Another disposable film that had really great marketing.

Rating: 4/10 (2 July 2017)

So I finally got around to watching It Follows, which was released in theatres a couple of years ago. It wasn't a film I was highly anticipating, if at all. It seemed mildly interesting. I suppose I almost got sucked into that way of thinking that it appears to be a different kind of horror film of today, and it kind of is, and although I appreciate a unique story, what it really comes down to is that it's just silly.
Now don't get me wrong, it is pretty high up on creating an atmosphere and it is creepy. Basically, sex is the theme of the story and the consequences that follow. A person will soon be followed bydead people, ghosts who will murder their target. Hmmm Well, the first half is definitely better than the second half because it plays out as more psychological. Could it really be all in the mind of the protagonist? I think that is the strength of this film. Also, I must point out that the cinematography helps achieve its effectiveness; engaging, cool camera-work. Now getting around to the second half of the movie, I wanted one of the side characters to say something like, "If this thing that's following you isn't real, then there's no reason to be threatened by it, right?" It never happens. It seems that Jay, the central character, was the only one who could see who is coming after her even when her friends were right by her side. Another question is, in what ways could an unseen force kill someone? Where I'm getting at is I like the psychological aspect of it, unfortunately, however, that isn't the whole film.
The film goes by mostly at a steady pace. Then I checked at the 1 hour and 15-minute mark, thinking that there must be a conclusion approaching really soon, and then there were 25 minutes left. The realization of the silliness of the plot becomes more apparent at that point. If there were about sixteen, seventeen minutes chopped off, and with tighter editing, then perhaps the film could improve significantly. There really was no need to stretch it out for as long as they did. Also that the characters weren't really worth being concerned with, which unfortunately is the case with many movies like this.
Speaking of, this isn't really a horror film by the way, which is fine; it needn't be. It's basically a suspense/thriller. The body count is practically non-existent. Just an observation; not necessarily a strike against the film. This is just another disposable film that had really great marketing. Bravo! "A new kind of horror" as some critics have said and it paid off. People will defend it because it's basically divergent from what is mostly out there today. But I think that just because something is different doesn't necessarily make it good. I would give it a C-