A slice of life in the mountain country, the film Them That Follow invites you to a back woods religious community much different than the ordinary. Nicely filmed and involving, it’s more of a drama than a thriller. The mountainous background fits the storyline and the actors do an excellent job of depicting the characters in the movie.
The small community worships the snake as their way of reaching out to God. Heading up the religious rites is Pastor Lemuel (Walton Goggins) who has been leading his church for several years. His daughter Mara (Alice Englert) has come of age and Garret (Lewis Pullman) has asked for her hand in marriage a boy who Lemuel really admires. But, Mara has her heart set on Augie (Thomas Mann) for more than one reason. When Mara accepts Garret’s proposal, the snakes start to rattle during their spiritual gathering.
As the movie progresses co-directors and writers Britt Poulton and Dan Madison Savage show the strength of Pastor Lemuel’s following as trouble is starting to brew within the flock. They make the film a dark drama of hill life and their beliefs before dropping the ax on the whole mess that follows. It gets a bit hackneyed just before the ending that has some very brutal moments.
The acting is good and up to snuff with most of the better Indies out there on DVD. Walton Goggins still has the fire he normally puts into the films he attracts and his character as the Pastor is spot on. Playing Mara, Alice Englert put on a good show as her marriage age starts to blossom and her determination to go beyond her father’s wishes looks very realistic. As the two butt heads, the film gets good, but thereafter the movie starts to spiral down to the average father daughter disagreement.
SPECIAL FEATURES
“Cast Interviews” The following actors are interviewed; Alice Englert, Thomas Mann, and Walton Goggins.
Them That Follow has been Rated R by the MPAA for some disturbing violence. It does get very bloody toward the finale and some language is present.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A good average movie for a Saturday evening at home. (2.5 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Olivia Colman, Kaitlyn Dever, Alice Englert, Jim Gaffigan, Walton Goggins, Thomas Mann and Lewis Pullman
Directed and written by: Britt Poulton and Dan Madison Savage
Genre: Drama, Thriller
MPAA Rating: Rated R for some disturbing violence
Running Time: 1 hr. 38 min.
Video Release Date: October 29, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date:
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: widescreen 16×9, Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Lionsgate
Released on: DVD
