Initiation is a horror-thriller film released in 2020 directed by John Berardo. The movie is about the horrific death of a college student who was raped and murdered at a fraternity party. The story reflects on the issues of rape culture in colleges and universities in the United States. The film follows the story of a group of college students and their experiences in the aftermath of the tragedy. The lead character, Ellery (Lindsay LaVanchy), is a fashion student and a member of the Kappa Nu sorority who has been assigned to cover the tragedy for her university newspaper. Ellery is determined to find the truth about what happened that night and to bring justice to the victim.
Meanwhile, Ellery's boyfriend, Wes (Froy Gutierrez), is a member of the Delta Phi fraternity. He is caught between being loyal to his brothers and supporting Ellery in her quest for justice. Isabella Gomez plays Elleryâs best friend, who is struggling with the same kind of issues as the victim and is thus affected by the tragedy.
As Ellery starts investigating the night of the murder, things start getting more dangerous for her and her friends. She discovers that some of the people she trusted are not what they seem, and they may be the ones responsible for the crime. The film thus becomes a pulse-pounding, edge-of-your-seat thriller as Ellery gets closer and closer to the truth.
One of the things that sets Initiation apart from other horror thrillers is its message about rape culture in universities. The movie takes a stand against the culture of victim-blaming and the normalization of sexual assault in the college party scene. It delivers an important message that needs more attention in society today.
The film uses various forms of media like social media, chat messages, and news coverage to help the audience understand the story, and also to reflect how young people communicate and consume information today. The use of technology and media adds to the realism of the film and keeps the story engaging and relevant.
The movie also features some impressive cinematography, with beautiful shots of the university campus and some creative camera angles. The soundtrack is also quite impressive and adds to the overall suspense of the film.
Initiation is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with moments of fear, anger, and sadness. The character development is excellent, and the actors are able to portray their roles with a lot of authenticity. Lindsay LaVanchy, who plays the lead character Ellery, does an excellent job of carrying the film on her shoulders.
However, the film does have its weaknesses. Some of the jump scares feel forced and predictable, and the climax feels a little underwhelming compared to the buildup. The movie also touches on several themes and subplots, but not all of them are fully fleshed out.
Overall, Initiation is a well-made horror-thriller that tackles an important social issue. It features great performances from its cast, beautiful cinematography, and a compelling storyline that will keep the audience engaged till the end. The film leaves us with a message of hope and the promise of a better future for all.
Initiation is a 2021 horror movie.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.
