Dive deep into the unnerving world of David Robert Mitchell’s 2014 horror hit, “It Follows,” with Reginald Titus Jr. and Casey G. Smith on Filmmaker Commentary. This episode dissects the critically acclaimed film, praised for its unique take on the slasher genre and its chilling, slow-burn atmosphere. Unpack the clever filmmaking choices that made “It Follows” a standout, from its dreamlike cinematography to its iconic synth score.
The hosts explore the film’s pervasive themes of coming of age, paranoia, and its potent metaphor for sexually transmitted curses. They discuss the director’s deliberate choice to leave the entity’s origins ambiguous, allowing the audience to fill in the terrifying blanks. If you love a horror film that challenges convention and lingers long after the credits roll, this is an essential listen.
What We Cover
- The critical reception of “It Follows” and its enduring impact on modern horror cinema.
- David Robert Mitchell’s distinctive “slow-burn” directorial style and the film’s evocative, dreamlike cinematography.
- Exploration of the movie’s central themes, including sexual anxieties, paranoia, and the powerful metaphor of a transmitted curse.
- Disasterpeace’s influential, John Carpenter-inspired synth score and its role in building suspense.
- The film’s deliberate ambiguity regarding the entity’s origins and rules, inviting audience interpretation.
- The director’s perspective on crafting the film as a nightmare, designed to be unexplained and timeless.
Key Moments
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[0:54] Budget & Box Office Reveal: Reginald and Casey G. Smith share the surprising financial success of “It Follows,” detailing its modest budget and impressive worldwide earnings.
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[3:09] A Masterpiece of Modern Horror: The hosts examine the film’s high praise from critics, highlighting its subversion of slasher tropes and its deeply unsettling narrative style.
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[2:05:00] Cinematic Craftsmanship: A close look at the film’s unique visual language, including its deliberate panning shots, and the integral role of Disasterpeace’s sound design in creating dread.
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[3:55:00] Unpacking Deeper Themes: Discussion shifts to the nuanced layers of “It Follows,” from its reflections on adolescence to its commentary on social anxieties and the consequences of intimacy on Filmmaker Commentary.
