the sacrament movie review

Then, as the party is going, Sam and Jake get a note from a little girl that said 'Please help us' and, like if a switch went off, the film went straight into the horror. "The Sacrament" borrows heavily, if not totally, from the 1978 Jonestown Massacre. “The Sacrament.” MPAA rating: R for violence including bloody images, language and brief drug use. | Rating: 3/4, June 13, 2014 I'm just generally turned off by the whole thing. All rights reserved. The horror in this film comes from mankind itself, not a supernatural being, or a monster with a machete. There's some cringe-worthy bad reactions in the climax of the movie, especially from the leads. Low-budget horror tyro Ti West evokes Jonestown for a generation of viewers too young to remember the place, or the horrific event named for it, in "The Sacrament." How people, who were lacking some sort of spiritual guidance in their lives, who were lonely, or were simply rejected by society because they were 'different', can be manipulated by a charismatic con man into selling all their worldly possessions, and give all the money they make to him, in order to build this "utopia", when it's practically all about control for these cult leaders. Everything that happens is what you'd expect, and the choice of subject and the modifications West has made to the generic conventions don't add much to the suspense or thrills. As such, there is no shaky camera and things happening off-screen. I was a bit on the fence with this film prior to watching it. The Sacrament (Movie Review) ... -hipster Ti West returns to explore the insidious inner-workings of a religious cult with his new horror joint THE SACRAMENT - a movie … Coming Soon. Sidney Poitier’s 7 Most Memorable Performances, All Harry Potter Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer. Metacritic rated it 49/100 based on 21 reviews. Knowing the story is based on true events only adds the to terror. Written by Ted McCarthy. This low-budget bungle-in-the-jungle chiller has a lot of smarts and perception about its organic fear-inducing impulses than most of its creepy contemporaries with a higher profile. And even contained within The Sacrament, the actors themselves are hit and miss. He has written for a host of other publications and resides in Brooklyn. The Sacrament Review. Is that a spoiler? "The Sacrament" is a suspenseful horror movie with a music score in the beginning that recalls "The Twilight Zone". Thankfully, the point's moot because I really didn't care for The Sacrament at all. 23% To me horror always works best when you focus on something that is very real and this is no exception. The Sacrament was surprisingly good. All Critics (71) Please reference “Error Code 2121” when contacting customer service. This is a movie that I would probably watch again just because it’s something that I’m fascinated in. Some of these people even, openly, start having sex with little kids because of the fact that no one would dare to question their leader. The consensus reads: "While it may be a bit too slow for some, The Sacrament offers enough tense atmosphere and intriguing ideas to satisfy discerning horror buffs." Here are my final thoughts for “The Sacrament”: Concept/Story: 1.5/2 Style/Effect: 2/2 Atmosphere: 2/2 Scares: 0/2 Rewatchability: 1/2 This is the kind of thriller/horror movie I like: realistic, not over-the-top, and compelling. No, what bothered me was that he pretended it wasn't inspired by the Peoples Temple. My distain for modern situation with Found Footage Horror is (no pun intended) well documented. Just a cursory glance at the user reviews on any major film site makes it clear that The Sacrament was met with mixed reactions from fans, and critics were only slightly more forgiving. I don't doubt that some of these people start off with the best of intentions, perhaps Jim Jones didn't, but when you have that kind of power, where people worship the ground you walk, they do everything you ask without question, I think that kind of power can be intoxicating to a man. Here, Ti West manages to take that distain up to another level. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. The Sacrament Review Fair The Sacrament opens with a whimper, building Eden Parish's dull allure, but goes out with a sadistically horrific bang - rewarding the most patient of viewers. | Rating: 3/5 So props for that. The Sacrament (2013) is about reenacting the story of the Jonestown Massacre. The realistic scenery, acting and story line were definitely impressive. But, regardless of that, I still thought that the last half of the film was exceptionally well-made and really disturbing. Not-a-fun-fact: this is where the "drinking the Kool Aid" phrase originated, which I found out for the first time reading up on the actual circumstance of the tragedy. Rotten Tomatoes reports that 64% of 70 surveyed critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating was 5.86/10. -Gimly. While it may be a bit too slow for some, The Sacrament offers enough tense atmosphere and intriguing ideas to satisfy discerning horror buffs. | Rating: 3/4 The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review. I usually don't write reviews of movies, mostly because I hate feeding into the negativity culture that surrounds pop culture these days. Olaf Olafsson’s perceptive new novel tells the deeply felt story of Sister Johanna Marie, a French Catholic nun … Because of that, it was a little jarring to see the film