The Commune (2009) User Reviews

Unimaginative and Predictable

[lynnmullins · 1/10 · 18 February 2011]

I saw this movie at the Bram Stoker film festival in Whitby last year. Words cannot accurately describe how awful this film was.

Top of the list was predictable. The story line for the film has been overdone and was not original by any means. Acting...awful, especially on the directors behalf. I think a new director should stick to one task. Instead of acting and directing, put your concentration into the film. The only reason this won an award at the film festival was the directors entire family, friends and neighborhood were there voting.

I would not see this again, nor would I ever recommend it to a friend, or even admit to friends I had actually seen it to begin with!

I wish I could give this film a 0 instead of 1 for UN-originality!

Who are these reviewers?

[ritera1 · 3/10 · 1 September 2012]

I am #11 to review this movie and think only the 2nd that isn't actually associated with this film.

Who're you kidding? Nine people who absolutely loved this but 95 users give it a collective 5.2. I smell something fishy. (Especially since the bio of the director is off the charts and I don't buy any of it.)

If you have the DVD, the Action Flick Chick quote is real. The Huffington Post quote is real. I'm going to assume the rest are, too. As for the Accolade Film Award-Award for Excellence, this won two technical awards. It should be noted from their website that they hand out awards four times a year and there are a LOT of "winners." Check out the very long lists. Reminds me of how elementary schools hand out participation awards.

Amateurish work across the board. Wiggle room when you're talking about shooting a film as it takes a lot of time and a lot of money to make it right. Or even close to right.

But what is here is awful. Very bad acting, writing, and directing. And who thought you could sell the lead as a 16 year-old girl? She's not a day under 25.

I don't know what to pick apart first. Clunky as a bag of rocks in a tin can. The acting was terrible; stilted and forced.

And yes, predictable. Rosemary's Baby knockoff. Daddy's motivations were obvious. Mommy showing up at the end was telegraphed big time---but why? Why would mommy divorce daddy, have a running feud for years, and then show up to see her daughter raped? Entirely for effect but had no basis in common sense or logic. But this in a sea of aimless and pointless scenes just treading water 'til the end.

And it looked bland at best. Sure, bland at worst, too. But very uninspired photography.

A lot of nothing. The daughter was there to investigate her dad. Hard to like the hero when she's pretentious and stuck-up. (The info was "her future"? That's nice.)

And it didn't help that her love interest was a walking-talking douche-bag. "Really?" with the wardrobe and make-up? (And why, like the girl, have to wear the same clothes on different days in the story?)

Elisabeth, please don't make any more movies. Please. The people who are encouraging you are wrong. There's a reason that, despite this misguided praise, that you haven't had another feature in three years. You may love it. I don't doubt that. You showed your boobs for it. (But your character had sex with her clothes on?) That's dedication. But you have to find something that you can actually do. Best of luck.

Birdemic is better

[kjerwaldron · 1/10 · 15 September 2015]

These people leaving reviews probably are being paid to leave them because anyone whose actually seem this movie, would never say its good. Its horrible. Like Freddy got fingered horrible. A 22 yr old does not a convincing 15 yr old make....

The acting is so awful that the plot is lost. If this was your labor of love Ms Fries, please choose a different medium. This is going on the black list for me.

I have to leave more words here because my review isn't long enough yet so again i will say this movie is terrible. Oh and the cinematography is horrible too. The characters are unlikable.

Im going to try to save this now.

Do hardcore commune hippies scare you? Prepare to be horrified!

[psychoujonilee · 8/10 · 10 November 2010]

I saw this movie by chance at a horror film festival recently. I had no idea what to expect. Two things give me the creeps bad- one is colonial people, and the other is hardcore hippies. I could not move in my seat through this entire movie, it was so intensely realistic. I was a few minutes into it when I realized it wasn't actually set in the '70s, because it really had that look! I couldn't understand what kind of mother would let her daughter go away to a commune with her creepy, deadbeat, hippie dad. The characters were everything you don't want to meet at such a place. The casting was perfect. Chauntal Lewis stars as the unfortunate girl, Jenny. This story was so very disturbing...then all of a sudden, there is David Lago- 'Raul' from 'the Young and the Restless'! He is so pretty it's hard to look! That calmed me down for a minute, anyway. But then the horror continued...for all the sunshine and pretty scenery in this film, it still manages to give you the chills all the way through. It kind of reminded me of 'Crowhaven Farm' and 'Race With The Devil'. I urge you to see it for yourself. It's like a fine early '70s 'ABC MOVIE OF THE WEEK'! (That is a high compliment, by the way). I haven't seen anything like this in a long time, and I was really missing these type of movies. Thank you Elisabeth Fies! Again- SEE IT!!

