I usually wouldn't watch something with a score below 5.2. This is currently at 4.9. But I took a chance and I'm glad! I'm fully convinced that the score comes down to the subject matter being divisive rather than the actual quality of filmmaking. No, conservatives probably won't like this. But frankly, there's misery for everyone involved by the end. It's feel-bad all around.
This might appeal to you if you enjoy movies like Soft & Quiet or Nothing Bad Can Happen. It's definitely not as harrowing a watch as those are, but it's more intense than average. There's gore but it's not a slasher by any means. Maybe a little Saint Maud-esque. Or Red State without all the action scenes. It feels like it tries to walk a line between reasonably palatable average thriller and something a bit more brutal and imaginative, and I think it could have been so much more if it had ventured a little further out.
The villains could have used a bit more fleshing out. If this movie had been given even ten more minutes, I think further developing the characters would have gone a long way.
This is a pretty decent looking film. It seems to have been done on a relatively low budget, but it was done well. The gory bits were surprisingly good, better than in many many high budget films I've seen. The acting was a mixed bag, but overall good enough to keep the movie going without any major speed bumps.
I think overall, the cast of this film just strike me as needing more experience. I'd definitely watch more by this director & screenwriter. There's so much potential there! But as for this movie, I'd still recommend it! As long as you aren't offended by themes of abortion & critique of religious fanaticism (extremists, not all religious folks).
