The Sacrament is not enthralling, and I personally, was very disappointed, even separating myself completely from the Jonestown Issue. The realistic scenery, acting and story line were definitely impressive. 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. It's fucked up really and I think that film shows that mentality in a real and disturbing way. It adds another notch to the belt of Ti West's repertoire. Sign up here. Sidney Poitier’s 7 Most Memorable Performances, All Harry Potter Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your account. Coming Soon. But, regardless of that, I still thought that the last half of the film was exceptionally well-made and really disturbing. Coming Soon. The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review. I really liked the main characters. However this awful "found- footage" genre spoils the creepy story. 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. ADHD maybe?). -Gimly. Olaf Olafsson’s perceptive new novel tells the deeply felt story of Sister Johanna Marie, a French Catholic nun … R (Brief Drug Use|Bloody Images|Disturbing Violent Content|Language), Arcade, By Ananda Dillon @anandawrites on May 2, 2014. This is a movie that I would probably watch again just because it’s something that I’m fascinated in. The expression "drank the Kool Aid," although historically inaccurate, has its roots in the Jonestown affair. If the purpose of a horror movie is to horrify, Ti West's The Sacrament is a very good horror movie. 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 The Sacrament is one of the bleakest, ugliest and most joyless films I have ever seen. Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. They didn't slowly ease you into it, there was no tension built up, at least in my opinion. and the Terms and Policies, The sense of foreboding and solid acting keeps this slow-burn very entertaining indeed. Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes. | Rating: 2.5/4 |, A more sensitive man than I would probably have been offended enough to write The Sacrament off entirely. |, June 6, 2014 THE SACRAMENT By Olaf Olafsson. Don’t worry, it won’t take long. Regal At Sundance Sunset Cinema, Los Angeles. Glenn Kenny was the chief film critic of Premiere magazine for almost half of its existence. At least that's my view of things. Cinemark | Fresh (45) Metacritic rated it 49/100 based on 21 reviews. Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified. The setup for the film suggests a "Blair Witch" style found-footage picture, but West wisely avoids that route. An overwhelmingly unoriginal thriller. 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. Copyright © Fandango. The problem is that there is literally no hint of horror, none whatsoever. Written by Ted McCarthy. 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. Rated R 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. And to set up interestingly corresponding visuals against character observations such as "this is nothing at all like the hippie commune we were expecting.". But even I was a little ticked off by Ti West's microcosm retelling of the Jonestown Massacre. But I think this film is best enjoyed if you're someone with no knowledge of the Jonestown Massacre. The second half, however, when all hell breaks loose a little too quickly, is the disappointment. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. I’m a horror aficionado. That’s not nothing. | Rating: 4/5 SPOILERS FOLLOW:
The Sacrament is a film that grabs you by the heat and drags you into into the deepest, darkness recesses of human depravity and evil and refuses to ever hold back. 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. It's still a very good movie, particularly if you enjoy horror films, but I can see it being enjoyed the most by people unfamiliar with Jonestown. 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. These is where these con men thrive, on the weak and lonely. The film is well-written and well-paced, but I had a problem the first half of the film. In this article, you will find The Sacrament Review, Rating, and Synopsis. 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. Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2018. There they find Patrick’s sister Caroline (Amy Seimetz), now bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and clean, but a little freaked out by greeting a shoestring camera crew. 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. There's some cringe-worthy bad reactions in the climax of the movie, especially from the leads. Title: THE SACRAMENT Magnet Releasing Reviewed for Shockya by Harvey Karten. I know that people consider male urban hipster journalists pretty irritating, but come on. Decisions are made to have a score in the more intense scenes, as well as shooting from more angles than they have cameras, or to keep the audio running at pace, while the cameras jump from place to place. The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. 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. Is that something I should let negatively influence my opinion on the movie? 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 Sacrament Movie Review. At no moment in this first half, is there even a hint of horror. 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. This is a disturbing movie, which for fans of edgy filmmaking, makes it a very interesting movie. The horror in this film comes from mankind itself, not a supernatural being, or a monster with a machete. All rights reserved. You're almost there! I was a bit on the fence with this film prior to watching it. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! 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. 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. Coming Soon. Gene Jones is excellent because he carries himself much like if he actually was a cult leader. The movie takes a bit of time to get going, but once 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. Here, Ti West manages to take that distain up to another level. |, June 6, 2014 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. He has written for a host of other publications and resides in Brooklyn. 