REVIEW: It Follows

IT FOLLOWS
RELEASED: OUT NOW

RATED: R

RATING: *****/*****

PREMISE: (Via IMDB) For nineteen-year-old Jay, Autumn should be about school, boys and week-ends out at the lake. But after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, she finds herself plagued by strange visions and the inescapable sense that someone, something, is following her. Faced with this burden, Jay and her friends must find a way to escape the horrors that seem to be only a few steps behind. 

THE PRO'S: Absolutely terrifying. Great story, acting, writing, and suspense. Old-school, classic horror storytelling in a modern setting. AMAZING soundtrack.

THE CON'S: None really.

THE REVIEW:

It Follows is the kind of movie that will leave you looking over your shoulder as you walk out of the theater, and stay with you long after the end credits roll. There's a reason why this movie is getting so much hype, and that's simply because it is the most unique and well-done horror movie in at least a decade.

The story of It Follows follows Jay, who after having sex with a date, is given a dire, and disturbing warning. Through the intercourse, he has passed onto her an entity that only she and others like her can see. An entity that will follow her, and stop at nothing until she's either dead, or has passed the curse onto someone else. Pulling Jay, and her friends, into an unexpected fight for survival. 

To keep this review simple, this movie is a modern horror masterpiece in every way. I would like to praise the cast especially though, there was no weak link in the bunch to be found. None of them are big names, but if this movie is anything to come by, they all, especially Maika Monroe, who plays our heroine, Jay, have very bright futures ahead of them. It's very rare you see acting of this caliber in a horror movie, but this is one of the few times it truly is excellent in recent years.

But that's not the only thing that makes It Follows a great horror movie. The score and suspense are both amazing, with the former harkening back to the glory days of such horror movies as Halloween and Jaws. I don't think I've ever dreaded hearing a soundtrack in a horror movie this much since the first time I heard either of those themes. 

To add onto this, the movie is just flat-out terrifying. Every time that "It" shows up, I found myself gripping the seat extremely tight. And furthermore, just walking out of the theater, I genuinely looked over my shoulder to see if anyone was following me. This is the type of movie, like I said, that will keep you on edge long after the credits roll. And in my opinion will do for teenage sex what Scream did for caller ID if it gets any more popular. 

And for those who really don't like gore or constant nudity/sex, you're definitely in for a treat here. I was impressed that the movie gets by with very little gore and sex at all. The sex is only used when it furthers the plot, and despite one or two gory scenes at the beginning and endings of the film, it's relatively blood-free. The whole thing is handled very old school, and relies more on its scares then on constantly shocking the audience by how much gore and cleavage it can show in one movie.

 

So with all of this said....

IN CONCLUSION:

 

It Follows is the best horror movie of this past decade. Very original, terrifying, and suspenseful, this is a must-see for ANY horror fan. With a haunting soundtrack, excellent acting, and a great suspenseful story, this is going to make waves in the horror industry. And I desperately hope we will see more movies like it in the future.

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECCOMENDATIONS