Mind Body Spirit

Another film focussing on nauseating self-centred social media influencers. Another "found footage" film that brings nothing new or interesting...potentially even less than the minimum you'd expect.

At points it seems like it's trying to being satirical about how pretentious, ostentatious and vapid influencers are, but it's not done well if that was a motive of the writers as it would be missed by most viewers as the fake product placements ads almost glorify them.

The story itself is rather hollow. While there's some attempt to tie it to ancient slavic rituals of the main character's grandmother and ancestors, there's no depth to it at all, or any real back-story, and is merely a minor attempt to create the basis for the "creepy old lady in the dark" trope.

So of course there's a lot that's a bit silly that you might expect from a low-budget small crew film making their first feature-length horror. However many horror fans like myself can appreciate a fun ride even with highly flawed production.

Yes, it's laughable sometimes. The "book" looked like something a kid made for a school project on something that's supposed to look "aged". You can actually notice the stumble when a cameraman picks up a camera -- stuff like that. Putting in non-diagetic ambiance in a found footage film is rather silly, as is its clearly intentional editing. Pretty much there's not a moment the film that doesn't feel like filmmakers are making it. But, as a yoga influencer might say, just let it go!

Sarah J Bartholomew's committed performance had a tendency to sell all the silly props and tricks, and since *she* was taking it all so seriously, it helped the viewer suspend some disbelief and join her on her ride. She deserves some success in the future of acting.

But honestly, I think what I like most about this feature is the general concept of taking the piss out of new age granola-crunching culture. Usually a demonic possession film is designed to act as antithesis to the Christian church, and it's nice instead to see the target placed on the toxic positivity of westernized McYoga "find your own truth" types. Just like the Christians, Neo-hippies as well have the demons in their closet that's gotta be aired out! I was laughing quite a bit at how the film subverted the sanitized "sacred" vibe of that culture with some well-deserved demonic bloodshed!

Also, I have to appreciate the fact there's a found footage film that doesn't have a second of handheld shaky cam, which is so tiresome. Honestly the shot composition is very strong in the film, the leads performance and the cinematography were probably the strongest elements. And it's so refreshing that the camera stays still most of the time, or only moves very slowly, so you don't get the motion sickness you might usually get from a found footage film -- I have to say too that in many of the found footage films that use that handheld shakiness, it feels forced as if its trying to remind you that it's a found footage film, which is especially silly when it follows "documentarians". Like if they're professional documentarians, you'd think they'd know to hold a camera still! Luckily there's none of that in Mind Body Spirit, the camera is as still as a yogi's attention.

So I'm not gonna call this a great film -- it's definitely not. But I did think it was a hoot that was a lot of fun!

"Mind Body Spirit" (2023) is a found footage horror film that delves into the dark side of influencer culture and spiritual obsession. The film follows Anya, an aspiring yoga influencer who moves into her estranged grandmother's home to record her first video. There, she discovers a hidden room filled with cryptic messages and items left behind by her grandmother, Verasha.

Intrigued, Anya begins to incorporate Verasha's teachings into her online persona, leading to a surge in popularity. However, as Anya delves deeper into the mysterious practices, she unwittingly unleashes an otherworldly entity that begins to manipulate her life and her videos. The film explores themes of fame, self-destruction, and the dangers of blindly following spiritual practices without understanding their true nature.

"Mind Body Spirit" effectively utilizes the found footage format to create a sense of immediacy and realism. The shaky camera work and intimate perspective heighten the tension and make the events on screen feel more visceral. The film also benefits from strong performances, particularly from Sarah J. Bartholomew as Anya. Her descent into obsession is both chilling and believable.

However, the film's reliance on jump scares and predictable plot twists can detract from its overall impact. Additionally, the ending feels somewhat rushed and leaves several questions unanswered. Despite these shortcomings, "Mind Body Spirit" offers a thought-provoking commentary on the influencer age and the dangers of unchecked ambition. It's a chilling reminder that the pursuit of fame and fortune can come at a steep price, especially when it involves delving into the unknown.

Mind Body Spirit isn't necessarily a scary film, but it offers an intriguing and enjoyable watch. The storyline presents a unique concept that keeps the audience engaged, blending psychological tension with supernatural elements in a way that feels fresh. While it doesn't rely on outright horror, the film's atmosphere and themes create a sense of unease and curiosity.

I particularly liked the way the story unfolded, gradually pulling the viewer deeper into its mysteries. The execution was effective, making it an interesting film for those who appreciate thought-provoking narratives rather than pure scares. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience with a concept that stood out.

Anya starts to explore her Slavic ancestry after moving into her inherited grandmother's house and finds a book left by her grandmother with mysterious rituals. She decides these rituals make better content than the usual yoga instructions she has tried to build an online following with.

Good ideas, the film keeps your attention throughout.

But the acting is so-so and the different themes don't quite fit together. Online yoga and the shallowness of the influencer culture is one important layer, which could have been explored a lot more. The Russian yoga traditions, with such luminaries as the Roerich couple, is hinted at, but largely absent.

So, I have a theory about how the ideas behind this film came together. The writers discussed how creepy yoga can actually be (strange body stretching, weird postures and falsely smiling faces). They googled yoga and found Agni Yoga, the Russian variety, as well as the discussions about cultural appropriation and inauthenticity. Without doing more research than that, they put this film together. That would be the explanation to why the film lacks a satisfying whole and is rather a mishmash of stuff related to the word Yoga.

Again though, a quick and attention-grabbing flick.