Excellent little film that slow burns into a final act fire worthy of the wait. We begins with a seemingly subtle teenage angst drama, you have 3 obviously "touched" teens, 1 girl and 2 boys whom you quickly determine are all awash with personal problems, anger issues, sullen introvert melancholy, over sexualized acting out and reckless disregard for their own safety...not a good mix when a bully who abused the 2 boys years earlier is now out on parole and none the improved citizen. Despite this he seems to have no interest in bothering them, that doesn't erase the grudge they carry. This comes into play when one of the boys witnesses a man in the woods burying something. The 3 teens decide to come back thinking it could be money or drugs only to discover a body, but NOT the body fo the local girl that has been missing (Whom many believe the bully was responsible for her disappearance). When the 3 teens discover that the bully is NOT, and that instead a local serial killer whom has been work in the area for who knows how long is none to happy when these teens make the brilliant (not) decision to blackmail a serial killer to rid them of the bully, considering their own personal revenge more important than the evil they have decided to blackmail one supposes. Needless to say things don't go well, basically turning into a pretty tense, anxious and properly frightening slasher film in many aspects. Add in the final act's well hidden and quite shocking TWISTS and what appeared to be a mediocre thriller turned into a WTF horror movie with slasher overtones. I was quite impressed with the cinematography, the acting and the twists which I failed to see coming, considering my quite extensive film collection that is not an easy task for a movie to accomplish...I am pleased to say this one did. VERY glad I bought it and have it in my collection.
Review of Acolytes
