One Eyed Girl

I recommend but with a warning. It's heavy. It deals with mental health, loss, control, and how easy it is to fall into something dangerous when you're not okay. If you're in the right headspace and enjoy psychological thrillers that lean more into character and emotion than plot twists, it's definitely worth your time.

The film doesn't provide easy answers or fast-paced thrills. Instead, it offers a complex exploration of human suffering, the search for meaning, and the seductive power of belief systems. There are layers of tension that unfold quietly and methodically, making it feel more like a psychological investigation than a thriller in the conventional sense. While it may not boast the visceral impact of more overtly dramatic films in the genre, One Eyed Girl taps into a very real fear: the fear of losing control over one's own mind and identity.

What sets this film apart is its ability to balance character-driven drama with its philosophical and moral inquiries. The church that Travis stumbles upon isn't just a backdrop for the plot; it's a manifestation of Travis's fragile state of mind. Father Jay's influence over the group is subtle and insidious, and as we see Travis become more and more entangled with the church's practices, it's clear that the line between self-redemption and self-destruction is disturbingly thin.

I have to agree with one of the other reviewers that there isn't much, if anything, to recommend this by-the-books cult drama.

We have a chemically-dependent, terminally depressed young shrink (played convincingly enough by Mark Leonard Winter) whose young patient's suicide drives him over the edge, leading him into a cult-like EST-ish back-to-nature group led by Father Jay (Steve le Marquand).

Father Jay's group is all about getting "clear" (sound familiar?) and uses various punishing physical and mental techniques to supposedly "heal the soul".

So... is there anything you've heard so far that leads you to believe this is unlike any other cult you've heard about before?

Nope, didn't think so. And there isn't. I guess this might be shocking material for those who've never heard of brainwashing or even Charlie Manson, but it's snooze-inducing for those of us who have.

It's a pity because this isn't a poorly made film. The acting is decent. It just revolves around a non-story that's ordinary and non-compelling, to be kind. It's only 103 minutes, but it feels like a century. What a complete waste of everyone's time, including ours.

Just finished this and wow it's one of those quiet, heavy films that sits in your chest. Slow, unsettling, emotionally raw. Not scary in the traditional sense, but it messes with your head in a very real, human way. If you've ever felt lost or numb, this hits hard. Definitely not for everyone, but if you like that kind of emotional weight... worth it.

One Eyed Girl is a slow-burn thriller that rewards patient viewers with a haunting psychological exploration of loss, vulnerability, and the search for meaning. It's not always easy to watch, but it lingers long after the credits roll.

Highly recommended for fans of character-driven thrillers with a psychological and philosophical edge.