My review for The Commune over at moviecynics.com

[BobbyBless · 7/10 · 30 March 2010]

Most of the horror films that I see released these days aren't scary, sport a CW-esquire cast and have to rely on the gore to save a film that was weak in the first place. Long gone are those days of great horror films and here to stay are the days of poorly structured horror films that have to glorify bloodshed… that is until now with the release of Elisabeth Fies' The Commune; an independent horror film that is reminiscent of the fantastically structured horror films of old.

The Commune is about a 15 year old girl named Jenny Cross (Chauntal Lewis) who, because of a lawsuit, is sent to live with her father, Dr. Polieos (Stuart G. Bennett), for a month on his hippie compound. As the days pass, Jenny spends most of her time counting down the days until her 16th birthday and trying to figure out what she's going to do for entertainment for a month. Luckily, Jenny meets a guy named Puck (David Lago), who seems to help Jenny get some enjoyment back into her life. Jenny starts believing that, because of Puck, her time at the commune won't be so bad after all… but then some freaky things start happening and Jenny has to figure out a way to get out of there or become just another victim.

Aside from some rough spots with the supporting characters, the acting in the film is pretty solid. Chauntal Lewis is great as Jenny. Lewis is essentially this film's "final girl"… the part in a horror film that you are supposed to connect with, care for and hope that she can find a way to overcome the odds… and manages to pull it off without a hitch. Because of Lewis' performance, Stuart G. Bennett is able to feed off of her and delivers a performance that is beyond creepy; something Bennett seems to have enjoyed a tad bit too much. Lago as Puck does a fine job with his part; that of Jenny's love interest, which would bore people to tears in other movies, but works here. When you first see him in the movie and notice that he's sporting black nail polish and eye liner, you want to punch him in the face, but as the film progresses, you see that the character is actually a likable guy and you don't want to hit him as much.

Elisabeth Fies, who not only directed the film but also wrote it, produced it and played a part in it as well, may actually be the film's shining star. With The Commune, Fies crafts a film that has the perfect amount of tension needed for the story and is able to disturb viewers to the point that it will make them cringe, but will keep them so wrapped up in the story that they won't want to turn it off. Oh, but that isn't the best part. The best part is that The Commune is Fies' first film. To be ambitious enough to put together a film that looks this great and shows that she has the potential to put many Hollywood directors to shame is a feat that is just phenomenal. Hopefully any movie she makes in the future turn out this good.

For those of you who like horror films from the past, you will most likely want to check out Elisabeth Fies' The Commune. It's a nicely structured film that creates the perfect amount of tension and doesn't rely on any unnecessary gimmicks. It is good to see that there are ambitious people out there that are willing to spend their own money to get a film that they want to see made.

The Wicker Man Meets Rosemary's Baby

[jcorty28 · 8/10 · 30 March 2010]

The Commune is a film with a vast array of themes: sexual discovery, what it means to be a woman and, subsequently, come of age. But the film also deals with the loss of innocence and how those in power, namely your parental figures, can abuse it for their own self-serving needs. Overall, the film delivers in a way that recalls the slow burn of films like The Wicker Man and Rosemary's Baby. And along with it, comes a stellar building of tension and atmosphere.

Our story starts with a young girl named Jennifer. Fresh out of school for the summer break, she's forced to spend time with her fairly non-existent father. You see, her parents divorced when she was little and her dad left and started a new age-y type of commune with a group of followers.

