It Follows: A Cinemorgue Entry into Suburban Horror
Introduction
Horror cinema, at its most potent, isn’t merely about startling audiences with jump scares or showering them in gore. True horror burrows into the subconscious, leaving an unsettling residue long after the credits roll. This is the domain of the Cinemorgue: a mental archive of films and scenes so profoundly disturbing, so viscerally unnerving, that they become permanently etched in our memories. These are the films that explore the darkest corners of the human psyche, leaving viewers grappling with lingering dread. Among these cinematic nightmares, one film stands out for its unique blend of dread, symbolism, and chilling atmosphere: It Follows.
Released in , It Follows quickly garnered critical acclaim and a devoted following. Its premise, a sexually transmitted demonic entity that relentlessly pursues its victims, is both simple and deeply unsettling. The film’s success lies not in cheap thrills but in its masterful creation of a pervasive sense of unease and its exploration of themes that resonate with our deepest fears. This article argues that It Follows rightfully earns its place in the Cinemorgue due to its masterful manipulation of unrelenting dread, its unsettling atmosphere that bleeds into the everyday, and its profound commentary on anxiety, mortality, and the pervasive fear of the unknown. It isn’t just a horror film; it’s a chilling meditation on the vulnerabilities that lie beneath the surface of our seemingly safe suburban lives, securing its position as an It Follows Cinemorgue entry.
The Unrelenting Dread of It Follows
The success of It Follows hinges on its ability to cultivate a constant state of dread. Unlike many modern horror films that rely on sudden, jarring scares, It Follows builds its terror slowly and methodically, creating a sense of inescapable doom. This relentless pursuit is the film’s most defining characteristic and a key component in its contribution to the It Follows Cinemorgue.
The entity, referred to simply as “It,” moves at a deliberate, unhurried pace. It never runs, it never teleports; it simply walks, steadily and inexorably, toward its victim. This slow, constant advance is far more terrifying than any sudden attack. The victims, and the audience, know that it is always coming, and there is no true escape. This is demonstrated in numerous scenes where the entity is visible in the far background, slowly approaching. The film often uses wide shots, emphasizing the distance between the victim and the approaching figure, amplifying the feeling of helplessness.
Imagine the scene at the high school, where Jay is trying to concentrate, but notices the strange man walking across the field. The dread is palpable, as is the audience’s anxiety as they, along with Jay, know what is coming. Another prime example is the beach scene, where the characters are relaxing, only to see a figure emerge in the distance, walking purposefully towards them. These moments exemplify the film’s success in creating a constant, underlying tension. The unwavering pursuit taps into our primal fear of being hunted, a fear that resonates deep within our subconscious. This constant, slow burn of terror is what elevates It Follows above typical horror fare and firmly establishes it as a worthy addition to any It Follows Cinemorgue discussion.
The Unseen and the Unexplained
Adding to the pervasive sense of dread is the ambiguity surrounding the entity itself. We never learn its true nature, its origins, or its ultimate motives. This lack of explanation is not a weakness; it is a deliberate choice that enhances the film’s unsettling atmosphere. The entity takes on various forms, often appearing as seemingly ordinary people, but with a subtle, unsettling quality. This makes it impossible to truly relax, as anyone could potentially be the next vessel for the pursuing entity.
The film intentionally withholds information, leaving the audience to fill in the blanks with their own anxieties and fears. This is a hallmark of effective psychological horror. We are left to wonder what “It” truly is, what it wants, and why it chooses its victims. The lack of definitive answers only deepens the sense of unease and contributes to the film’s lasting impact. This is why It Follows isn’t just a scary movie you watch once; it’s a film that lingers, provoking questions and anxieties long after the screen fades to black. This makes it a staple of the It Follows Cinemorgue, a place reserved for films that haunt the viewer long after viewing.
Suburban Decay as a Horror Landscape
It Follows masterfully uses its suburban setting to amplify the horror. The film takes place in a seemingly ordinary American suburb, a place of comfortable homes, familiar streets, and everyday routines. This stark contrast between the mundane and the macabre is what makes the film so effective. The intrusion of the supernatural into this familiar environment makes the threat feel more real, more relatable, and ultimately, more terrifying.
