It Follows II

It had to be said that aside from the masterful ingenuity in editing with the creature changing one form of person to the next.

The shock factor from the sudden reappearance of the creature when the audience thought that they've escaped it.

It all made the horror and tension stand out in the film. Director Wilhelm was not a staunch Kubrick supporter for naught.

What elevated the film was whenever the group of friends fought off the creature. The invisible filming effects that the crew used were amazing.

On the beach scene, the footprints that appeared without a clear figure stepping on them were superb.

When Naomi's character slammed a beach chair into the figure and was stuck as if it hit something.

When a friend tried to punch nothing but still made contact.

When a friend was subsequently thrown away by nothing into the distance.

It was a succession of those things that elevated the effect of the story.

It wasn't the malleable Terminator or Kevin Bacon's The Hollow Man but it was still mindblowing for the late 80s.

The film executives and representatives on their usurped special seats were furrowing their brows at the film's ingenuity.

The invisible effect wasn't anything new for them but using it in such a manner was a new benchmark.

It may be due to the director's skill or the producer's guidance. Either way, 'It Follows' was a guaranteed shocker that followed its two predecessors.

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For the climax, the pool that was used in the first scene was revisited.

The group plans to trap and electrocute the creature by using Jennifer's character as bait.

All that she needed was to float in the middle of the pool and when the creature jumps in, she would swim out of harm's way while the electrical appliances will do the rest.

The creature did not foolishly fall for their trap though, it invisibly picked up the appliance and threw it into the girl.

The invisible effects were utilized once again and when one of their friends covered the invisible figure with a cloth, the levitating silk made it ghost-like.

Everyone has seen kids use their white blankets as ghost costumes but to see the ghost costume really have no clear figure supporting it is a refreshing scene.

Eventually, the figure was dropped into the pool but its quick grasp on the girl was the problem.

The underwater camera showing Jennifer's swimsuit body and her legs being held by something not seen was another spectacle.

They eventually electrocuted the figure after some scuffle but still eventually fail when the creature still shows up not far from the troubled girl.

With hopelessness, another boy friend offers his heroic services. He, then, passes on the curse via hiring hookers.

The last scene shows the heroic boy and Jennifer's character walking the streets.

The girl asks. "Did you take care of it?"

The boy said. "I did. It won't be bothering us anymore."

The audience was relieved at the hard-fought yet easy ending but when a figure suddenly appeared right behind the two... ominously following... the fear returned again.

It turned black and the after-credits and final credits rolled.

There was silence in the seats but eventually, they all stood up and applauded the film.

It successfully scared and wowed them, so they weren't perfunctory or stingy with their praise.

Every girl is afraid of stalkers and every man is afraid of being constantly watched without consent.

The 'it' that followed Jennifer's character, perfectly symbolized that fear. This was what goes on for the normal audience.

As for the savvy critics, mingling among their midst, sexual frivolity, ignorance, and sexually transmitted diseases were dominant among their notes.

Although no competing companies were paying them and even Creed Films made it clear that they won't be dealing with them much, the critics still had to do their jobs.

Some would be salty about not being paid but there are still some principled critics who review films as they please.

Of course, their positive leaning towards 'It Follows' was the majority.

Without James Cameron's Terminator 2 and Spielberg's Jurrasic Park, the invisible, transformable, teleporting, and creepily following 'it' was a staple of simple but effective film effects for 1989.

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The applause ended and the premiere went on.

Simple words of gratitude from the production crew and cast were commenced as they took the stage.

Run Lola Run also had this tradition but they were more traditional because they underestimated the film.

The uninvited reporters, who just wanted to get a scoop from a gathering of film executives, eventually shifted their focus to the film they watched.

They asked questions and interrogated the cast. Miss Connelly became the focus because she was the main character and the most familiar to the public.

Recently famous, Kidman and Damon were also spotted hiding amongst the crowd by some eagle-eyed people, so they were a target too.

Alexander who silently watched this turn of events can only mention that he expected it. Damon and Affleck being inseparable was no joke after all. As for Nicole supporting her Happy Death Day co-star and fellow countryman, that was a matter of contention.

When they found out that the Run Lola Run cast had some close connections with the 'It Follows' cast, their scoops were found.

The film was amazing from the reporter's perspective, so helping it by writing a few bits of articles was good enough.

In any case, the uninvited guest and upgraded premiere brought unwanted but needed benefits.

The articles that would be published from this surprise should also help pave the way for 'Parallel' and 'Happy Death Day'.

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When all the formal events finished, the crowd eventually receded. The film executive and boss confrontations were still stuff to look forward to but the event organizers wouldn't let them take part in that.

To the reporters' and media people's regret, they walked away while the cast and crew celebrated amongst themselves.

When they noticed the cast shaking hands with a gentlemanly old man beside a charmingly dashing boy, they were too late to connect with the powerful Creed executive Sullivan and mysterious child star, Alexander Creed.