A great psychological drama---a truly excellent sleeper

Rating: Null/10 (11 August 1999)

I applaud the filmmakers and actors, who succeeded in all they set out to do: Make an inexpensive, thrilling movie that defied genre, created its own, ignored Hollywood conventions, and stood out as an original masterpiece. I villify Artisan Entertainment and the hype machine surrounding this movie, for making it out to be something it's not. This is NOT a horror film, it's a psychological drama, about the unravelling of three friends as they trust and distrust each other in a dire situation WITH THE BACK DROP BEING the Blair Witch documentary. That's why the film isn't that scary. However, the last five minutes are definitely tour de force creepy and had me going. This is not Hollywood moviemaking and should be viewed by only those who can get past the non-Hollywood feel. This year's PULP FICTION, this year's CHASING AMY, this year's USUAL SUSPECTS. Expect many inferior copycats, expect Heather Donahue to become a sex symbol, expect a BLAIR WITCH marketing blitz. Get past all that (although I myself that Heather was hot and don't mind option 2) and revel in one of the best sleepers ever. Rating: A+