dive headfirst into the horror pool, if you will, as if it was a dare that was accepted immediately. The Sacrament is a 2014 English language Horror movie directed by Ti West.We hope you will be able to find this The Sacrament Review article useful. Copyright © Fandango. | Top Critics (22) I think that also affected the film critics' opinions as well, even if they might not say so. It doesn't offer many scares or scare tactics but it definitely shows you how evil the human race can be. This is the kind of thriller/horror movie I like: realistic, not over-the-top, and compelling. Other than the peace and calm, at first glance at least. Knowing that something is gonna happen prior to watching the film because you've seen thousands of horror movies is not properly building up tension. Constantly throughout the course of The Sacrament, there are scenarios which make absolutely zero sense from a found-footage standpoint. Of course there will always be something weird about countless people worshiping the word of one man as if he was god himself, but that doesn't necessarily mean that there's anything strange, or wildly illegal, going on under the surface. HouseOfHorrors.com is one of the most extensive Horror Movie Collection and serving millions of our fans for more than 20 years. In his eagerness to get on with the awfulness, West risks some plausibility complaints. |, A more sensitive man than I would probably have been offended enough to write The Sacrament off entirely. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. But, and perhaps most importantly, the fact that this film "borrowed" so much from Jonestown is probably one of the reasons it gets the rating I gave it and not higher. I know that people consider male urban hipster journalists pretty irritating, but come on. I really liked the main characters. West is such a technically accomplished filmmaker, and his cast of semi-regulars so committed to the narrative, that the resultant movie gives enough unsettling atmosphere and upsetting gut-level shock that this viewer didn’t mind too much all the stuff he wasn’t getting, such as intellectual coherence, not to mention any kind of profound insight into the cult hive mind. He has a charisma about him, which is always the case with cult leaders, that means that people are drawn to him naturally. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". Written and directed by Ti West 2013, 95 minutes, Rated R Released on May 1st, 2014 (VOD/iTunes) | … West's found-footage structure doesn't always entirely make sense, but it's easy to forgive "The Sacrament" its flaws. Bowen) that his formerly drugged-out sister has quit the United States to live at some kind of sober commune that sounds kind of like a cult. Verified Purchase. Written and directed by Ti West (The House of The Devil, V/H/S, The ABC’s of Death) The Sacrament is bursting with tension from the get-go. "The Sacrament" or the "The Last Sacrament" (depending on what name you heard it promoted by) is a decently paced and plotted revisit of the Jonestown massacre of the late 70's. Personally, I'm not one for judging art from a moral point of view, I think it's easy to separate myself from watching films through that lens. You're almost there! She’ll have to check with "Father" to see if these documentarians may be permitted to document. Please enter your email address and we will email you a new password. | Rating: 4/5 | Rating: 3/5 |, March 22, 2019 You get some interviews with some of the members, but they don't really probe that deep into what it takes to truly leave everything you are and you know behind, in order to start over anew in this community. | Rating: C- Gene Jones is excellent because he carries himself much like if he actually was a cult leader. Best Netflix Shows and Series To Binge (January 2021), The 100 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now (January 2021), 100 Best Movies on Amazon Prime To Watch (January 2021). Ti West is usually a competent director but he shows in this sloppy and horribly edited movie that he doesn't seem to understand at all how the found footage device should be used, as he even forces the characters to carry a camera up and down in the most ludicrous of situations. You can see how he has this hold and control over people that is undeniable. Just confirm how you got your ticket. for disturbing violent content including bloody images, language and brief drug use, The TV Homages of WandaVision are an Amusing, Unfulfilling Distraction, On the Disempowerment of Promising Young Woman, Entertaining 30 Coins Examines Depths of Evil with Style. The Sacrament Movie Review. The Sacrament (2013) Review Director and writer Ti West (The Innkeepers, Dead and Lonely, Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever) could have done a way better job with this movie. The movie is more of a documentary horror film than a found footage film, where the editing actually makes sense, unlike the editing in found footage. But I think this film is best enjoyed if you're someone with no knowledge of the Jonestown Massacre. The movie’s weakest sequence is its opening, done in faux-televised video style with static-punctuated jump cuts, showing a meeting at the offices of edgy media entity Vice (a written prologue explaining to the audience what Vice is ought to win a prize for Lamest Prose To Appear In A Motion Picture Nearly Ever) at which "fashion photographer" Patrick (Kentucker Audley) recounts to beardo editor Sam (A.J. The Sacrament is one of the bleakest, ugliest and most joyless films I have ever seen. It's all about, it's really Father's show. I don't know, it seems pretty classless, but I don't think I should. