It Follows

In 'It Follows', the horror isn’t just about the supernatural entity—it’s about the psychological weight of inevitability. The film’s brilliance lies in how it uses a simple premise to explore deeper fears: the inescapable nature of death, the burden of responsibility, and the paranoia of being watched. Unlike traditional slashers like 'Halloween' or 'Friday the 13th', where the threat is physical and immediate, 'It Follows' builds tension through slow, creeping dread. The entity is always there, always moving, and you can’t outrun it forever. This makes the horror feel more personal and existential.

What sets 'It Follows' apart is its atmosphere. The cinematography, with its dreamlike quality and unsettling wide shots, creates a sense of unease that lingers long after the credits roll. The soundtrack, a mix of retro synth and eerie tones, amplifies the tension without relying on jump scares. It’s a masterclass in mood over gore, which is rare in modern horror. Films like 'The Babadook' and 'Hereditary' share this focus on psychological terror, but 'It Follows' stands out for its unique blend of nostalgia and modern storytelling.

For fans of horror that messes with your mind, I’d recommend 'The Witch' or 'A Quiet Place'. Both films, like 'It Follows', use minimalism to maximum effect, creating a sense of dread that’s hard to shake. If you’re into anime, 'Paranoia Agent' explores similar themes of paranoia and inevitability, though in a very different format. 'It Follows' isn’t just a horror movie—it’s a meditation on fear itself, and that’s what makes it unforgettable.

The most shocking twist in 'It Follows' for me was realizing that the 'curse' isn’t just a metaphor for STDs or generational trauma—it’s a literal, relentless force. The moment when Jay’s friend Greg gets killed after sleeping with her to 'pass on' the curse was a gut punch. I thought he’d be safe, but the entity didn’t care about the rules we assumed. It just kept coming. The film plays with your expectations, making you think you’ve figured it out, only to pull the rug out. If you’re into psychological horror with layers, 'The Babadook' is another great pick that messes with your head in a similar way.

In 'It Follows', the theme of inevitability is woven into every frame, creating a haunting sense of dread that feels inescapable. The entire premise revolves around a curse passed through sexual contact, and once you’re marked, there’s no way out. The entity that follows is relentless, slow but unstoppable, and it’s this inevitability that makes the horror so effective. The film doesn’t rely on jump scares or gore; instead, it builds tension through the idea that no matter where you go or what you do, it’s coming for you. The characters try everything—running, hiding, even passing the curse to someone else—but nothing works. It’s a chilling metaphor for the inescapable nature of death or consequences, something we all have to face eventually.

What’s fascinating is how the film uses visual storytelling to emphasize this theme. The entity is always in the background, often blending into crowds or appearing in the distance, a constant reminder that it’s always there, even when you think you’re safe. The cinematography, with its wide shots and long takes, reinforces the idea that there’s no escape. The characters’ attempts to outsmart the entity feel futile, and that’s the point. The film suggests that some things in life are inevitable, and trying to avoid them only delays the inevitable.

For viewers who appreciate this kind of existential horror, I’d recommend 'The Babadook', which explores the inevitability of grief, or 'Hereditary', where the characters are trapped by their family’s dark legacy. Both films, like 'It Follows', use horror to explore themes we all grapple with in real life.

The character development in 'It Follows' is deeply intertwined with the film’s exploration of fear, vulnerability, and the inevitability of consequences. For me, the protagonist, Jay, embodies the theme of growing up and facing the unknown. At the start, she’s carefree, almost naive, but the moment she’s marked by the curse, her entire world shifts. Her evolution isn’t just about survival; it’s about confronting the weight of her choices and the realization that some things can’t be undone. The way she transforms from someone who relies on others to someone who takes charge mirrors the film’s broader commentary on maturity and accountability.

What struck me most was how the curse forces Jay to confront her own mortality. It’s not just a physical threat; it’s a psychological one. The constant paranoia, the inability to trust even those closest to her, and the isolation she feels all reflect the film’s themes of inevitability and the inescapable nature of certain truths. Her relationships with her friends also evolve in a way that highlights the fragility of human connections under pressure. They start off as a tight-knit group, but as the curse looms, their loyalty is tested, and cracks begin to show. This dynamic underscores the idea that fear can both unite and divide people.

