A young woman is followed by an unknown supernatural force after a sexual encounter.
It Follows is a standout film in the horror genre, offering a captivating and original narrative that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. The story revolves around Jay Height, portrayed brilliantly by Maika Monroe, whose life takes a terrifying turn after a seemingly ordinary encounter. This encounter sets off a chain of events that introduce a relentless and mysterious force determined to claim her life. The premise itself is both intriguing and innovative, providing a fresh twist that distinguishes the film from typical horror stories.
Maika Monroe delivers a compelling performance as Jay, bringing depth and authenticity to her character’s fear and resilience. Her portrayal makes Jay’s struggle palpable, allowing the audience to empathize deeply with her plight. The supporting cast, including Keir Gilchrist and Olivia Luccardi, add richness to the narrative with their believable and nuanced performances. Their interactions with Jay enhance the emotional weight of the story, creating a strong sense of camaraderie and urgency as they work together to find a way to escape the relentless threat.
The film excels in building suspense through its carefully crafted plot and pacing. Instead of relying on sudden jump scares, It Follows maintains a steady tension that keeps viewers on edge throughout. The constant sense of being pursued creates an atmosphere of unease and anticipation, making every moment feel significant and heightening the overall suspense. This methodical approach to storytelling ensures that the horror remains impactful and memorable.
It Follows also explores the psychological aspects of fear and survival. The characters’ responses to the impending danger are portrayed with realism, highlighting their vulnerabilities and strengths. This focus on character development allows the audience to connect with the protagonists on a deeper level, making the stakes feel personal and immediate. The film effectively balances moments of intense fear with quieter, character-driven scenes that provide insight into their motivations and emotions.
The setting of the film plays a crucial role in enhancing the narrative. The suburban backdrop, with its seemingly mundane and familiar locations, contrasts sharply with the supernatural threat, amplifying the sense of isolation and vulnerability. This juxtaposition makes the horror feel more relatable and grounded, as it unfolds in everyday environments that viewers recognize and can imagine themselves in.
Moreover, the originality of It Follows lies in its ability to blend traditional horror elements with a unique and thought-provoking concept. The idea of an ever-present, unstoppable force creates a pervasive sense of dread that is both timeless and modern. This fresh take on the genre challenges conventional horror tropes and offers a new perspective on what it means to be hunted by an unseen enemy.
The film’s direction and screenplay are meticulously crafted, ensuring that every scene serves to advance the story and build tension. The dialogue is natural and engaging, contributing to the authenticity of the characters and their experiences. The narrative structure keeps the audience invested, as each twist and turn reveals more about the nature of the threat and the characters’ attempts to survive.
In addition to its strong storytelling and performances, It Follows leaves a lasting impression through its ability to evoke genuine fear and contemplation. The lingering sense of unease it generates encourages viewers to reflect on the nature of fear and the lengths one might go to protect themselves and their loved ones.
It Follows is a must-watch film for anyone seeking a horror movie that offers more than just scares. Its innovative plot, strong character development, and relentless suspense create a gripping and unforgettable viewing experience. Whether you are a seasoned horror fan or new to the genre, It Follows delivers a powerful and engaging story that resonates long after the credits roll.
One of the central themes is the inevitability of death. The film portrays a relentless, unstoppable force that symbolizes death itself, emphasizing that no matter how much one tries to escape or delay it, death is an inescapable part of life. This idea is reinforced by the film’s constant sense of pursuit, where the protagonist, Jay, is always being chased by the entity, mirroring the universal human experience of mortality.
Another significant theme is the consequences of sexual relationships. The curse in It Follows is transmitted through sexual intercourse, suggesting that intimate relationships come with responsibilities and potential repercussions. This portrayal can be seen as a metaphor for the real-life implications of sexual activity, such as emotional consequences, responsibilities, and the potential for lasting impacts. The film uses horror elements to explore the anxieties surrounding intimacy and the fear of the unknown outcomes that can arise from it.