From the time she first arrives, an eerie sense of foreboding permeates. As the film evolves and the creepy on screen antics of the characters escalate, Jennifer discovers that her father has been hiding a lot more than she thought. This coupled with a scene in which the father subtly makes a pass, your are led to believe that he has less than favorable intentions for his daughter. After a few childhood flashbacks and a revelation that the daughter is not as pure as originally thought, we are brought to a shocking and brutal climax to our film.

The Commune is a fine first effort from filmmaker Elisabeth Fies. The film truly lives up to its tag line: 'Every Girl's Worst Fear.'

A sixteen year old girl is sent to live with her estranged father at his commune where he is the leader of a group of zealots.

[headcheese66 · 17 May 2012]

This psychological, slow burn filmed in eighteen days really took me by surprise. It is darkly sinister and yet very engaging. Reality horror is what is given to us via this tale of ultimate betrayal. Still, I was not expecting such a well-written film. The story really gets under your skin, especially for victims of abuse and molestation whether done by a cult, a family member or any other abuser. Abuse of children in any form is one scary reality indeed. Blind followers are another aspect of reality in this horror film, and yes, this is indeed a horror film. This kind of film I find scary in its stark reality. Not a gore film so gore- hounds need not apply here but if you enjoy psychological terror then this should do the trick for you. This film sets up boundaries and then crosses them. It's creepy, mean and it leaves you with a steel-toed kick to the gut in the end. Gorgeously filmed in a tropical setting with wonderful music and sounds of peacocks crying in the background. The colors and look lull the viewer into a tranquil, hypnotic state only to jar your brain with the sinister goings on of The Commune. Check it out!

Give this film a shot...Elisabeth Fies has talent..

[james_depaolo · 7/10 · 9 June 2012]

Plot-this is a Greek tragedy mixed with a 70′s sexual thriller. This movie centers on the summer of Jenny's 16th birthday. Her mom wants her to spend some time with her deadbeat father in his commune. Jenny does not want to go or be part of her dad's life. Once she gets to the commune she starts to see things that disturb her, and does not know who is who.

Review-Elisabeth Fies is in the movie, and even does a nude scene. I am not sure if this is a first, the director being the only person to go nude but I had to mention this because for a film like this it is a brave move. The beginning of the movie has a disturbing scene, which I will not talk about but tell you guys it sells the film and what it will offer you. The movie does a great job of explaining how we get to certain parts of this film, in almost a way that would make Hitchcock smile. This movie is a very slow build, but the script is pretty good and keeps you the viewer involved and your attention, and the characters are not boring or one sided, that you question each one, and not sure who to follow or believe in. This film created paranoia about it that you feel like you are watching a very head scratching episode of the Twilight Zone. The movie has a few scenes that really are creepily awesome and very well done for a small budget indie, and for that the acting deserves so much respect. This is what M Night should have put out instead of the shitty Village, and it is sad to watch this film and know that if they had a much bigger budget what could have come out of it. Films like this make me question what Hollywood is putting their money into these days, and what they are ignoring. This movie is impressive if you think about the budget, and also you can see Elisabeth's heart and passion all over this film. This is not a typical horror movie as it is a thriller that would be good to show someone who wants mood over blood and a movie to make them think scene to scene and catches you on surprise as well. I also want to point out the bonus features that there was a lot of work put into them. And Elisabeth really shines throughout. I am impressed with Fies talent and thinks she has a bright future. Hollywood give this woman a budget and let's see what she can give us next. Plus any director who will do her own nude scenes and really go outside the box with her performance deserves a break.

The typical horror fan may or may not like this film; it depends on their attention span. If you can sit thru a film and can invest into a slow build and know that the payoff will be worth it, this is a film for you.

7 out of 10

Also, I want to tell the fans to keep Chauntal Lew is in their prayers.

A few years ago, the lead actress of this film lost her hand and is recovering day by day

A great, true indie movie

[jfaerber · 8/10 · 31 March 2010]

First, I'm not even sure if I should call this movie a "horror" movie. Yes, it involves a few horrible acts, but when I think of a "horror" movie -- especially by today's standards -- I picture some PG-13 crap with a bunch of teenagers running away from an unstoppable killer for 90 minutes.

This isn't that kind of movie, not by a long shot.

