I would actually say that I didn't like it as much as I think I would. I am not such a fan of the Hollywood Illuminati movies because frankly they don't make much sense to me. I think the Illuminati idea is a convenient scapegoat for everything. Now, as far as the movie is concerned, I am not judging the movie on that basis.
The first movie that came to mind when I was watching this movie was the movie Kill list. For some reason, it constantly reminded me of that movie. But honestly it doesn't have the subtlety and maturity of that movie. There is a difference between the kitchen sink style and the American mainstream horror style I suppose. But this movie does do well on its own in different ways.
Alex Essoe has given a powerful performance as Sarah. This is a movie that depends quite a bit on the lead character, so her performance is the absolute highlight of the movie. The transformation is impeccable. But what I liked was this - she was not a victim. Towards the end, what we see is what she really is. People like to look at the movie as a budding starlet being corrupted by the cult. But I don't look at it that way. Right from the beginning, we see that she didn't fit in there. She was awkward and shy. Most shy people would be able to relate to her feelings at the beginning. For the most part, she is powerless. But one day, she receives the power but for that she needs to sacrifice. The ending is also a sacrifice for her goals. She hated them anyway. Her line in the end where she says "They see the real me" makes sense. She was pure evil. The cult just brings it out of her. It makes her find out who she really is.
The slow burner approach is adopted here but I wouldn't call it subtle. It isn't. But we are not going to see any over the top CGI monsters. But the tone is definitely downbeat and the gore when it appears is certainly brutal.
I do think maybe some of the other acting performances were maybe not up to par. Certain actors who were clearly not good enough were thankfully not utilised much. Especially that guy who was the assistant in the audition. The Producer was not so good either. Their acting seems so cliché and out of place in a movie like this.
Overall I liked it.
7/10
The first movie that came to mind when I was watching this movie was the movie Kill list. For some reason, it constantly reminded me of that movie. But honestly it doesn't have the subtlety and maturity of that movie. There is a difference between the kitchen sink style and the American mainstream horror style I suppose. But this movie does do well on its own in different ways.
Alex Essoe has given a powerful performance as Sarah. This is a movie that depends quite a bit on the lead character, so her performance is the absolute highlight of the movie. The transformation is impeccable. But what I liked was this - she was not a victim. Towards the end, what we see is what she really is. People like to look at the movie as a budding starlet being corrupted by the cult. But I don't look at it that way. Right from the beginning, we see that she didn't fit in there. She was awkward and shy. Most shy people would be able to relate to her feelings at the beginning. For the most part, she is powerless. But one day, she receives the power but for that she needs to sacrifice. The ending is also a sacrifice for her goals. She hated them anyway. Her line in the end where she says "They see the real me" makes sense. She was pure evil. The cult just brings it out of her. It makes her find out who she really is.
The slow burner approach is adopted here but I wouldn't call it subtle. It isn't. But we are not going to see any over the top CGI monsters. But the tone is definitely downbeat and the gore when it appears is certainly brutal.
I do think maybe some of the other acting performances were maybe not up to par. Certain actors who were clearly not good enough were thankfully not utilised much. Especially that guy who was the assistant in the audition. The Producer was not so good either. Their acting seems so cliché and out of place in a movie like this.
Overall I liked it.
7/10