some genuine sympathy in her.
Another annoying factoid of the film is the soundtrack. I understand that it's supposed to make the audience feel as tense as Jay, and sometimes it pays off well. However, there are several moments where music is unneeded, and silence would've been more than enough. Also, some moments play scores that are way too loud and over the top, making the scenes feel too pretentious for their own good. Lastly, probably the film's worst offender is that it doesn't really end, it just sort of stops. I'm not saying all stories need to end off on a bang, but it was nonetheless very anticlimactic. Maybe it's a setup for a sequel, but it's still frustrating nonetheless.
Overall, It Follows had the makings of a decent horror flick, but its ludicrous concept makes it too laughable to be taken seriously, and the characters don't offer much in terms of substance. If you're into original films that at least offer intriguing ideas that stand out from the typical horror fare, then by all means check this out. However, if you can't take the concept with sincerity, then don't even bother. I do respect the filmmakers behind this for bringing their unique visions to life, but just because something is unique doesn't mean it'll work out in the end.