And when I say it's an indie film, I don't mean it's indie compared to Transformers 2. I mean it's indie in the truest sense of the word. It appears to have been created by a bunch of like-minded people motivated by their love of movies and devotion to the story they wanted to tell, not by profit.

I have no idea what the budget was for this movie, but I'm guessing it was pretty small. And yet that doesn't come across on film. It's a "small" movie, in that there aren't a lot of locations and the cast is small and there aren't any special effects. But it never feels like a "cheap" movie. It's well-shot, the sound is good, and the music was particularly strong.

The story involves Jenny (don't call her Jen!), a 16-year old girl forced to spend time with her estranged father as part of a custody agreement. Her father's some kind of hippie guru and lives in a weird commune. Jenny arrives at the commune and we initially get a lot of fish-out-of-water / culture clash humor. But the humor's offset nicely by an undercurrent of creepiness to everything.

Jenny soon meets Puck, a kid who lives in the nearby town. They strike up a friendship, and spend more and more time with each other as Jenny is continually creeped out at the commune.

I won't spoil the rest of the film. As I said before, it's not what I'd call a "horror" film, per se. Maybe more of a psychological thriller. But it's also got strong elements of black comedy. It's my kind of movie, in that it slides quite comfortably back and forth between genres.

I found the high point of the film to be at the beginning of the third act, in a prolonged scene between Jenny and Puck. Elisabeth Fies, the writer / director / co-star, establishes a really intimate, genuine, raw moment between her two characters.

If you're in the mood for something different, and want to support truly independent filmmakers, check out The Commune.

A good, slow creep that holds its own against the original Wicker Man

[nkkingston · 9/10 · 27 October 2010]

I first saw this at the Bram Stoker Film Festival, where it won "Best International Feature", and purchased the DVD there (which speaks for itself). It stands up brilliantly to a second viewing, I have to say, and works as well on the small screen as on the big.

The Commune is a good, slow creep in the manner of The Wicker Man, the subject area well researched so that little bits peek through in ways the audience might not always appreciate on a first viewing. It's one of those films where the more you know about the setting the more frightening it is, unlike a lot of horror flicks. The intense colour palette gives it a dissonant quality that enhances the unsettling feeling the film inspires. I feel the climax could have been a little bigger in terms of set pieces, but as it stands it does give the film a more personal feeling.

Go see this movie

[bill-1032 · 9/10 · 11 October 2010]

A cutting edge, well structured homage to a 1970's cinematic feel and tone. Well directed, well acted. A taunt psychological thriller and a very important film. This film is a liberation and a testimony to the fact that there is art left in cinema today.Elisbeth Fies shows a rare cinematic deftness and skill. The film is lush and full of character detail and thought. The plot line is a journey into a dark psychological depth and will an amazing execution. We will be see much more of MS Fies in the future we hope.

Elisabeth received the award for Best Emerging Filmmaker this year at The B Movie Celebration.

Dare to drink this Kool-Aid!

[deviantpix · 2 August 2010]

The Commune, like its lovely heroine, is between a rock and a hard place in a world of delusional, narcissists. It doesn't fit neatly into some prepackaged genre category that Pod People can easily consume sans participation or reflection. This film is an experience best accompanied by active thought and post-viewing discussion. Michael Bay fans may wanna stay clear.

That said, one would not be wrong to call it a horror film. Like Wicker Man (as many before me have aptly referenced) and many of Polanski's darker films, it ventures into territory far too horrific to suggest it is any other genre. However, the movie I watched was more of a post-modern "coming-of-age" turns "psycho-drama" with speckles of dark humor and surrealism inter-woven throughout. Part Alan Ball, part Samuel Fuller, and a whole lot of the delightfully twisted Lis Fies, The Commune is a wonderful achievement in making a low budget look high, making human ugliness look gorgeous, and making us leave the theater with that same sick feeling in the pit of our stomachs as did American Beauty, Happiness, Blue Velvet and Stepford Wives (the original, that is). The Commune reminds us that while life might sometimes appear to be in pretty Technicolor on the outside, one must never forget to look below the surface where the scariest monsters most often reside.

Kudos to any independent filmmaker who strives for intelligence as well as artistry, without being held back by limited budgets. Double kudos to Lis Fies for succeeding.