It Follows (15)

Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell
Picturehouse, Liverpool
From 27th February 2015

Reviewed by Antonio Rubio

It wouldn't be fair to describe this movie as a teenager horror story. The protagonist is a blonde teenager who spends part of the story running in her heels and short pyjamas. The very first scene shows this sort of gender stereotypes, but you see her clumsy movements through an intelligent sequence shot suggesting a non-conventional product. Maika Monroe (playing Jay) makes a very credible performance, which is very well supported by the camera's point of view. The director allows us to see through her eyes in very well chosen moments, not only to create tense situations or feel more empathy towards her; there is also style and beauty in them.

Filmmaker David Robert Mitchell manages to embrace an uncountable amount of cinematic references from Kubrick to Carpenter (the latest more evident) to create a cult movie that 80's horror fans will just adore. The typical formula that mixes sexuality and teenagers with horror takes here deeper meaning and reflects on the way sex has been used as a tool of power and manipulation. The characters are constantly running away from a metaphor, whereas the atmosphere remains tense and timeless, helped with a magnificent retro soundtrack that perfectly suits the narrative line and revives its pace. Even if you are just looking to have fun without analysing any plausible meaning, this product will entertain you through a bunch of well-made scary moments.

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Comment left by Dan on 14th March, 2015 at 0:58
I really enjoyed this review, especially the points about the gender and sex politics of the genre that this film takes on ('constantly running away from a metaphor' is a very salient image in itself for this film!) Thanks.