Acolytes

This is a small but nicely filmed dark Australian thriller. As is the case with many Australasian films it never worries about veering away from the predictable and this makes for an absorbing film. It follows 3 teenagers who happen to find a dead body and knowing who the killer is attempt to bribe him to help them with a local thug.

I found this film grabbed my attention from the start helped by good believable performances from the 3 young leads. They are backed up well by Joel Edgerton, who has recently made it big thanks to his role in the excellent 'Warrior', and who really shines in this as the creepy local psychopath.

It's a pretty grim story but never less than compelling and builds an impressive amount of tension as the film nears it's climax. This is a chilling and bleak film and whilst it's no classic I was surprised at just how good it was.

A very impressive effort which is well worth more than one viewing.

ACOLYTES – CATCH IT ( B ) Acolytes is about two teenage Boys and a Girl who find a dead body in the forest and rather then telling the police, the boys plan to use the serial Killer to take their revenge from the Guy, who molested them… when they were kids. The concept of the movie is really interesting and the execution is also very enthralling. Although, in the end it became lot more Twisted than expected. Sebastian Gregory, Joshua Payne and Helena M.Lawrence make a dynamic trio. Watching them juggling through all was quite enjoyable. Joel Egerton is becoming my favorite Aussie Man, I loved him in Animal Kingdom and here he didn't have much scoop but he did creep me out through his mustache. Michael Dorman as Child Molester was pretty darn good. Overall, really good Aussie Thriller, I enjoyed it because of its story and performances by ensemble Aussie actors.

I Would have to disagree strongly with the previous lame comment. I watched this not expecting too much from it. The Fact is that the cast were superb, Especially The lead Teen Female. The dark sides of them all came through, all were messed up in an not obvious way. There was an underlying current which ran through the movie of teenage angst and sexuality. The serial killer role was played well also as you could feel he had gone through what they had as children. What this movie is, is a strong drama/thriller. Yes I would agree they don't do the obvious, but you could relate with the messed up teenage heads they did what they did and it is believable. Also a decent dark ending, instead of which could have so easily been an opt out happy one. The attention to detail in the movie was fantastic also. I very good solid 7 out of 10. A little slow at times, but lets a thinking person see where the characters are coming from.

Excellent little film that slow burns into a final act fire worthy of the wait. We begins with a seemingly subtle teenage angst drama, you have 3 obviously "touched" teens, 1 girl and 2 boys whom you quickly determine are all awash with personal problems, anger issues, sullen introvert melancholy, over sexualized acting out and reckless disregard for their own safety...not a good mix when a bully who abused the 2 boys years earlier is now out on parole and none the improved citizen. Despite this he seems to have no interest in bothering them, that doesn't erase the grudge they carry. This comes into play when one of the boys witnesses a man in the woods burying something. The 3 teens decide to come back thinking it could be money or drugs only to discover a body, but NOT the body fo the local girl that has been missing (Whom many believe the bully was responsible for her disappearance). When the 3 teens discover that the bully is NOT, and that instead a local serial killer whom has been work in the area for who knows how long is none to happy when these teens make the brilliant (not) decision to blackmail a serial killer to rid them of the bully, considering their own personal revenge more important than the evil they have decided to blackmail one supposes. Needless to say things don't go well, basically turning into a pretty tense, anxious and properly frightening slasher film in many aspects. Add in the final act's well hidden and quite shocking TWISTS and what appeared to be a mediocre thriller turned into a WTF horror movie with slasher overtones. I was quite impressed with the cinematography, the acting and the twists which I failed to see coming, considering my quite extensive film collection that is not an easy task for a movie to accomplish...I am pleased to say this one did. VERY glad I bought it and have it in my collection.

As always, a review by a horror films freak, not a professional critic nor even a cinema student.

For starters - allow me to admit that, having watched the film from beginning to end with no pauses, as the credits rolled I was left completely bewildered. As the twists occurred, I was able to realize I was in fact witnessing a twist, but not thoroughly comprehend what the twist was or what made it a twist.

As always, I came here to IMDb as soon the film had ended, and was much relieved to find out I wasn't the only one with more questions than answers... It was as if James's shirt slogan ("question everything answer nothing") was meant for this film. So after doing a little reading I was able to fully understand the plot, the twists and how they came together. All in all I'd have to say that the story was quite good and that the "bully" and "serial killer" genre clichés were collaborated in quite an original and artistic way (if somewhat unnecessary). However, the fact that I and many others found it so hard to follow and understand (whether due to poor storytelling or the extremely confusing shooting and cinematography) is a shortcoming in my book. Although I did find the cinematography, as well as the use of sound during the flashbacks, to be innovating and impressive. Some of you might find it tacky though.

Finally, I really loved the soundtrack, definitely going to look it up! So in conclusion - while this film could have been better, if you manage to look closely and carefully follow every scene you'll probably enjoy it. Won't be easy though!