It Follows Film Review

Discover the chilling world of *It Follows*, where a young woman's life is threatened by a relentless, supernatural force. This 2015 horror film, directed by David Robert Mitchell, explores themes of trauma, intimacy, and survival.

Introduction to Horror

It Follows is a thought-provoking horror film that delves into the consequences of a young woman's sexual encounter. The movie follows Jay, played by Maika Monroe, as she tries to evade the mysterious force that relentlessly pursues her.

Themes and Performances

The film explores themes of trauma, intimacy, and survival, raising questions about the consequences of one's actions. The cast delivers strong performances, bringing depth to their characters.

Direction and Atmosphere

David Robert Mitchell's direction masterfully crafts a sense of tension and unease, making the viewer feel like they are part of Jay's desperate struggle. The cinematography and score also contribute to the eerie atmosphere, immersing the audience in the world of the film. One specific reason It Follows is great for English learners is that it provides an opportunity to learn vocabulary and phrases related to horror and suspense, such as to stalk and to haunt, in context.

6 hidden details

Low Budget Success

Despite being made on a relatively low budget, *It Follows* received widespread critical acclaim and became a commercial success. The film's budget was around $2 million, but it went on to gross over $20 million worldwide. This success can be attributed to the film's unique concept and the director's ability to create tension and suspense with limited resources.

Inspirations

David Robert Mitchell has cited several influences for the film, including the works of John Carpenter and David Lynch. He also drew inspiration from his own fears and anxieties, as well as the experiences of people around him.

Maika Monroe

Maika Monroe, the lead actress, was a relatively new face in the film industry at the time of the movie's release. Her performance in *It Follows* helped establish her as a talented young actress, and she has since appeared in several other films and TV shows.

Filming Locations

The film was shot on location in Detroit, Michigan, and the surrounding areas. The director chose these locations for their unique blend of urban and suburban landscapes, which added to the film's sense of unease and isolation.

Score and Soundtrack

The film's score and soundtrack were composed by Disasterpeace, a musician known for his work on video game soundtracks. The score is a mix of electronic and orchestral elements, and it helps to create the film's tense and unsettling atmosphere.

Critical Acclaim

*It Follows* received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising the film's original concept, atmospheric tension, and strong performances. The film holds a high rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been included on several lists of the best horror films of the 2010s.

The Takeaway

The takeaway from It Follows is that it's a film that not only entertains but also encourages viewers to think critically about the themes and messages presented. For learners, it's a great opportunity to improve their English skills while exploring a captivating story. We recommend watching the scene where Jay explains her situation to her friends with subtitles to get a better understanding of the plot and vocabulary.

Watch this film. Speak better English by Sunday.

Vocabulary, idioms, cultural context, and one scene broken down for shadowing practice.

Vocabulary (16)

relentless

early

showing no mercy or forgiveness

"The relentless pursuit of the supernatural force drives the plot of the film."

intimacy

middle

closeness or warmth in a relationship

"The film explores the theme of intimacy and its consequences."

trauma

middle

a very upsetting or disturbing experience

"The main character experiences trauma after her encounter with the supernatural force."

haunt

late

to visit or appear to someone as a ghost

"The supernatural force haunts the main character throughout the film."

stalk

late

to follow or pursue someone in a sneaky or threatening way

"The supernatural force stalks the main character, causing her to feel afraid and anxious."

unease

late

a feeling of discomfort or anxiety

"The film creates a sense of unease in the viewer through its atmospheric tension and suspenseful plot."

suspense

late

a feeling of excitement or anxiety about what is going to happen

"The film builds suspense through its use of music and camera angles."

atmosphere

late

the feeling or mood that a place or situation gives you

"The film's atmosphere is tense and unsettling, making the viewer feel like they are part of the story."

cinematography

late

the art of filming movies

"The film's cinematography is highly praised for its use of lighting and camera angles to create a sense of tension."

score

late

the music that accompanies a movie

"The film's score is a mix of electronic and orchestral elements, adding to the tense atmosphere."

soundtrack

late

the music that is played during a movie

"The film's soundtrack features a mix of electronic and orchestral elements, creating a unique and unsettling sound."

acclaim

late

praise or admiration for something

"The film received widespread critical acclaim for its original concept and atmospheric tension."

concept

late

an idea or notion

"The film's concept is unique and thought-provoking, exploring themes of trauma and intimacy."

tension

late

a feeling of anxiety or unease

"The film builds tension through its use of music and camera angles."

isolation

late

the state of being alone or separated from others

"The film's use of location creates a sense of isolation, adding to the tense atmosphere."

landscape

late

the visible features of an area of land

"The film's use of location creates a unique landscape, blending urban and suburban areas."

Idioms & Expressions

on the run

trying to escape or avoid something

The main character is on the run from the supernatural force throughout the film.

in a nutshell

to summarize or describe something briefly

The film's plot can be described in a nutshell as a young woman's desperate attempt to survive a supernatural force.

to be on edge

to feel anxious or nervous

The film's tense atmosphere puts the viewer on edge, making them feel like they are part of the story.

to get to the bottom of something

to find the truth or solution to a problem

The main character tries to get to the bottom of the supernatural force's origins and motivations.

to be in a tight spot

to be in a difficult or challenging situation

The main character is in a tight spot as she tries to evade the supernatural force.

Cultural References

American suburban culture

The film's portrayal of American suburban culture is unique and thought-provoking, exploring themes of isolation and disconnection.

Horror movie tropes

The film plays with common horror movie tropes, such as the supernatural force and the final girl, but also subverts them in interesting ways.

Detroit, Michigan

The film's use of location in Detroit, Michigan, adds to the sense of unease and isolation, and provides a unique backdrop for the story.

Teenage relationships

The film's portrayal of teenage relationships is realistic and nuanced, exploring themes of intimacy and trauma.

Scene Breakdown for Shadowing

around 00:20:00

Jay: 'I don't know what it is, but it's been following me ever since...'
Friend: 'Since what?'
Jay: 'Since I slept with him.'
Friend: 'What do you mean it's been following you?'

This scene is powerful for learners because it introduces the central plot and themes of the film. The vocabulary and idioms used, such as 'to stalk' and 'to haunt', are also relevant to the horror genre and provide a great opportunity for learners to practice their listening and speaking skills. We recommend shadowing practice for this scene, where learners repeat the dialogue to improve their pronunciation and intonation.

It Follows

Introduction to Horror

Themes and Performances

Direction and Atmosphere

6 hidden details

Low Budget Success

Inspirations

Maika Monroe

Filming Locations

Score and Soundtrack

Critical Acclaim

The Takeaway

Watch this film. Speak better English by Sunday.

Vocabulary (16)

Idioms & Expressions

Cultural References

Scene Breakdown for Shadowing

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