Rating of
3.5/4
It Follows
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/20/26
A stunning character portrait about a young woman, Martha, (Elizabeth Olsen in a standout break-through performance) who leaves a cult (shades of the Manson Family) and reunites with her estranged sister (Sarah Paulson) only to face a harsh reality. We follow two timelines - the present, and the integration of Martha into the cult. Martha tries her best to return to a normal life but shame, paranoia, depression - it's something that has followed her - and combined with not knowing some typical societal norms, it really is a superb look into a life after cult - as well as showcasing the more disturbing side of what happens inside one. There is also a very early screen role from Julia Garner as well. The movie does move a bit slow but stick with it, it's worth it. As for the ending - yes, quite ambiguous, but I think that's the point - we, much like Martha, are in the dark. Even as she's promised a better life, what she has left behind will truly follow her forever.
