Followed is a horror-thriller movie that was released in 2018, directed by Antoine Le and produced by Matthew Ryan Brewbaker, followed by Jarrett Furst, George J. Vezina, and Todd Wiseman Jr. The film is a found-footage style horror movie that combines a compelling storyline with jump scares and gore to create a terrifying and unsettling atmosphere.
The film follows the story of a social media influencer named Mike who decides to live-stream himself and his friends on a trip to Los Angeles in order to increase his follower count. However, this seemingly simple journey quickly turns into a nightmare when the group checks into the Hotel Lennox, a notorious location for murders and disappearances.
Mike, who is played by Matthew Solomon, is initially excited about the prospect of staying in a creepy haunted hotel and even encourages his followers to tune in for some excitement. He is joined on his trip by his girlfriend, Nic, played by Sam Valentine, as well as two other friends, Chris and Danni, played by Tim Drier and Caitlin Grace.
As they begin their stay at the hotel, Mike and his friends start to notice strange occurrences happening around them. They find ominous messages written in blood on the walls of the hotel and hear strange noises coming from the hallway. Even more disturbing is the fact that they are being followed by a mysterious man who seems to have a dark and violent agenda.
The movie takes its time to set up the atmosphere, using lingering shots of the abandoned hotel and the surrounding areas to create an eerie and unsettling feeling. The group's slow descent into madness is depicted through Mike's live streams, which capture the escalating tension and paranoia that is consuming them all. He continues to film even as things take a dark turn, capturing the horrors that unfold before them.
One of the most interesting aspects of the movie is the way it plays with expectations. Initially, it seems as though the group is being haunted by a supernatural entity, but as the story progresses it becomes increasingly clear that the real horror is coming from human sources. As Mike and his friends delve deeper into the mysteries of the Lennox, they discover a history of violence and depravity that has been covered up for years.
The performances in the movie are solid, with Matthew Solomon in particular capturing the arrogance and narcissism of a social media influencer. Sam Valentine is also effective as Nic, bringing a sense of vulnerability to her character that makes her sympathetic even as she is increasingly placed in danger. John Savage is another standout, playing a mysterious figure who is integral to the story's shocking conclusion.
The film's use of found footage is also worth noting. While this technique has been overused in horror movies, Followed manages to use it in an effective and engaging way. The camera work is never too shaky, and the footage feels authentic and realistic. The use of Mike's live streams to provide information to the viewer is clever and helps to keep the tension high throughout the film.
Overall, Followed is a well-executed horror-thriller that is sure to entertain fans of the genre. Its emphasis on atmosphere and tension makes it a standout movie, and the performances of the cast help to bring the story to life. It may not be a perfect movie, but it is a solid entry into the found-footage horror canon that is definitely worth checking out.
Followed is a 2020 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.
