Movie Review - It Follows

It Follows (2015)

Starring Maika Monroe, Jake Weary, Keir Gilchrist, Lili Sepe, Olivia Luccardi, and Daniel Zovatto 

Directed by David Robert Mitchell

Lauded as one of the best horror films in years, It Follows tells the tale of teenage Jay (Maika Monroe) who, after sleeping with her boyfriend one evening, finds herself being constantly followed by a supernatural figure who wants her dead.  In order for this demon creature to leave her alone, she's been told she just has to sleep with someone else...but that will simply cause whomever she sleeps with to be cursed by the demon and Jay's not sure she can live with that guilt.  But then again, she may not have to worry about living with that guilt because she may not be living much longer as it is.

Silly plot?  Yes, but it works decently, though not nearly as good as the glowing reviews would indicate.  However, what's a bit unfortunate is that the film simply isn't all that scary.  I don't necessarily need "jump scares" in my horror movies, but there needs to be some palpable level of tension to create a bit of unease -- why watch a horror movie if that feeling doesn't exist?  It Follows never really achieved that sense of dread -- or at least wasn't as consistent with that notion as I would've liked.

Maika Monroe is engaging enough and does a solid job of showcasing the inner guilt she feels if she wants to rid herself of this looming creature by sleeping with someone else.  The film, unfortunately, ends up feeling a bit repetitive with multiple scenes of Jay placed into incredibly similar situations outrunning the zombie-like "It" that is following her.  Despite a rather exciting climax, I wanted more given the effusive laurels heaped upon it earlier this year.

The RyMickey Rating:  C