It Follows (2014): Movie Review and Film Summary
Introduction
In the pantheon of modern horror, few films have lingered in the collective psyche quite like It Follows (2014), David Robert Mitchell's masterful exercise in dread. Released amid a wave of found-footage fatigue and jump-scare overload, this indie gem redefined slow-burn terror with its simple yet profoundly unsettling premise: an unstoppable, shape-shifting entity that relentlessly pursues its victims at a walking pace. Starring Maika Monroe as the haunted Jay, the film grossed $23 million worldwide on a $2 million budget, earning universal acclaim (95% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, 66% audience score) and influencing a generation of filmmakers. More than a decade later, in 2025, It Follows remains a benchmark for atmospheric horror—proof that the scariest monsters are the ones you can't outrun, only delay.
This review and summary explores the film's hypnotic narrative, technical brilliance, thematic depth, and enduring legacy, without major spoilers beyond the core concept. If you're searching for where horror meets existential philosophy, It Follows is your inescapable destination.
Plot Summary
Set in the faded suburbs of Detroit, It Follows opens with a gripping prologue: a young woman flees in terror, only to meet a gruesome fate. We quickly shift to Jay Height (Maika Monroe), a poised college student enjoying a seemingly idyllic life with friends and a budding romance. After a seemingly normal sexual encounter with her charming suitor Hugh (Jake Weary), Jay wakes up disoriented in an abandoned lot, plagued by visions of a tall, naked woman shambling toward her with unnatural persistence.
Hugh reveals the curse's rules: the entity—manifesting as anyone from your past or imagination—will follow you at a deliberate walking speed until it kills you. Sex transfers it to the next person, buying temporary reprieve, but if it claims them, it returns to you. Jay's disbelief turns to panic as "it" appears in increasingly invasive forms: a soaked half-naked woman emerging from a pool, a disheveled child, or even beloved family members. Desperate, she confides in her sister Kelly (Lili Sepe), loyal friend Yara (Olivia Luccardi), and the awkward-but-brilliant Paul (Keir Gilchrist), who harbors unspoken feelings for her.
What follows is a road-trip odyssey through empty beaches, derelict buildings, and nostalgic arcades, as the group devises increasingly desperate plans—barricades, guns, even a boat escape—to confront the inexorable force. Mitchell's script masterfully balances quiet domesticity with mounting paranoia, turning everyday spaces into labyrinths of doom. Clocking in at 100 minutes, the film builds to a climax that's equal parts visceral and ambiguous, leaving audiences questioning if the cycle can ever truly break.
Themes and Symbolization
At its core, It Follows is a chilling allegory for sexually transmitted diseases, with the entity embodying the inescapable consequences of intimacy in a post-AIDS world. The transfer mechanic evokes condomless encounters and the guilt of passing on "something" incurable, while the victim's youth underscores generational anxiety about adulthood's hidden burdens. Mitchell has cited influences from 1950s B-movies and John Carpenter, but the film's true genius lies in its broader existential dread: time's slow march toward death, the illusion of control, and the futility of running from fate.
Water recurs as a motif—pools, lakes, oceans—symbolizing the subconscious and inevitable submersion into trauma. The entity's blank-eyed stare and ability to mimic loved ones erode trust, mirroring how STDs (or any unspoken shame) poison relationships. Yet, Mitchell avoids preachiness; the metaphor elevates the horror without overshadowing the primal fear of being seen and hunted. In a 2025 lens, it resonates with pandemic-era isolation, where invisible threats turned neighborhoods into battlegrounds.
Performances and Characters
Maika Monroe delivers a career-defining breakout as Jay, blending vulnerability with steely resolve—her wide-eyed terror in the film's iconic car scene is etched in horror history. Unlike scream queens who dissolve into hysterics, Jay evolves into a fighter, her arc from denial to defiance anchoring the film's emotional core. The ensemble shines in restraint: Keir Gilchrist's Paul provides awkward heart, Lili Sepe's Kelly quiet strength, and Olivia Luccardi's Yara comic relief via her clunky e-reader musings on 1970s cinema.
Supporting turns add layers—Daniel Zovatto as the cocky Greg offers levity, while Ruby Harris as the elderly Gram injects warmth amid chaos. Mitchell's direction favors long takes and natural performances, making characters feel lived-in rather than archetypal.
Technical Brilliance
It Follows is a visual and auditory symphony of unease. Cinematographer Mike Gioulakis employs wide-angle lenses and symmetrical framing to make the world feel vast yet claustrophobic—suburban streets stretch infinitely, amplifying the entity's approach. The 4:3 aspect ratio evokes VHS tapes, blending nostalgia with nausea, while deliberate pacing turns walking into a weapon: you see it coming, heightening anticipation.
Rich Vreeland's (Disasterpeace) synth score is the film's secret star—a pulsating, retro-electronic pulse that mimics a heartbeat under threat. Tracks like "It Follows" build from innocent arpeggios to dissonant swells, earning a 2015 Grammy nomination. Sound design is minimalist genius: distant footsteps, labored breathing, and sudden silences create paranoia without relying on cheap scares. No jump cuts here—Mitchell trusts his audience to feel the dread.
Critical Reception and Legacy
Upon release, It Follows exploded at festivals like Cannes and Toronto, with critics hailing it as "the smartest horror film in years" (The Guardian) and "a modern masterpiece" (RogerEbert.com). It won numerous awards, including Best Director at Sitges, and inspired think pieces on horror's evolution. Commercially, its $23M haul on shoestring budget proved smart genre fare could thrive.
In 2025, its influence permeates: A24's wave (Midsommar, Hereditary), Netflix's His House, and even Smile (2022) echo its relentless pursuit mechanic. A sequel was announced in 2023, with Mitchell returning, though fans debate if lightning can strike twice. Streaming on platforms like Max and Prime Video, it remains essential viewing for horror aficionados.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths: Unparalleled atmosphere, innovative premise, flawless execution. It's horror that rewards rewatches—spot the entity in background shots you missed first time.
Weaknesses: Pacing may test casual viewers; the final act's ambiguity frustrates some seeking closure. Minor plot holes (e.g., rule inconsistencies) arise under scrutiny, but they don't derail the spell.
Conclusion: Why Watch It Follows in 2025?
It Follows endures because it weaponizes patience in an age of instant gratification, reminding us true fear festers slowly. David Robert Mitchell crafted not just a horror film, but a philosophical gut-punch: we're all being followed, by time, regret, or the unknown. Rating: 9.5/10—essential for anyone who believes the best scares walk right toward you. Stream it tonight, but keep one eye on the horizon. It might just be coming for you.
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