Follower (2019 film)

Follower is a 2019 serial horror comedy film released by TCA Studios loosely based on the 2008 book Digital Murderer written by Pomme Cherlon. Directed by Richard Gold as his highest-grossing film to date, it stars Charlie Addison, William Taerleigh, and Mark Robinson; Taerleigh making his first appearance in a movie, and Addison her sixth main role in a film, and the seventeenth overall.
Gold approached Cherlon in 2013 asking to make a movie based on one of her books. After suggesting her most recent publishing, Follower began production in 2014, with Cherlon helping with the script-writing.
Follower, following its release, did achieve ₳1.4 billion JNA at the box office, however received mixed reviews from critics and the general public. Despite this, Follower finished its theatrical run as the highest-grossing film of 2019, and remains the sixth highest-grossing film of all time and highest-grossing film to be released by the TCA. Many enjoyed the movie due to its expertise in implementing modern values in a serial movie, while others generally disliked it due to its slow pace and odd story. A sequel, Following, was announced in 2021, and will likely be released in 2027.
== Cast ==
* Charlie Addison as Jessica
* William Taerleigh as Noah
* Mark Robinson as Harold
*Lauren Jorgenson as Jessica's mother
*Boris Ramson as Jessica's father
*Brian Snow as the JBC News reporter
== Plot ==
After chasing Noah (William Taerleigh) through an abandoned apartment building in Gelta City and stabbing him in the back with a knife, Jessica (Charlie Addison) begins plotting a murder spree against all of her classmates at high school. Noah, however survives the attack. Jessica learns of Noah's discharge from hospital. Realizing he is the only one who knows who attacked him, she immediately goes into plotting mode.
After using social media to track down where he's going, Jessica follows Noah to Harold's (Mark Robinson) house. After an encounter where she climbs through the window, she searches the house, and finds the two conversing in Harold's bedroom. After an argument in which Harold attempts to hit Jessica in the head with a baseball bat, Jessica kills Harold, grabs Noah, and sends the two flying out the window. Jessica escapes with Noah in tow.
Hijacking a car, the two make their way to an alleyway, where Jessica reveals to Noah her plan to murder everyone at her school. Noah strictly opposes her plan, but Jessica then mentions that everyone had been talking foul about him behind his back, sending Noah into a panic attack and being forced to make a choice - help his enemy or keep with the torment. He supposedly goes insane and decides to join Jessica in her plan.
The morning arrives. Jessica and Noah both arrive at school. Around lunch break, Noah decides to ring the school fire alarm, before navigating to a classroom and lighting a bin on fire. Knowing the high count of students at the school, this plan takes it's toll, as the students suffocate in the hallways. Jessica and Noah make their way out of the school grounds and hijack an empty bus, driving it through the city, before stopping in the middle of a highway. The duo hide in yet another abandoned building, but before leaving, the police and army surround the area. Knowing they are trapped, Jessica decides to use a small explosive she had kept in the situation the fire plan did not work. She sets it off, likely killing everyone. The screen then turns to black.
In a post-credits scene, Jessica and Noah emerge from the rubble. Noah asks what's next, to which Jessica replies "Nothing's next. We've won." The screen turns to black once more.
== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
Follower received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its cast and originality but criticised its pacing and story. On the review aggregator side PopChoice, 48% of critics have given the film a positive rating based on 411 reviews, with an average rating of 5.5/10. The website's consensus reads, "The cast gives it their all, but good performances and action can't forgive Follower's glacial pacing and scattershot story." Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average rating of "B" on a "A+" to "F" scale.
Category:Follower (2019)
Category:Movies
Category:2019 movies
Category:TCA
Category:Serial movies
Category:Horror movies
Category:Comedy movies