Reviews: It Follows (2014) Movie Review / Ending Explained / FAQs
Subgenres: Supernatural, Survival, Cursed, Featured Teens, Stalker, Teens
Horror fans searching for a breakdown of It Follows (2014) will find our review covers the plot, themes, and the shocking ending everyone talks about.
It Follows (2014) – A Haunting Slow-Burn That Redefines Modern Psychological Horror
It Follows (2014) is a masterfully unsettling horror film that reimagines fear not as a sudden jolt—but as an ever-present, creeping dread. Directed by David Robert Mitchell, this genre-bending indie thriller strips horror down to its purest form: something slow, patient, and inevitable. With a unique premise, timeless visual style, and pulse-pounding suspense, It Follows crafts an experience that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.
When Something Is Always Coming, Can You Ever Truly Escape?
Anchored by a standout performance from Maika Monroe, the film blends minimalist storytelling with dreamlike aesthetics to explore deeper anxieties about adolescence, vulnerability, and mortality. This is horror that crawls under your skin and stays there—quiet, eerie, and unforgettable.
Plot, Themes, and Psychological Layers
The story centers on Jay, a teenager who experiences a chilling encounter after a romantic evening with a new partner. She learns that she’s now being followed by a supernatural entity—one that moves slowly but relentlessly. The only way to pass it on is to sleep with someone else, and even then, if that person dies, the curse returns.
What makes this terrifying force so effective is its simplicity. It can take any form, including those of people you know. It never runs. It never talks. It only walks toward you—with absolute intent.
Themes of guilt, fear of intimacy, and the inescapable nature of death permeate the narrative. The monster in It Follows isn’t just a horror device—it’s a metaphor for consequences, trauma, and the weight of invisible burdens. It represents how danger can feel both impersonal and deeply personal—never loud, but always near.
Cinematography, Visual Tone, and Sound Design
Visually, the film is striking. The use of wide shots and long takes amplifies the tension, making audiences scan every frame, waiting for a figure to slowly emerge. The color palette is muted, giving the film a timeless, surreal quality—as though it exists outside any specific era.
The sound design is equally vital to its success. The synth-heavy score builds unease in subtle layers, evoking both nostalgia and dread. Silence is used with expert precision, forcing the viewer to focus on the space around each character. The soundscape feels alive—constantly alerting us that something is wrong, even when nothing moves.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
David Robert Mitchell’s direction is restrained yet deliberate. He resists jump scares in favor of creeping tension. Every movement, cut, and pause serves a purpose. The film plays like a nightmare where logic bends and escape seems impossible—not because of speed, but because of inevitability.
Strengths:
An original, minimalist concept that reinvents fear
Unrelenting suspense built from silence and pacing
Haunting, retro-inspired score that heightens dread
Subtle visual storytelling with symbolic layers
Strong central performance from Maika Monroe
Weaknesses:
Ambiguity in the origin of the curse may frustrate some viewers
Pacing may feel too slow for fans of traditional horror
Minimal backstory or resolution
Secondary characters lack depth compared to the lead
Open-ended narrative leaves questions unanswered
Final Verdict & Score: 7/10
It Follows earns a 7 out of 10, weighted heavily toward its IMDb score, reflecting strong audience approval paired with a measured appreciation for its slow-burn style. The film delivers a chilling, high-concept horror story that trades spectacle for slow-building terror. It’s as much about atmosphere and emotion as it is about fear—making it a standout in the modern horror landscape.
Who Will Enjoy It
Fans of psychological and atmospheric horror
Viewers drawn to slow-building suspense over fast-paced thrills
Audiences who enjoy metaphorical or symbolic storytelling
Those who appreciate unique, non-traditional monster concepts
Horror fans looking for fresh, minimalist ideas
Who Might Be Disappointed
Viewers seeking clear explanations or closure
Audiences looking for gore or action-heavy horror
Those who prefer faster pacing or frequent scares
Fans who dislike open-ended interpretations
Casual viewers expecting a typical creature-feature
Most Searched FAQs About It Follows (2014)
What is the creature in It Follows?
The entity in It Follows is never named or explained in full, adding to its unsettling presence. It appears as a supernatural force that can take on the form of any person—sometimes familiar, sometimes unknown. Its goal is singular: follow and eventually eliminate the current cursed individual. It cannot be bargained with or outrun forever.
How do you get the curse in It Follows?
The curse is transmitted through physical intimacy. Once someone passes it on to another person, the entity begins following the new host. However, if the entity catches and eliminates them, it reverts to targeting the previous individual in the chain.
Can the creature be killed?
The movie never confirms whether the creature can be permanently destroyed. Jay and her friends attempt to trap and injure it, but despite visible blood and impact, the entity continues its pursuit. Its resistance to harm suggests that it’s beyond normal physical limitations.
Why does the creature move slowly?
The slow pace of the entity adds to its horror. It’s not in a rush—it always walks, never runs, which emphasizes its inevitability. You can run, but you’ll eventually tire. It never does. The pacing reinforces the idea of inescapable consequences always creeping up behind you.
Why does the entity sometimes appear as people the victim knows?
The entity takes forms that may psychologically impact its target, whether it’s a loved one, stranger, or someone traumatic from their past. This tactic deepens the fear and confusion, making each appearance emotionally as well as physically threatening.
What do the red lighting and retro styling mean?
The film intentionally uses an ambiguous timeline, blending elements from different decades. The retro visuals and sound design contribute to a dreamlike, surreal atmosphere—making the setting feel unanchored in reality. This enhances the psychological unease.
Is It Follows a metaphor?
Yes. While the threat is literal within the story, many interpret the curse as a metaphor for guilt, trauma, or fear of growing up and facing mortality. The passing of the curse mimics the emotional weight of irreversible life choices and consequences.
Why doesn’t anyone else see the creature?
Only those who carry the curse—or have previously carried it—can see the entity. This isolates the victim, intensifying their paranoia and helplessness. It also symbolizes how some struggles are deeply personal and invisible to the outside world.
Is Jay infected at the end of the movie?
Yes, Jay still carries the curse at the film’s conclusion. Though she passed it to another person in hopes of safety, there’s no guarantee that person survives. The final shot hints that the creature may still be following—quietly, in the background.
What’s the significance of water throughout the film?
Water recurs as a visual motif. From the lake to the pool, it reflects themes of rebirth, fear, and vulnerability. Jay’s encounters with water often occur during moments of exposure or attempted cleansing, highlighting her emotional state.
It Follows (2014) – Ending Explained
In the final sequence, Jay and Paul devise a plan to lure the entity into an abandoned indoor pool and electrocute it. Despite their efforts, the creature proves resilient. Jay is able to escape, and Paul soon offers himself as the next recipient of the curse—suggesting he will pass it along further.
The film closes with Jay and Paul walking hand-in-hand down a quiet street. Behind them, a figure follows at a slow, steady pace. The film never confirms whether this is the entity or a random passerby, leaving the audience in suspense.
The ending underscores the film’s central theme: fear is always lingering. Even when shared or buried, it can return. The curse is not only physical but emotional—a burden that can’t be ignored, only managed.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- It Follows Rating Scores
- Our Score: 7/10
- Overall Score: 7.78/10
- IMDB: 6.8/10
- MetaCritic: 8.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 9.5/10
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