The horror doesn’t unfold in a haunted mansion or a remote forest; it happens in the places where we feel safest: our homes, our schools, our neighborhoods. This deliberate juxtaposition of the ordinary and the extraordinary creates a sense of cognitive dissonance, leaving the audience deeply unsettled. The use of desolate, almost abandoned locations within the suburban landscape further enhances the feeling of unease. The dilapidated buildings, the empty streets, and the sense of urban decay create an atmosphere of isolation and vulnerability. This setting becomes a character in itself, contributing significantly to the film’s overall sense of dread. The ordinary backdrop allows the extraordinary horror to feel more pervasive and more plausible, solidifying its place as an unsettling piece of the It Follows Cinemorgue.
Anxiety, Mortality, and the Transmission of Trauma
Beyond its surface-level scares, It Follows delves into deeper thematic territory, exploring anxieties surrounding sexuality, mortality, and the transmission of trauma. The sexually transmitted nature of the entity serves as a powerful metaphor for the consequences of sexual activity and the potential for harm. The film can be interpreted as an exploration of the fears and anxieties surrounding STIs and the burden of responsibility that comes with sexual intimacy.
The entity can also be seen as a representation of the fear of death and the inevitability of time. The relentless pursuit of “It” mirrors the constant, underlying awareness of our own mortality. The feeling of being hunted by an unseen force taps into our primal fear of the unknown and the anxieties surrounding the end of life. Further, the film deals with loss of innocence, as the main characters are thrown into the world of the supernatural with little warning. They are forced to grapple with decisions that will forever change their lives, losing their youthful innocence in the process. By confronting these universal fears, It Follows resonates with audiences on a deeper, more psychological level, cementing its position within the It Follows Cinemorgue.
Cinematic Techniques of Terror
The film’s effectiveness is further enhanced by its masterful use of cinematic techniques. The unsettling electronic score, composed by Disasterpeace, creates a constant sense of unease and anticipation. The music is dissonant and jarring, never providing a moment of comfort or reassurance. It is a key element in establishing the film’s unique atmosphere of dread.
The long takes and wide shots contribute to the feeling of isolation and vulnerability. The camera often lingers on empty spaces, creating a sense of unease and suggesting the presence of something unseen. These techniques allow the audience to scan the frame, searching for the entity, and amplifying the tension. The deliberate pacing of the film, combined with these visual techniques, allows the dread to build slowly and methodically, creating a truly unsettling experience. The muted color palette and somber cinematography add to the film’s overall atmosphere of gloom and despair, further enhancing its unsettling effect. These techniques, working in harmony, are crucial to the film’s success and underscore its status as a chilling entry in the It Follows Cinemorgue.
The Lasting Resonance of It Follows
It Follows has remained a relevant and talked-about horror film since its release, influencing other horror films and sparking countless discussions about its themes and interpretations. It stands apart from many mainstream horror films that rely on jump scares and gore, instead prioritizing psychological horror and the creation of lasting dread.
The film’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to tap into our deepest fears and anxieties. It is not simply a scary movie; it is a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. It explores the very real anxieties that exist in our society and projects those anxieties onto a supernatural being. Its lasting impact is a testament to its artistry and its ability to resonate with audiences on a profound level. It Follows is a significant contribution to the modern horror landscape, pushing the boundaries of the genre and demonstrating the power of psychological horror. The film’s legacy will continue to grow as audiences discover its unique blend of dread, symbolism, and chilling atmosphere, ensuring its permanent residence in the It Follows Cinemorgue.
Conclusion
It Follows is more than just a horror film; it is a chilling meditation on anxiety, mortality, and the pervasive fear of the unknown. Its masterful manipulation of unrelenting dread, its unsettling atmosphere, and its profound commentary on the human condition have earned it a rightful place in the Cinemorgue. The film’s slow-burn terror, ambiguous entity, and stark suburban setting combine to create a uniquely unsettling experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
It Follows reminds us that the true horrors are often not the monsters we see on screen, but the anxieties and fears that lie hidden beneath the surface of our everyday lives. Its exploration of trauma, sexuality, and mortality resonates deeply with audiences, making it a truly unforgettable cinematic experience. It is a film that stays with you, prompting reflection and leaving you with a lingering sense of unease, ultimately solidifying its status as a chilling and unforgettable entry into the It Follows Cinemorgue, a testament to the power of intelligent and atmospheric horror. The film’s success is a reminder that sometimes, the scariest things are the things we can’t quite see, the fears we can’t quite name, and the anxieties that relentlessly pursue us from the shadows.
