PhoenixRising1980

What starts out as a promising look into a religious cult, quickly turns into a jumbled mess of incoherent storytelling, baffling motivations, and annoying camera work.

The problem is none of the characters are well rounded or defined beyond the absolute basics (and they do incredibly stupid things throughout the film, especially in the second half). So when things start going bad, it's hard to care. The film seems to want to offer a deep, nuanced look into the world of cults, but West doesn't seem to be able to paint anyone with more than a primary colored brush. Everyone is a caricature ...especially "Father", who is little more than a mouthpiece for religious mumbo jumbo.

The decision to make this found footage becomes the film's biggest flaw, as the extremely limited use of the camera gives every scene a flat incomplete feeling, totally stripping the film of any gravitas or meaning. Found footage has become a lazy, tired cliché in the horror genre and West is no where near talented enough to make it work. West is quickly becoming a hackneyed presence in the world of horror, and it's a mystery why people make such a big deal of him.

And I am wondering where the hell the $4 Million budget went, since the cinematography is bare bones, we're only ever in a single location, and there are no explosions or huge actions scenes. I mean you could've made this for less than a million dollars and it would've been exactly the same movie.

All in all a disappointing film.

Someone called this the best Brian DePalma film he never made, and I can sort of agree with that...DePalma isn't anywhere near this good anymore, but let's give the guy his due, he made some amazing films.

It's an operatic, flamboyant, audacious, over the top, technically astounding thriller. There were moments where I was literally stunned by the sheer virtuoso filmmaking on display...I can easily see DePalma watching this and seething with envy or laughing at how much he's being ripped off. The film borrows HEAVILY from Hitchcock, but has DePalma's showy, sardonic bite.

On the downside, some of the acting (besides Wood, who is pretty great) is laughably bad and over the top, but not much worse than a typical DePalma cadre of scenery chewing actors. The plot is very simple albeit a bit silly, but honestly this film is miles better than most Hollywood assembly line thrillers and is far more deserving of your money.

I was thoroughly impressed and entertained by this film. The director seems to be incredibly gifted at ratcheting up tension and suspense and uses the camera to such an inventive degree, he has the potential to be one of the greats, and he's definitely one to watch out for in the future. Let's hope he isn't swallowed up by the Hollywood machine and molded into another generic journeyman...the guy's talent cannot be ignored.

i wont bore with you what you already know; the movie is terrible. but one thing i don't see the reviews pointing out is its biggest flaw...technically the movie is incompetently made. basic coverage isn't even used. an example is when we first see the film critic meet cleveland...they don't even meet, there's a shot of the critic in the gate way, and a voice over from cleveland saying "welcome to the cove"...basic cinematic language isn't even adhered to...yes, Night is that arrogant. when the korean girl is introduced, we don't even see her face, just the back of her and her annoying voice. ridiculous...Night doesn't even shoot coverage. it's the studio's fault for not forcing him to do it.

i know night doesn't like coverage and thats fine when the scene can do without it, but the basics are even covered, which is absurd. it's also clumsily shot, like a film school reject framed some of it. terrible.