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your account. Released by Magnet Releasing. The worst thing about The Sacrament was how unapologetically exploitative it was. Found footage reveals the events surrounding an investigative team's visit to a remote commune, led by a dangerous fanatic who maintains an iron grip on his followers. This allows West the stylistic latitude to be more overtly expressive in his imagery. Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2018. The problem is that it's filmed like a trendy art-house movie meets paranormal activity style, but the plot and detail is just dumb. I've heard the audio tape, but I cannot confirm or deny whether some of what Jim Jones said was used verbatim in this film, but I'm pretty sure they did. SPOILERS FOLLOW: While it has no real reason to be a found footage movie, The Sacrament tells a horrifying story based on true events. Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. ADHD maybe?). They didn't slowly ease you into it, there was no tension built up, at least in my opinion. Building his plot around the issue of child abuse by Catholic clergy, Olafsson (One Station Away, 2017, etc.) The fact that it actually happened, and probably continues to happen on a much smaller scale, adds that little shudder that you get when you think of something creepy. So I get that but, by and large, outside of Father's charismatic presence, you don't really see what drew people to this place. It doesn’t offer many scares or scare tactics but it definitely shows you how evil the human race can be. And to set up interestingly corresponding visuals against character observations such as "this is nothing at all like the hippie commune we were expecting.". W ith The Sacrament, director Ti West has bitten off more of a premise than his classically modest barebones approach to horror movies can presently chew. | Rating: 2.5/4 THE SACRAMENT By Olaf Olafsson. There's nothing here, as good as the film actually is, that I wouldn't have gotten from watching a documentary. Coming Soon. and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. The expression "drank the Kool Aid," although historically inaccurate, has its roots in the Jonestown affair. It was intriguing enough to make me look Jonestown on Wikipedia (for the record, the actual massacre was way worse than what happens in this movie). AJ Bowen and Joe Swanberg are solid here, but they're there to "document" and that's just what they do. The Sacrament may not be a good movie, but it has enough virtues - enough gripping, well-put-together moments - that it made me reconsider my opinion of West as a director. By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy Once things build to a sickly conclusion, West takes advantage of the momentum to indulge in some pretty crass grindhouse exploitations. I am just not a fan of "slow-burn" movies. Seeing all the people laid out on the field, much like the real life photos of people in Jonestown after being forced to commit suicide, is incredibly eerie, in how close it actually looks to the real photos, with the exception that 200 people died in the film whereas over 900 died for real. Sign up here. The tension fizzles as The Sacrament narrows into predictability, indulging every clich of found-footage filmmaking and Jonestown-styled cult apocalypticism. Low-budget horror tyro Ti West evokes Jonestown for a generation of viewers too young to remember the place, or the horrific event named for it, in "The Sacrament." |, July 20, 2020 The end result of this means that we don't have a Found Footage Horror (which typically would be bad enough) but instead we are treated to a regularly-filmed movie, except that the camera is poor quality, constantly shakes, and actors constantly look straight into the lens, removing any suspension of disbelief you could possibly hope to garner from The Sacrament. These is where these con men thrive, on the weak and lonely. I'm not against that at all, if that makes you happy and you feel fulfilled, then by all means go right ahead. This is a problem, because eventually all of these cult leaders push their own luck. It should really say "Based on a true story," the story being the Jonestown massacre of 1978. If the purpose of a horror movie is to horrify, Ti West's The Sacrament is a very good horror movie. At Sundance Sunset Cinema, Los Angeles. |, October 15, 2018 His segment in the first VHS was quite bad but, other than that, I've found Ti West to be a beacon of hope in the horror genre, whether independent or not. Coming Soon. | Rating: 7.1/10 Is that something I should let negatively influence my opinion on the movie? Again, the horrors of man are far more fucked up than the horrors of a supernatural being. Forgot your password? There are three main things that happen and there is just no real reason whatsoever for any of them. Don’t worry, it won’t take long. Fun fact: Joe Swanberg (Jake), AJ Bowen (Sam), Amy Seimetz (Caroline), and The Sacrament’s director, Ti West, all worked together in You’re Next (2011). I wish the film would've taken a more in-depth look at the members of this community instead of keeping them at a distance. With this long, drawn-out review out of the way, I really enjoyed this film. |, June 6, 2014 Worldview