Fear and anxiety are pervasive throughout the movie, not just in the face of the supernatural threat but also in the everyday interactions between characters. The constant sense of being watched and followed heightens the tension, creating an atmosphere of unease that reflects modern societal anxieties. This persistent fear can be interpreted as a commentary on the pervasive nature of anxiety in contemporary life, where individuals often feel pursued by pressures and expectations.
The theme of control, or the lack thereof, is also prominent in It Follows. Jay’s struggle to understand and combat the entity symbolizes the human desire to control one’s fate and the frustration that comes when circumstances are beyond one’s control. This theme resonates with audiences as it reflects the universal struggle to manage aspects of life that are unpredictable and uncontrollable, such as health, relationships, and unforeseen challenges.
Additionally, the film explores the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The entity in It Follows moves slowly but persistently, much like time itself. This slow progression serves as a reminder that time waits for no one, and that every moment brings individuals closer to their ultimate fate. The slow movement of the entity also allows the audience to experience the creeping dread that comes with the passage of time, enhancing the film’s suspenseful atmosphere.
The idea of communal support versus isolation is another important theme. Jay’s reliance on her friends for help highlights the importance of community and solidarity in facing challenges. Conversely, the fear of being alone and vulnerable is a recurring element, underscoring the human need for connection and the strength that comes from mutual support in overcoming fears.
Lastly, It Follows uses the supernatural curse as a metaphor for various real-life fears, such as the loss of innocence, the consequences of actions, and the unpredictability of life. By grounding these universal fears in a horror narrative, the film effectively communicates deeper psychological and emotional truths, making the horror elements resonate on a more meaningful level.
The cinematography in It Follows, crafted by Mike Gioulakis, plays a crucial role in establishing the film’s eerie and suspenseful atmosphere. The visual style is marked by its use of long takes and steady camera movements, which create a lingering sense of unease and tension. This technique allows viewers to fully absorb the environment and heightens the anticipation of the entity’s presence, making the threat feel ever-present and inescapable.
Lighting in It Follows is deliberately subdued and naturalistic, often utilizing low-key lighting to cast deep shadows and obscure details. This approach enhances the film’s ominous mood and contributes to the feeling of uncertainty and vulnerability. The interplay of light and shadow not only accentuates the horror elements but also symbolizes the blurred lines between reality and the supernatural.
The color palette is predominantly muted, with an emphasis on pastel tones and soft hues that contrast sharply with the dark themes of the story. This choice creates a dissonant visual experience, where the seemingly normal suburban settings become unsettling and foreboding. The use of wide-angle lenses further amplifies this effect by distorting perspectives and making spaces appear more expansive and isolating.
Camera movement in It Follows is smooth and deliberate, often following characters closely to immerse the audience in their perspective. This technique fosters a sense of intimacy and immediacy, making the viewer feel as if they are part of the unfolding nightmare. Additionally, the strategic use of mirrors and reflections adds a layer of complexity, suggesting that the entity could be lurking just out of sight.
The soundtrack of It Follows, composed by Rich Vreeland, known professionally as Disasterpeace, is integral to the film’s haunting and suspenseful atmosphere. The music primarily features minimalist electronic sounds and synthesizers, creating an unsettling and eerie mood that complements the movie’s themes of relentless pursuit and impending doom. Vreeland employs repetitive melodies and steady rhythms that mimic the persistent nature of the supernatural entity chasing the protagonist, Jay. This repetition not only heightens the tension but also reinforces the feeling of an inescapable threat.
The use of ambient textures and subtle soundscapes adds depth to the film’s environments, making ordinary settings feel ominous and foreboding. Vreeland skillfully blends high-pitched tones with low drones, creating a sense of unease and anticipation. The soundtrack often builds gradually, layering sounds to increase the suspense without overwhelming the viewer, allowing the visuals and story to remain at the forefront while the music intensifies the emotional experience.
Additionally, the soundtrack incorporates moments of silence and minimalism, which are just as effective in creating tension as the more active musical passages. These quiet moments allow the audience to breathe and heighten the impact of sudden musical shifts or startling sounds. The seamless integration of the soundtrack with the film’s cinematography and narrative ensures that the music feels natural and integral to the storytelling. Overall, Rich Vreeland’s soundtrack for It Follows masterfully uses electronic and ambient elements to build a persistent sense of dread and suspense, making it a vital component of the film’s success as a modern horror classic.
