Dir. David Robert Mitchell | Now Streaming On: Netflix | Rating: 1/5

It Follows is notoriously bolstered by critical acclaim, with some even citing this as one of the best horror films in the last decade. Despite how unpopular this opinion might be, I have to strongly disagree. The critics claim the successes of this film to be its edgy subject matter, suspense, and cliffhanger ending. But at it’s base, this is a typical arthouse horror – gorgeous to look at with nothing behind the eyes. ⁠
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Stylistically this film is stunning but the story is unbearably vague and unapproachable. Even the critics have searched to find meaning in the hard to follow and boring storyline, some claiming this is a commentary on AIDs or post Great-Recession economic anxiety. Director David Robert shared that It Follows is meant to examine our human connections to intimacy and sex as an escape from mortality. ⁠
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Now all that cerebral theming is fine and well – if any average viewer could actually grasp it or even sit through this meandering script long enough to. The acting is nothing special and the writing isn’t strong enough to carry 100 minutes of screentime. We desperately need some backstory or some answers to give this film substance. The cliffhanger ending is a smart touch that gives the whole trainwreck a bit of character, but isn’t enough to save it. ⁠
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Know Before You Watch: Features intense gore, blood, death, nudity, sex. ⁠