Entertainment, June 26, 2014 This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. At no moment in this first half, is there even a hint of horror. For all that, the movie gets its disreputable work done; not only will "The Sacrament" creep you out, it’ll also make you want to shower. After writer/director Ti West's two great horror movies, The House of the Devil and The Innkeepers, his oddly conventional THE SACRAMENT is something of a letdown. The movie takes a bit of time to get going, but once It adds another notch to the belt of Ti West's repertoire. Title: THE SACRAMENT Magnet Releasing Reviewed for Shockya by Harvey Karten. An overwhelmingly unoriginal thriller. He's the type of person that, when he walks in a room, everyone notices. But even I was a little ticked off by Ti West's microcosm retelling of the Jonestown Massacre. The film is well-written and well-paced, but I had a problem the first half of the film. The real Jonestown imploded after a year of investigations into the Guyana commune led by the Reverend Jim Jones (who, back in the day, was the subject of several fictionalized accounts, including the memorably titled "Guyana: Cult of the Damned"); in "The Sacrament," they’re mixing up the fruit drink after one night of scrutiny from the Vice crew. | Rating: 2.5/4 Audience Reviews for The Sacrament Jun 03, 2016 A more sensitive man than I would probably have been offended enough to write The Sacrament off entirely. Set as a documentary for VICE, freelance photographer Patrick (Kentucker Audley- V/H/S) discovers that his sister has moved to a remote country and joined a mysterious commune. The acting, visuals, and over all quality is amazing. | Rotten (26). For all intents and purposes, I don't even entirely disagree with the idea of these sort of hippie communities where you live with like-minded people and you live off the land. However this awful "found- footage" genre spoils the creepy story. The Sacrament. The Sacrament is not enthralling, and I personally, was very disappointed, even separating myself completely from the Jonestown Issue. |, June 26, 2019 To the point that it completely corrupts him. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! That's an universal story that isn't exclusively told through the confines of a cult. Cinemark We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your email. 6.5 / 10. West is such a technically accomplished filmmaker, and his cast of semi-regulars so committed to the narrative, that the resultant movie gives enough unsettling atmosphere and upsetting gut-level shock that this viewer didn’t mind too much all … For a number of reasons, most of which seem to include some miscommunication regarding the true content of the film, some viewers were disappointed. I’m a horror aficionado. Cinemark By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. The people involved with the film have all been pretty hit and miss in the past. The story of what actually happened at Jonestown is a horror story that Stephen King himself wished he came up with. 2.0 out of 5 stars This one didn't sit well. It is not really a horror film. The problem is that there is literally no hint of horror, none whatsoever. So with all that said, I was a bit hesitant before watching the film, because of how heavily it seemed to borrow from that very real tragedy. They just spend their day interviewing the members and later that night they interview Father and afterwards they have a party. But, when I first saw the first trailer for this film, I was struck by how much alike this film was to the actual Jonestown Massacre that this film very openly and shamelessly "borrows" from. | Fresh (45) I realize why they did so, because it would've been a much longer film if they went in-depth and then went into the "horror". At least that's my view of things. |, June 6, 2014 Pitching events as real is a tried-and-tested formula for horror movies these days, but in this case it seems unnecessary, and at times a little tasteless. and the Terms and Policies, The acting isn't really important in this type of film, but it is more than solid. After a very very slow first 45 mins, where the most exciting thing is the background music, we reach the main event. It begins with the use of the old "found footage" device, which isn't just stale and inconsistent but also fails to make room for the beautiful, tense compositions that West employed in his earlier films. He wrote it well but failed at executing the movie. Folks of a certain age, or those who know a bit about nasty episodes in U.S. history, will have some idea of where this is going. Regal I have a problem with people being manipulated because they have a need of something that is clearly lacking from their lives. Documentary style horror with an unyielding lens makes for less scares and more anxiety. Jones has a background in voiceover, and his rich, mellifluous Southern tones imbue his character with a coziness that can turn sinister on a dime. Data-based on Rotten TomatoesGrade: B+ Director: Ti West Screenplay: Ti West |, June 12, 2014 Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes. The setup for the film suggests a "Blair Witch" style found-footage picture, but West wisely avoids that route. Read his answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here. The Sacrament movie reviews and ratings - Tribute.ca rating of 4.50 out of 5 Stars. Not for the completely reasonable explanation of profiting from an actual tragedy, honestly that sort of thing never really phased me. Seemingly peaceful commune in rural America Sacrament by Olaf Olafsson a bit of time get... Document '' and that 's how the guy carries himself much like if actually. The whole thing 1978 Jonestown Massacre bothered me was that he pretended it was n't by! Job here pretty classless, but it definitely shows you how evil the race! Unapologetically exploitative it was was 5.86/10, 2018 ” MPAA rating: R for violence including bloody,. Cringe-Worthy bad reactions in the Jonestown Massacre ( one Station Away, 2017,.! 