Follow

Follow is a captivating drama, thriller, and horror movie that was released in the year 2015. It is directed by Owen Egerton and boasts an outstanding ensemble cast including Haley Lu Richardson who plays the role of Haley, Noah Segan playing the role of Quinn, and Don Most in the character of Freddie.

Set in Austin, Texas, this dark movie opens up a new perspective to thrillers, brewing a unique blend of horror, suspense, and psychological drama. With a plot characterized by dark humor and unpredictable turns, it's bound to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Follow revolves around the life of Quinn, a struggling artist who moonlights as a bartender, played passionately by Noah Segan. Living an unfulfilled and monotonous life, Quinn currently shares his life with his longtime girlfriend Thana, brilliantly portrayed by Olivia Grace Applegate. Thana's mundane middle-class life and Quin's static life take an abrupt and terrifying turn when Quinn wakes up one day with a revolver in his hand and his girlfriend dead by his side. It is an intense beginning that sets the tone for the rest of the movie.

Over the course of the movie, the audience is walked through the aftermath of this catastrophic event. Quinn is at a crossroads. He doesn't remember what happened and is consumed by guilt, fear, and an unnerving uncertainty about his sanity. Meanwhile, Haley, played by Haley Lu Richardson, tries to unpick the foreboding mystery surrounding the incident and forms an integral part of Quinn's chaotic reality. Don Most as Freddie adds another layer to the story, the details of which would be an unwelcome spoiler.

Noah Segan delivers a powerful, harrowing yet engaging performance as the disturbed Quinn who spends his time untangling his own mind while facing the gloomy reality of his situation. His dilemma about whether it's reality or his troubled mind playing tricks on him strings together a complex web of suspense and fear that keeps the audience captivated till the very end.

On the other hand, Haley Lu Richardson's performance as Haley is one of her most riveting performances yet, where she balances multiple roles of being a friend, a confidante, and someone who's trying to make sense of the shocking mystery.

The movie is marked by Egerton’s incredible direction and rich storytelling. It is perfectly paced, ensuring that each scene builds up progressively to the movie's climax, interspersed with random pieces from Quin's mind, throwing viewers into the abyss of his madness. The movie's cinematography is a treat for the eyes, where each shot is thoughtfully composed to enhance the thrill and suspense.

Another significant contributor to the movie’s magnetic pull is the ingenious screenplay. The element of foreshadowing has been employed brilliantly to keep the audience predicting the next move. Egerton completely changes the horror thriller game employing his sharp writing skills, throwing in dark humor at unexpected points, and churning out dialogue that sets a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere.

The production design adds to the overall eerie and distressing atmosphere in the movie. The compact setting amplifies the sense of claustrophobia, reflecting Quinn's mental state and escalating the overall tension. The sound design and music score are distinctive, adding to the movie’s growing sense of dread and horror.

Follow holds a mirror to mental illness and the horrifying spiral it can lead one into, thereby exploring the darker side of the mind in a way that is rarely touched upon in movies. It's a horror movie not merely by its shocking visuals but by the terrifying journey it takes one through the human psyche, making it an instant classic in the psychological horror genre.

In conclusion, Follow is a dark and thought-provoking thriller that brings a fresh twist to the genre. It is an unsettling exploration of the human mind, and its inherent abilities to tip over the edge into madness when confronted with a reality it cannot compute. It succeeds in delivering an original and sophisticated spin on the psychological-horror sub-genre with an intense plot that does not shy away from burrowing deep into dark territories. Yet at the same time, it manages to carry an undercurrent of dark humor, softening the severity of the subject matter, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.