It Follows (2014) #468

 

"It Follows" hit the the theaters in 2014 and instantly became classic horror film. This independent darling directed and written by David Robert Mitchell was made with a budget of $2 million dollars and earned over $23 million during it's theatrical run, holds a 95% fresh rating with Rotten Tomatoes, and remains one of the more original horror films of the last decade. The pacing and musical score help make this movie extremely creepy.

The film's premise is hauntingly simple; a deadly curse is passed from one person to another through intercourse. The curse comes in the form of a slowly walking specter that it only visible to those who infected.The specter's appearance is constantly changing but often appears rather ghastly. If the specter gets close enough to their victim, it kills them in a most gruesome fashion. 

"It Follows" feels extremely nostalgic and that it one of it's main appeals. Mr. Mitchell has admitted that George Romero and John Carpenter are two of his primary influences and it shows in this movie. Many viewers and critics have expressed how the film feels like it could have been directed by Carpenter and it's easy to see how. The look and feel of the neighborhood where "It Follows" takes place is extremely similar to Haddonfield, the hometown of Michael Myers from "Halloween". The background score also has a serious Carpenter vibe at times, mainly when the specter is is in close proximity. The specter also inspires a sense of nostalgia because it so relentless and persistent but slow and steady liked Myers, Voorhees, or even the T-100. 

Maika Monroe stars as Jay, a nineteen year old who is starting to date a guy named Hugh. She's smitten with him and after a few dates she has sex with him in his car. While enjoying the aftermath, Hugh knocks her out with chloroform. Jay wakes up finding herself tied to a wheelchair in an abandoned building. Hugh explains that he had to sleep with her to pass the curse along and that some kind of monster will come and follow her wherever she goes. He warns her to always stay in room with more than one exit. Once she sees the specter, he wheels her back to his car and drops her off at her house. With the help of friends, Jay does all that she can to survive until she can figure out a way to break the cure.