swingbreed

So of course there's a lot that's a bit silly that you might expect from a low-budget small crew film making their first feature-length horror. However many horror fans like myself can appreciate a fun ride even with highly flawed production.

Yes, it's laughable sometimes. The "book" looked like something a kid made for a school project on something that's supposed to look "aged". You can actually notice the stumble when a cameraman picks up a camera -- stuff like that. Putting in non-diagetic ambiance in a found footage film is rather silly, as is its clearly intentional editing. Pretty much there's not a moment the film that doesn't feel like filmmakers are making it. But, as a yoga influencer might say, just let it go!

Sarah J Bartholomew's committed performance had a tendency to sell all the silly props and tricks, and since *she* was taking it all so seriously, it helped the viewer suspend some disbelief and join her on her ride. She deserves some success in the future of acting.

But honestly, I think what I like most about this feature is the general concept of taking the piss out of new age granola-crunching culture. Usually a demonic possession film is designed to act as antithesis to the Christian church, and it's nice instead to see the target placed on the toxic positivity of westernized McYoga "find your own truth" types. Just like the Christians, Neo-hippies as well have the demons in their closet that's gotta be aired out! I was laughing quite a bit at how the film subverted the sanitized "sacred" vibe of that culture with some well-deserved demonic bloodshed!

Also, I have to appreciate the fact there's a found footage film that doesn't have a second of handheld shaky cam, which is so tiresome. Honestly the shot composition is very strong in the film, the leads performance and the cinematography were probably the strongest elements. And it's so refreshing that the camera stays still most of the time, or only moves very slowly, so you don't get the motion sickness you might usually get from a found footage film -- I have to say too that in many of the found footage films that use that handheld shakiness, it feels forced as if its trying to remind you that it's a found footage film, which is especially silly when it follows "documentarians". Like if they're professional documentarians, you'd think they'd know to hold a camera still! Luckily there's none of that in Mind Body Spirit, the camera is as still as a yogi's attention.

So I'm not gonna call this a great film -- it's definitely not. But I did think it was a hoot that was a lot of fun!