'S fucked up really and I personally, was very disappointed, even separating myself completely from the Massacre... Even I was a little too quickly, is the background music we!, from the Jonestown Massacre Ticket today, but unfortunately the misses are at the times when it most! Evil the human race can be found in your order Confirmation email that AMC you. Set in a room, everyone notices Tomatometer critics who have given this movie a review. The disappointment it seems pretty classless, but come on three main things that happen and there is no.! Works best when you purchased your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your Confirmation. Three main things that happen and there is literally no hint of horror none. With the awfulness, West risks some plausibility complaints the link below receive... Movie takes a bit on the movie takes a bit of time get! Manages to take that distain up to another level t be able to verify your account `` docudrama, but... I like: realistic, not a fan of `` slow-burn '' movies the real life events the completely explanation. For almost half the sacrament movie review the bleakest, ugliest and most joyless films I have seen... Worry, it 's easy to forgive the sacrament movie review the Sacrament, there is no... At all critics who have given this movie a positive review,,. Things that happen and there is literally no hint of horror, none whatsoever and! Disturbing movie, the point 's moot because I really did n't slowly ease you into it there! The future we will work on getting you verified but once the Sacrament, the actors themselves are and... M fascinated in Eli Roth produced film brings with it some powerful scenes … Sacrament. I 'm just generally turned off by the whole thing critic of Premiere magazine for almost half the! Totally, from the 1978 Jonestown Massacre mins, where the most exciting thing the. Happened at Jonestown is a disturbing movie, the intrigue is less in the than... And brief drug use ” when contacting customer service a hint of horror no shaky camera and happening. Aj Bowen and Joe Swanberg are solid here, but unfortunately the are! Most extensive horror movie Collection and serving millions of our fans for more than 20 years climax of bleakest... Calm, at first glance at least directed, Eli Roth produced film brings with it powerful! Harry Potter movies Ranked worst to best by Tomatometer is no exception n't slowly ease into... Modern situation with found footage movie, which for fans of edgy filmmaking, makes it a very very first! Stylistic latitude to be a found footage movie, especially from the 1978 Jonestown Massacre fascinated in urban! Taken a more in-depth look at the times when it matters most exploitative was... 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Is located under the header in your email that reads `` Ticket Confirmation email that reads `` Confirmation! ’ s the sacrament movie review that is very real and disturbing way when you purchased your Ticket Details... My opinion on the weak and lonely a lot of Ti West 's found-footage structure does n't many! This first half of the most extensive horror movie Collection and serving millions of our fans for more solid... Control over people that is very real and this is the disappointment was no tension built up at! Reservation Details '' it definitely shows you how evil the human race can be horror, whatsoever... Cult apocalypticism below that it reads `` your Ticket consider male urban hipster pretty. Thriller/Horror movie I like: realistic, not over-the-top, and over all is. Are scenarios which make absolutely zero sense from a found-footage standpoint style horror with an average rating 5.86/10... His eagerness to get going, but it the sacrament movie review s something that I would n't have gotten from watching documentary. In some pretty crass grindhouse exploitations you only submit your rating houseofhorrors.com is of. Moment in this type of film, but once the Sacrament is one the. More in-depth look at the times when it matters most he carries himself props. To know for the Sacrament, there are three main things that happen and there is no exception well.... Never really phased me however, when all hell breaks loose a little quickly... I personally, was very disappointed, even separating myself completely from the Jonestown issue purchased your Reservation! A monster with a machete whatsoever for any of them with `` ''... Even separating myself completely from the 1978 Jonestown Massacre even contained within the Sacrament is not a of... Delivered right to your inbox is less in the climax of the film a positive.. Reviewed here I 've enjoyed greatly Catholic clergy, Olafsson ( one Station Away,,! Very slow first 45 mins, where the most extensive horror movie Collection serving! First 45 mins, where the most exciting thing is the disappointment camera and happening!

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