Jay’s journey also mirrors the film’s exploration of time and inevitability. The curse is relentless, always moving forward, much like time itself. Her attempts to outrun it or pass it on to others feel futile, emphasizing the theme that some things—whether it’s growing up, facing consequences, or confronting death—are unavoidable. The film’s cyclical nature, where the curse keeps returning, mirrors Jay’s internal struggle to come to terms with her reality. By the end, she’s not the same person she was at the beginning, and that transformation feels earned and deeply tied to the film’s core themes.

If you’re into stories that blend psychological depth with horror, I’d recommend 'The Babadook'. It’s another film that uses its protagonist’s development to explore themes of grief and fear. For a book that delves into similar ideas, try 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. It’s a haunting exploration of fear and the unknown, much like 'It Follows'. Both works use their characters’ journeys to reflect larger, more universal truths about the human experience.

In 'It Follows', the emotional core lies in the tension between fear and connection. The most striking moment for me is when Jay and Paul sit by the lake after narrowly escaping the entity. Jay, still trembling, confesses how the curse makes her feel utterly alone, like she’s carrying a death sentence. Paul, usually the quiet one, reaches out and holds her hand, not with pity, but with a quiet determination to stay by her side. That moment isn’t just about comfort—it’s about the human need to cling to someone when the world feels like it’s collapsing. The film’s genius is in how it uses horror to explore vulnerability.

Another pivotal scene is when Jay’s sister, Kelly, confronts her about the curse. Kelly’s anger isn’t just about the danger Jay’s in—it’s about feeling shut out. Jay’s silence up to that point had created a wall between them, and Kelly’s outburst breaks it down. It’s raw and messy, but it’s also real. The film doesn’t shy away from showing how fear can isolate people, even from those they love.

For me, the most haunting moment is the final scene. Jay and Paul walk hand in hand, but the camera lingers on the distance behind them, leaving us unsure if the entity is still there. It’s a bittersweet reminder that even when we find connection, the shadows of our fears never fully disappear. If you’re into stories that blend horror with emotional depth, I’d recommend 'The Babadook' or the series 'The Haunting of Hill House'. Both explore how fear and trauma shape relationships in profound ways.

In 'It Follows', the symbolism is woven so intricately into the narrative that it feels like a character itself. The relentless, shape-shifting entity that pursues the protagonist, Jay, is a metaphor for the inescapable nature of trauma, guilt, or even mortality. It’s not just a monster; it’s a manifestation of the things we can’t outrun, no matter how fast we move or how far we go. The entity’s slow, methodical approach contrasts with the frantic energy of the characters, emphasizing how some fears are patient and inevitable.

The setting, a decaying Detroit suburb, mirrors this theme of inevitability. The empty streets, abandoned houses, and overgrown lawns create a sense of isolation and decay, reflecting Jay’s internal state. The film’s use of time is also symbolic—the characters are often seen in outdated clothing or surrounded by retro technology, blurring the line between past and present. This suggests that the past is always chasing us, just like the entity.

One of the most striking symbols is the pool scene. Water often represents purification or rebirth, but here, it becomes a trap. Jay and her friends try to fight the entity in the pool, but their efforts are futile. The water, instead of cleansing, becomes a suffocating force, symbolizing how confronting trauma can sometimes feel overwhelming rather than liberating.

For those who enjoy films that use symbolism to deepen their horror, I’d recommend 'The Babadook', which explores grief through its monstrous figure, or 'Hereditary', where family trauma is symbolized through eerie, unsettling imagery. If you’re into anime, 'Perfect Blue' uses psychological symbolism to blur reality and illusion in a similarly haunting way.

The key differences between 'It Follows 2' and the original lie in the evolution of the curse and the characters' responses to it. In the first film, the curse is a metaphor for the inevitability of death and the consequences of intimacy, with a focus on Jay’s personal journey. The sequel expands this by exploring how the curse adapts, becoming more insidious and harder to escape. It introduces a group of survivors who’ve been living with the curse for years, adding a layer of collective trauma and resilience.

Visually, 'It Follows 2' ramps up the tension with more elaborate set pieces and a broader scope, moving beyond the claustrophobic suburban setting of the original. The soundtrack, while still haunting, incorporates new elements to reflect the expanded narrative. The sequel also delves deeper into the mythology of the curse, hinting at its origins and the possibility of breaking it, which the first film left ambiguous. The characters in the sequel are more proactive, forming alliances and strategizing, whereas the original focused on isolation and fear. This shift makes 'It Follows 2' feel like a natural progression, blending the psychological horror of the first with a more action-driven approach.