It Follows (2014) Review – A Stylish Modern Classic That Still Divides Fans
It Follows: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A masterfully crafted piece of independent horror that prioritises atmosphere and dread over cheap jump scares. David Robert Mitchell uses the wide frame to perfection, creating a sense of constant paranoia as the viewer scans the background for the relentless, slow-moving threat. While the middle act loses some momentum and certain internal logic feels a bit loose, the exceptional soundtrack by Disasterpeace and Maika Monroe’s grounded performance elevate it far above its peers. It remains one of the most aesthetically pleasing and influential horror films of the last decade, even if the central gimmick eventually loses its initial bite. A solid 3.5-star experience that is essential for any modern horror fan.
Details: Director: David Robert Mitchell | Cast: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto, Jake Weary, Olivia Luccardi, Lili Sepe | Runtime: 1h 40m | Release Date: 27 February 2015 (UK)
Best for: Fans of stylish indie horror, lovers of 80s synth-driven soundtracks, and viewers who enjoy high-concept supernatural thrillers.
Worth noting: A sequel, titled They Follow, has been officially announced with David Robert Mitchell and Maika Monroe both returning.
Where to Watch: Amazon🛒
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
(Stunning cinematography, iconic soundtrack, slightly repetitive middle act)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we are checking out something of a modern horror movie classic: David Robert Mitchell’s incredibly well-regarded It Follows (2014). We are coming, hot off the heels, of a sequel announcement, with the original crew reuniting to bring us They Follow sometime in the near future. But how does the first movie hold up?
Table of Contents
A modern horror hit
It Follows sees our protagonist, Jay (Maika Monroe), being stalked by a relentless, evil, entity after a night of canoodling with some random older dude with a 90s buzz cut and a sordid past. The entity manifests as various different people who pursue Jay wherever she goes, moving slowly but never stopping. Jay and her friends must find a way to rid her of the curse so she can go back to her normal, everyday, life.
We originally watched It Follows in the cinema back in 2014. It had a somewhat limited release in the UK but, luckily, we managed to catch it. I recall my fiancée and I loving it.
“I really enjoyed the fantastic, dreamy, cinematography, the brilliant and nostalgic soundtrack, and the general pacing of the movie.”
I really enjoyed the fantastic, dreamy, cinematography, the brilliant and nostalgic soundtrack, the strangely haunting consistent presence of the entity, and the general pacing of the movie. Throw in a fantastic performance by Maika Monroe and you have a recipe for a brilliant horror movie. It’s very deserving of the praise.
It’s still good and still divisive
Watching again in 2024, it holds up really well. Cinematography is fantastic. Mitchell has a real knack for voyeuristic shots that put the viewer into the eyes of someone observing the events from a distance. There is a wonderful, autumnal, indie horror movie vibe to everything and it just looks great. The soundtrack is still brilliant. There are a ton of nods to 80s horror and even a few winks to Hitchcock, something you will also see with the direction and cinematography. Aesthetically, It Follows is one of the most pleasing horror movies of recent years, creative but devoid of pretension and pomp.
As a horror, it still works well but I can see why some people really dislike this movie. The “entity” that follows Jay is, initially, a pretty compelling and rather scary antagonist. Taking the form of overly huge men, fully naked women, and decrepit looking people, it works well. That is, until it doesn’t.
The concept is slightly overused. I can’t help but feel like we see too much of it. I get it, it is always following and always there. It’s hard to shake the sense that you get a little bit used to seeing it after about 40 minutes. The fear factor goes and the movie starts to repeat itself a bit. It all gets a bit samey and, dare I say it, repetitive.
“Aesthetically, It Follows is one of the most pleasing horror movies of recent years, creative but devoid of pretension and pomp.”
Mitchell resorts to some rather ridiculous set-pieces to try and liven things up, some of which simply don’t work and, ultimately, feel a bit silly and a bit disparate from the rest of the film.
The middle of the movie sags a great deal. The “sexy neighbour” side story feels out of place in a movie like this. Still, there is plenty to like. Some of the scenes are fantastic and legitimately frightening. Acting, outside of Daniel Zovatto, is brilliant and the movie has a lot of tension and atmosphere. It Follows felt very fresh when it released and there still isn’t anything quite like it now. It holds up well but I completely understand why some people dislike it. If the “relentless entity manifesting as weird looking people” thing doesn’t grab you, then there isn’t much else to like.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Cinematography: The use of long, wide shots creates a relentless sense of unease and forces the viewer to constantly scan the horizon.
- The Soundtrack: Disasterpeace delivers an iconic, synth-heavy score that perfectly complements the film’s nostalgic, dreamlike quality.
- Maika Monroe: A fantastic lead performance that grounds the more outlandish elements of the plot in real emotion.
The Bad
- Pacing: The film sags significantly in the middle, with a “sexy neighbour” subplot that feels somewhat disconnected from the core horror.
- Repetition: The central concept of being followed begins to lose its impact once the entity’s presence becomes a familiar routine.
The Ugly: The swimming pool sequence. It is a strangely silly set-piece that feels at odds with the polished, sophisticated dread established earlier in the film.
Should You Watch It Follows?
Yes, you should definitely watch it. Even with its minor pacing issues, It Follows is a gorgeous and unique horror film that manages to be both nostalgic and fresh. If you appreciate atmosphere and creative cinematography, it is a must-see, especially with the sequel arriving in the near future.
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Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.
A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.
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