The Sacrament (2013/4) – Movie Review ★★★¾

Director: Ti West – Cast: Joe Swanberg, Amy Seimetz, Kate Lyn Sheil, AJ Bowen, Kentucker Audley & Gene Jones – Synopsis: Caroline (Amy Seimetz) is a former drug addict who has found solace living in Eden Parish a commune, miles from nowhere, self sufficient and led by the sinister and rather creepy “Father” – out of the blue Caroline reaches out to her brother Patrick by letter inviting him to visit her new home – Patrick (Kentucker Audley) travels to the commune with his colleagues, Sam (AJ Bowen) and Jake (Joe Swanberg) who work for VICE Media and specialize in “immersion journalise”, they hope to film these events and interview the man behind this mysterious commune – Verdict: shot in almost documentary style The Sacrament is easily Ti West’s best directed movie to date – the film draws inspiration from true life events and unlike West’s collaborator Eli Roth The Sacrament is not a picture full of B-Movie gore and violence, it’s a slow burning, thought-provoking feature that explodes into a melody of madness in it’s second half – it demonstrates one man’s sway over a group of vulnerable and somewhat weak individuals who are manipulated to his will – Overall although not a masterpiece Ti West displays his talent in combining the found footage format with a realistic, suspenseful story that’s well acted and has a superb soundtrack adding to the film’s overall feel – The Sacrament is nothing like West’s previous movies his supernatural The InnKeepers or horror homage The House of the Devil yet stands alone, taking his audience on an intriguing, frightening journey into the world of the cult – it’s a movie well worth the watch – just don’t get drinking the kool-aid !!