From the moment it opens to the closing credits, ‘It Follows’ brings a sense of dread that refuses to let go. No scene is without its feeling that something terrible is going to happen whether its predicted or not.

 

Unsettling from beginning to end, this film starts out on the journey it intends to lead us on, one of paranoia, fear and ultimately, hair tinglingly tense rollercoaster of emotion pulled together by a trio of actors who should not be ignored.

 

Jay (Maika Monroe) takes a troublesome trip as her boyfriend abducts her and leaves her a parting gift of a stalking spirit and warns her not to let it touch her and that to rid the presence, she will need to pass it on or the consequences will be lethal. Left alone on her porch, Kelly (Lili Sepe) and Paul (Keir Gilchrist) pick up the pieces and quickly learn that the paranoia running through Jay is something much more sinister.

 

Despite spreading like an STD, this is a tasteful film that sheds little blood and boob in favour for a chilling atmospheric chiller that much like its antagonist, holds an unsettling presence throughout. Aided by an old school friend, Jay learns that the only way to stop the following is to pass it on to another.

 

There is no rhyme or reason for some of the events in the film, no sense of timing as to when “It” will appear or how “It” is passed but what it lacks in sensibility, it sure as Hell makes up for in sheer dread.

 

Maika Monroe proves she’s more than a one hit wonder and brings over her aura from ‘The Guest’ straight to ‘It Follows’ Not only content in sharing it’s lead actress, its reminiscent of the golden oldies of the 80’s are plastered all over this. The score, ripped straight from John Carpenter, shares homage with the 1978 classic ‘Halloween’ and even the suburban home of Jay feels like it should be called Haddonfield. Laced with synthesized beats and haunting chords, the ghastly stalker could well be Michael Myers himself if it wasn’t for the lack of site those around its victims have.

 

There is a huge pedestal to hold writer and director David Robert Mitchell on at this moment for reinventing the teen slasher in a way not seen since 2000’s ‘Final Destination’. The blend of likable characters with the sinister stalker is a tool seen a hundred times before but through his style and passion for the genre, Mitchell has created a monster.

 

This new wave of Neon Cinema boasts homage without imitation to a decade of film that is defined as the golden age of horror. ‘It Follows’ has spawned a franchise that any studio would be stupid not to pursue. Blending an original idea with the themes of its idols, it carries off as ‘The Sixth Sense’ meets ‘The Ring’’ with a plethora of opportunity to carry on and be the memorable franchise the genre so deservedly needs. A cast of strong newbies in Monroe, Gilchrist and Sepe can hold their own and have proved that they are each talents to watch and may in turn be reflected on in years to come as a homage to a new wave of cinema.