- S: Although the story is insane, it is told in a way that justifies the characters' actions. However, a choice to take pictures of a sacred text feels strange particularly given what the person sees in the room and the person that meets him in that room is doing something very curious that is not noted at any other time in the film.
- C: The hallucination and drug visuals are amazing. Costuming is simple but excellent because it easily distinguishes the two groups of people. The sets are incredible, with all the
drawn details on the walls. Shot choices are so excellent, because they are beautiful but also because they convey a feeling and a meaning in the story: an upside down shot of a car traveling on a road,
a shot of a woman at the top of a cliff, a dream sequence, the shots of the dancing contest, and the fiery ending. Only negative, and this is a very nit-picky critique, but some of the props, particularly some stone props, look cheap/fake.
- E: Top tier acting, great framing, pacing, unbelievable visuals, all wrapped in an incredible energetic score make this an unbelievably good watch.
- N: Dark, horrifying, mystical, and spiritual. The story grips you from the start and doesn't let go. The film starts in this very traditional, what we might call "real-world", and
slowly pushes you into this cultish, surreal world. You can almost feel the values of the story and your values viewing it change as you and the characters become acquainted, and indoctrinated,
in this new world.
- T: The film received all five possible bonus points: One for Florence Pugh's undeniably good performance, particularly her long shot phone call at the beginning and the end sequence,
one for an amazing opening sequence, one for the visuals of the drug induced states, one for an amazing score, and one for a jaw-dropping end sequence. I honestly feel like I could award this film
ten bonus points for all the amazing scenes this film has.
I think this is one of the best movies ever made. Every time I see it, the last 10 minutes are jaw-dropping. It's a near perfect combination of story, visuals, and sound that
you can feel throughout your whole body. There aren't very many films that give me tingles every time I watch.
Number of Watches: 4
