By Ellena Sweet |
Since its 2014 premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the indie horror film It Follows has garnered acclaim from critics and audiences, alike. After sweeping festivals such as Sundance and Toronto International, it was picked up by production company Radius-TWC, which gave the film a limited release in the US.
On March 27th, 2015, the film was granted a wider release, opening in 1,200 theaters throughout the country. Since then, It Follows has raked in an impressive box office return of $11.3 million and now holds a score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The plot of It Follows goes something like this: after a sexual encounter, 19-year-old Jay is followed by ‘it,’ an obscure, stalking force that can appear in the form of just about anyone. Whether it manifests as a loved one or a total stranger, it is always just a few steps behind its victims.
Centered in Detroit, Michigan, the film takes place during an ambiguous period that feels largely reminiscent of the 1980s, yet somehow speaks to modern times. In this way, It Follows creates an ambiance that evokes the memory of its horror predecessors while maintaining a modern appeal.
Much of the film’s ambiance is attributable to its instrumental score, created by composer Rich Vreeland, aka Disasterpeace. Apparently influenced by John Carpenter’s Halloween, the eerie, electronic soundtrack combines melodies with dreadful, throbbing tones interrupted by shrill, jarring screeches.
The film’s cinematography also inspires a growing sense of dread, specifically through the use of 360-degree pans. As the camera scans various scenes at a slow, creepy pace, the viewer is led to become fully aware that ‘it’ might be following from any which way.
Overall, the above devices prove successful, as they effectively construct a menacing atmosphere that is sure to keep viewers utterly on edge as they nervously scan each and every corner of the screen for the film’s duration.
Fortunately for those who hold hope for a follow-up, Tom Quinn, co-president of Radius-TWC, has confirmed talk of a sequel. Among his comments, Quinn mentioned the idea of a title flip for the film’s follow-up: ‘Following It.’
