10 Years Later, ‘It Follows’ Still Terrifies as a Horror Classic

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10 years have gone by since one of the most influential horror films of its decade, It Follows, graced our screens. This film is a testament to the reemergence of ‘art horror’ as a creative force, with production companies like A24 and Neon leading the way. The plot follows a group of friends who are persistently pursued by an unseen entity. What makes It Follows stand out is its ability to make characters feel vulnerable not through poor decision-making, but by keeping the threat just far enough away to seem omnipresent in their every action. The movie skillfully maintains a high level of suspense by essentially turning it into a chilling game of hot potato, as the curse can be transferred to another person via sexual contact.

This movie, “It Follows,” immerses you in a world filled with teenage anxiety and an ominous feeling of dread. It underscores the challenges that come with growing up by portraying the idea of avoiding sex as equally terrifying as the dangers it might bring to their friends. The film cleverly redefines the role of sex in horror movies, presenting a more nuanced perspective instead of exploitation. “It Follows” makes the fear of danger equal to the fear of growing up, transforming the horror genre into a deeper thematic examination of life’s transitions.

One effective rephrasing could be: “One of the finest horror films this century has offered is ‘It Follows.’ Unlike many other horror movies, it doesn’t rely heavily on jump scares. Instead, it creates a chilling atmosphere by suggesting impending danger subtly, building up an overwhelming sense of dread and inevitability rather than forcing characters into immediate fear.

‘It Follows’ Fills Its Audience With Dread

In recent times, one aspect of horror that seems to be given less emphasis is the emotional impact on the viewers after the movie ends. Many contemporary horror films forego creating an atmosphere of uncertainty or long-lasting fear. The film “It Follows” stands out by focusing more on allowing the audience to fill in the blanks and trusting them to scare themselves with limited information. To instill a fear that haunts the audience, a horror movie should master manipulating viewers into overthinking and trying to guess what will happen next, as they are afraid of being surprised or caught off guard.

Later on, the intriguing film “It Follows” presents something seemingly ordinary to the characters, but by now, viewers are so engrossed in anticipating scares that it ends up being more unsettling than the movie’s minimalist approach might suggest. The horror of “It Follows” lies in its subtlety, as it refrains from bombarding the audience with jump scares or overwhelming them with loud noises. Instead, “It Follows” maintains an air of mystery that keeps viewers on their toes and actively involved in unraveling the plot.

Maika Monroe Is Excellent in ‘It Follows’

Prior to starring alongside Nicolas Cage in “Longlegs”, Maika Monroe portrayed a troubled adolescent grappling with the trials of youth and a menacing stalker. What sets Monroe’s character apart in the film “It Follows” is her ability to transcend the typical final girl stereotype, skillfully shifting between various positions of power as she struggles to convince her peers about the supernatural events unfolding. Simultaneously, Monroe’s character, Jay, is a teenage girl, a factor that “It Follows” exploits when addressing themes such as sexuality and maturation.

In “It Follows,” Monroe’s weakest moments occur when she must employ her sexuality as a defense mechanism against the pursuing entity. The film skillfully exploits these instances to emphasize the dependency of our protagonist on others for salvation, resulting in a fascinating exploration of gender power dynamics. However, it becomes apparent that Monroe is much more than just a girl needing rescue when we witness this.

“It Follows” masterfully manipulates the significance of sex among its characters, and as the specifics of its workings remain shrouded in mystery, the movie compels its audience to tap into their deepest, primal sexual instincts for survival rather than pleasure.

The Final Moments of ‘It Follows’ Cements It as a Modern Horror Classic

In summary, the movie “It Follows” effectively builds tension by gradually revealing its horror mechanism towards the end, keeping the audience guessing about potential threats throughout. The film’s use of space is crucial in creating fear, as anything within sight can potentially be a threat, making everything appear normal and safe while hiding the true danger lurking around. This creates an unsettling atmosphere and isolates the characters further, making them seem like they are playing a game. By doing so, the movie capitalizes on the fear of the unknown that it exploits as its central horror element.

In the last decade, not many horror movies have managed what It Follows has pulled off so effectively. It masterfully instills an unsettling anticipation, leaving viewers on edge without fully revealing the impending threat. By merging elements of coming-of-age and horror, It Follows places its young characters in a survival scenario that pushes them to mature beyond their years. This subtle touch lends an air of claustrophobia to the entire film, emphasizing that our protagonists are in over their heads.

It Follows stands out as an exceptional instance of horror at its core, eschewing the visually striking shots characteristic of films like Midsommar. Instead, it skillfully creates an unsettling atmosphere by subtly confounding viewers, making them more receptive to the eerie realism in its scares. You can stream “It Follows ” on Max.

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2025-03-13 05:02