I Joined a Cult

Well this was different... I came across this film while searching for found footage horror films on Prime and haven't seen anything quite like it before.

The movie is very character driven and feels like a documentary gone wrong. It has strong acting for an indie and the performances are the glue that binds everything together. There are some plot teases along the way to keep you hooked - who's the woman locked up? Do the cult really communicate with the spirits or is the leader just a kook? Is this chick just offer her rocker with the meds situation? Some of these questions never get answered, but they kept my attention so bravo 👏👏

I am writing this review as a a PSA, in fact, I'm writing this review as a way to save lives. This movie was hot garbage, and this is coming from someone who is not hard to please when it comes to Found Footage movies. The special effects, we're essentially non-existent, and a few times where special effects were needed, they were so poorly done that it looked comical. There are low budget movies, but in this case, it was a no budget movie. The acting? Very poor, very rigid, and one of the characters literally sounded like he was reading off of a piece of paper, that's how bad it was. And the ending? What the hell was that? Was that supposed to be a twist? Because if so, it was literally telegraphed in the first half of the movie. What a let down. You watch the movie waiting for something to happen, and nothing happens. I am all for low budget horror, I've seen at least a couple hundred or more low budget horror movies, but this one has to be the worst I've ever seen. The only redeeming quality this movie has is its run time which is a little over an hour and 10 minutes, an hour and 10 minutes which, unfortunately I will never get back.

As a horror aficionado you gotta appreciate when the low budget films give it their all and offer something unique. The main character is going through an internal struggle that manifests outwardly and we get a front row seat in her bipolar rollercoaster of emotions through what might be termed a "religious experience". The length clocks in on the shorter side at a svelte 70-something minutes, but it seems to fit the story they're trying to tell. There are some parts of the story I would have liked to see clarified or resolved better, but overall it hit the spot and it was nice to see a found footage horror film, you don't see enough of them get made these days.

Without doubt, the worst movie I have ever seen.

All of the actors seem like they've never worked before and should never work again, for the sake of cinema.

The script was awful, the dialogue was awful.

It was hard to tell if a character made me uncomfortable because they were creepy or just awful actors.

I've never found myself checking how long was left so many times in an hour.

The ending was terrible, didn't seem to resolve anything.

The leading actress was capable of a single facial expression, was unlikeable and irredeemable.

Also how did no one notice the face she planted very obvious cameras in the house...

For horror and found footage fans, this movie absolutely delivers, checking off all the essentials for fanatics of the genre. The acting is solid solid, with the cast delivering believable performances that pull you into the story from start to finish. The setting is tense and atmospheric, creating a perfect backdrop for the creepy cult setting. There's a dash of unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing without feeling overdone or forced, keeping the plot engaging and unpredictable.

On top of that, the b-plot side-stories add just the right amount of depth, giving you more than just the main storyline to sink your teeth into. The characters experience noticeable growth, making their journey feel meaningful and worth investing in emotionally. And perhaps one of the best parts? The runtime is perfectly paced - it gets the job done without dragging on or overstaying its welcome, leaving you feeling satisfied rather than exhausted. For fans of the genre, this one is a must-watch.