Just wanted to give a quick review of this film. There's nothing in it that will impress most of the writers on these boards, but the atmosphere it creates with so little is something to admire.

It's well done Indie horror. With that being said, it's not really worthy of seeing on the big screen IMO. Definitely give it a look when you can, though, and crank the volume up. This film gets a tremendous boost from a nostalgic 80s analog synth soundtrack that drives home moments that really aren't all that tense.

After this "THING" is passed on to our protag, she's told it will follow her. It will take on many forms. But, it always walks and can be outrun. So, even if she drives to the other side of the country, it's still walking towards her.

Some flaws in her planning knowing these facts, of course. but, it is creepy to know that, no matter how far away it is, it's always getting closer to you.

I enjoyed it and recommend it.

James

Saw it last night in an old cinema with a pretty packed audience, think the large screen and the Dolby really helped build the atmospher and scares.

Personally thought it was great until the last 20 mins when it seemed to run out of steam and not really know how to end.

I fell in love with this movie the moment I saw the trailer, it felt like an adult goosebumps with a fun to explore legend, an incredible synth score, and the coming of age underlying themes that seem to lack in horror films today. I was not disappointed at all with this one, I thought it was fun and an extremely impressive exercise in minimalistic horror. This movie truly succeeds in atmosphere and though I feel so desensitized to the genre, there is an undoubtedly creative sense of dread throughout.

Maika Monroe is already off to a great start in her career, she sells the role and her character feels real and down the earth. Though the kids do make some dumber decisions, that's kind of all part of the fun and to counteract that Maika's character generally makes smarter decisions than typical horror film teenagers. Her character goes to the hospital when she should, tries her hardest not to be alone, I found her character very well grounded.

I love movies like this, the whole suburban kids taking on a ruthless entity, it's Nightmare on Elm Street inspiration is clear. However, I found this movie to be very original, feel fresh, it goes places you might not expect and has fun with the rules of the curse. I feel like there was some missed opportunity in the scares, I think the "it" could have been utilized more continuously to maintain the anxiety the film continually boils up.

Quoted from jwent6688 With that being said, it's not really worthy of seeing on the big screen IMO.

I would argue this and say it's one I'm really happy I saw in the theatre. I think part of this film's brilliance is how the camera moves and pans slowly. It really amps up the suspense for the audience, making your eyes dart all over the place as anything in the distance could be an approaching threat. I thought that was genius and that the big screen really played on that.

Overall, I loved this movie, I knew I would and I'm really excited to see how David Robert Mitchell's career plays out. Horror movies like this are rare and I think they work so well with strong characters like this had. I could go on and on gushing over this one but I'll stop now. Glad to see an independent filmmaker like David Robert Mitchell find such success with this one!

Quoted from AnthonyCawood Personally thought it was great until the last 20 mins when it seemed to run out of steam and not really know how to end.

Saw the movie a week ago at a theater and I agree with this.

The ending was weak. I don't care if things are left ambiguous, but in this case they kind of set some rules and they didn't explain or hint why the rules might be what they are. So, some things really didn't make sense.

Liked the trailer better than the movie. It was a cool idea that wasn't handled well, IMO.

On another note, the main female lead was very good, music was cool if a bit repetitive and the atmosphere was there.

Really looking forward to this, but I have a feeling my expectations may be a little high. Hope not. Will get back to you... ;)

I know this seems to be a hit or miss movie.  Some felt this is the best indie movie since Blair Witch and others have said it's as boring as Blair Witch.  Different strokes I guess.

I have read they are doing a sequel now.  It will deal with finding out HOW it works.  So, it looks like they are gonna do the Ring thing where they try to find out how and the where.

I suspect it will be a trilogy.  My guess, well, hope, is that it is a Rakshasha.  I know, I know, but, it'd be awesome if it was, but, he doesn't use the creature in the correct way if it is.

I watched this yesterday, it started off well but went downhill in the final third.

That fucking swimming pool scene was ridiculous, it made the movie corny.  The concept itself is a scary thought, the tension they created in the wheelchair scene should've been there throughout the entire movie but it fell off.

6/10 IMO, the concept kept me hanging on.

Read the previous reviews here and I guess I'm alone here. I loved the premise of this one, but hated everything else. It did feel and look like a cheap indie movie. Nothing wrong with that per se, but... I thought it was ugly to look at. Everything looked depressing. The exteriors, interiors and even the people. None of the actors stood out as memorable with their acting.

As boring as Blair Witch? I've watched BW several times. I will never watch this one again.

That's just me though. A cranky old bat.  :)

Not a fan. The acting was really bad. It was like the entire cast was on sedatives the entire time. The idea is decent, but I don't think they did much with it. You can only keep running away for so long.

I thought this would get better reviews here. I saw quite a few weeks ago, and I have the memory of a forgetful chimp who has just spotted some rather tasted berries. That isn't a euphemism. At least I don't think it is.

Anyway, I quite enjoyed it. The film I mean, not the berries. They were imaginary. At least I hope so. I don't have any. Not I know of.

The premise, of the film I mean, seemed rather original as did the plot as it played out. Yes, there are imperfect bits, and bits that don't work, much like that reflection I see when I pause in front of a reflective surface. I don't always pause, but hell, I have to stop now and again just to make sure it's me.

It's been years since I watched a horror movie that felt this original and different. It kept up the tension throughout. There haven't been many of those of late.

Now, I'm off to the shops. Might get some berries. See what all the fuss is about.

R  

The first twenty minutes were outstanding.

Great tension and scares.

It really ran out of ideas very quickly though, despite that they did an amazing job of keeping it interesting despite essentially replaying one scene over and over again.
I
Half genius, half terrible. The swimming pool scene was really poor, the lack of any attempt to combat it in any other way...like seeing a Priest. ..made no sense, though such things may be cliché. They had no idea how to end it because there was no real story...just a premise.

But it's the genius that will stay with me.

Great effort.

This is now streaming on Netflix.  I watched it last night.

I was not impressed.  I don't see any "genius" here and am shocked at all the hype and favorable feedback.

Now, don't get me wrong...I didn't hate it, but there was very little here, other than atmosphere, some cool camera pans and spins, and intense, old school music,

The opening was strong.  The early reveal with Jay being "infected" was rather effective, too, but the rest was dull, kind of dumb, and the same thing over and over.

If you really dig in here, you'll find alot of stuff that makes no sense, maybe purposely from writer/director David Robert Mitchell.  For instance...

Time - what season is this supposed to be set in?  We know we're in Detroit, and in some scenes, characters have shorts on, others, winter jackets. And then, near the end, there's a boat full of shirtless guys and Jay walks into the lake, which would be very cold.

What year is it?  All TV's are old school tubes.  Most, but not all cars appear to be at least 20+ years old.  What's the clam thing the one character is using all the time?

Adults - I almost felt like I was watching a Peanuts cartoon, with the complete lack of adults here (yes, i know, there were a few).  These are all college aged kids (I think they were supposedly in college, even), living in 2 story houses, but there's almost never any parents around and they all seem to come and go, as if they have nothing to do in life.

One thing this movie showed me, and hopefully all writers can take note of, is the crazy details that worked...and why something so random and out of left field can work on film, when in a script, we'd be scratching our sacks, saying WTF.  What I'm referring to is "some" of the demon's forms - like the nude chick in the beginning, the semi nude weird looking chick in the house, the Mom with 1 breast hanging out, and the truly shocking and weird nude dude, standing on the roof.

The ending really killed this for me.  Any goodwill I was feeling was thrown away by the complete non ending ending.  I felt like I was ripped off completely.

Grade - C