Listen to the original motion picture soundtrack below.
It Follows was primarily filmed in and around Chicago, Illinois, which provided a versatile and atmospheric backdrop essential for the film’s unsettling narrative. The choice of Chicago allowed the production to utilize a variety of urban and suburban settings that contributed to the film’s eerie and claustrophobic mood. Key locations included residential neighborhoods, schools, and commercial areas that helped establish the everyday environments where the horror unfolds, making the supernatural elements feel more grounded and relatable.
Several scenes were shot in Evanston, a suburb of Chicago, known for its picturesque streets and classic architecture. Evanston’s well-maintained homes and quiet neighborhoods perfectly mirrored the protagonist Jay’s (Maika Monroe) ordinary life before the terrifying events begin. The use of real locations, rather than relying solely on sound stages, added authenticity to the film, enhancing the sense of realism that makes the horror more impactful.
In addition to on-location shooting, the production team also utilized sound stages and custom-built sets within the Chicago area to create specific environments that were integral to the story. These controlled settings allowed for precise lighting and atmospheric effects, which were crucial in building the film’s suspenseful and foreboding tone. The combination of real-world locations and meticulously crafted sets enabled It Follows to maintain a consistent and immersive visual style throughout.
Chicago’s diverse architectural landscape and the availability of experienced local crew members played a significant role in the seamless execution of the film’s complex scenes. The city’s support for film productions, along with its rich array of suitable locations, made it an ideal choice for bringing David Robert Mitchell’s vision to life.
It Follows is set in contemporary times, specifically reflecting the early 2010s when the film was released in 2014. The setting primarily takes place in a modern suburban environment, capturing the everyday life and relatable locations that contribute to the film’s unsettling atmosphere. This contemporary backdrop is crucial in making the horror elements feel grounded and plausible, as the supernatural threat invades the familiar and mundane aspects of the characters’ lives.
The film’s urban and suburban settings include typical American neighborhoods, high schools, and various public and private spaces that the protagonist, Jay, frequents. These locations are depicted with a realistic and current aesthetic, emphasizing the contrast between the ordinary surroundings and the extraordinary, relentless menace that pursues Jay. By situating the story in a modern setting, It Follows effectively blurs the line between reality and horror, making the supernatural elements more intrusive and believable.
In the film It Follows, the “monster” is a unique and unsettling supernatural entity that serves as the central antagonist. Unlike traditional horror villains, this entity lacks a distinct appearance and instead manifests as a shape-shifting figure that relentlessly pursues its target. Here’s a detailed explanation of what the monster represents and how it functions within the narrative:
Nature of the Entity
The monster in It Follows is an ever-present, shape-shifting force that follows its victim after a sexual encounter. It can take on various forms, often appearing as people the protagonist, Jay, knows or as strangers, making it impossible to predict or identify its true appearance at any given moment. This fluidity adds to the pervasive sense of dread, as the threat is always nearby and can appear anywhere.
Mechanism of the Curse
The curse is transmitted through sexual intercourse, meaning that after engaging in consensual sex, Jay becomes the target of the entity. This method of transmission introduces themes related to intimacy, responsibility, and the consequences of sexual relationships. The entity’s relentless pursuit symbolizes the anxiety and fear that can accompany sexual experiences, particularly the vulnerability and uncertainty that come with them.
Perpetual Fear and Surveillance
The constant pursuit by the entity creates an atmosphere of perpetual fear and the feeling of being watched. This can be seen as a metaphor for modern societal pressures and the pervasive nature of anxiety in everyday life.
Behavior and Characteristics
Impact on the Narrative
The monster’s unique characteristics drive the plot forward, forcing Jay to navigate a series of strategies to survive while grappling with the implications of her situation. The entity’s constant presence affects her relationships, trust in others, and overall mental state, adding depth to her character development and the story’s emotional weight.