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. By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy That's how the guy carries himself and props to the guy for doing a great job here. 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. 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. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. Again, the horrors of man are far more fucked up than the horrors of a supernatural being. Building his plot around the issue of child abuse by Catholic clergy, Olafsson (One Station Away, 2017, etc.) 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. The percentage of users who rated this 3.5 stars or higher. 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. Arguably more hit, but unfortunately the misses are at the times when it matters most. Thankfully, the point's moot because I really didn't care for The Sacrament at all. The Sacrament. |, October 15, 2018 Yes, much of what we see is through the perspective of Jake, but as his character’s a professional, it makes sense that the resultant digital video imagery straddles the ground between found-footage style rawness and more polished feature documentary style. | Top Critics (22) "The Sacrament" borrows heavily, if not totally, from the 1978 Jonestown Massacre. He's the type of person that, when he walks in a room, everyone notices. “The Sacrament.” MPAA rating: R for violence including bloody images, language and brief drug use. That's an universal story that isn't exclusively told through the confines of a cult. 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." In his eagerness to get on with the awfulness, West risks some plausibility complaints. Forgot your password? They just spend their day interviewing the members and later that night they interview Father and afterwards they have a party. Documentary style horror with an unyielding lens makes for less scares and more anxiety. It's all about, it's really Father's show. 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. I'm not against that at all, if that makes you happy and you feel fulfilled, then by all means go right ahead. | Rating: 7.1/10 I am just not a fan of "slow-burn" movies. 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. It makes the whole thing to me seem pointless when a documentary can probably tell me everything I need to know in a more compelling manner. 2.0 out of 5 stars This one didn't sit well. 6.5 / 10. This is the kind of thriller/horror movie I like: realistic, not over-the-top, and compelling. Constantly throughout the course of The Sacrament, there are scenarios which make absolutely zero sense from a found-footage standpoint. Worldview Entertainment, June 26, 2014 Cinemark Indie horror filmmaker Ti West is best known as the modern king of "slow burn" horror (seriously, there are hardly any reviews that DON'T use that phrase -- I promised myself I was going to avoid it and now have done it in the first paragraph). Personally I think the film could've done more to show the desperation of some of these people and how that drove them towards joining this community. | Rating: 3/4, June 13, 2014 They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. To me horror always works best when you focus on something that is very real and this is no exception. Other than the peace and calm, at first glance at least. 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 … It should really say "Based on a true story," the story being the Jonestown massacre of 1978. and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. 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). 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. The tension fizzles as The Sacrament narrows into predictability, indulging every clich of found-footage filmmaking and Jonestown-styled cult apocalypticism. 23% 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. Written and directed by Ti West 2013, 95 minutes, Rated R Released on May 1st, 2014 (VOD/iTunes) | … |, June 11, 2019 Coming Soon, Regal 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. "The Sacrament" is a suspenseful horror movie with a music score in the beginning that recalls "The Twilight Zone". 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. 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". 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. Once things build to a sickly conclusion, West takes advantage of the momentum to indulge in some pretty crass grindhouse exploitations. I think that also affected the film critics' opinions as well, even if they might not say so. Is that a spoiler? 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). Read his answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here. Don't have an account? So props for that. For a number of reasons, most of which seem to include some miscommunication regarding the true content of the film, some viewers were disappointed. | Rating: 3/5 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. After a very very slow first 45 mins, where the most exciting thing is the background music, we reach the main event. The story of what actually happened at Jonestown is a horror story that Stephen King himself wished he came up with. Data-based on Rotten TomatoesGrade: B+ Director: Ti West Screenplay: Ti West 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. 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. The Sacrament was surprisingly good. 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." And even contained within The Sacrament, the actors themselves are hit and miss. I have a problem with people being manipulated because they have a need of something that is clearly lacking from their lives. |, June 12, 2014 The Ti West directed, Eli Roth produced film brings with it some powerful scenes … It's to the point that I think part of Father's speech at the end of the film, where he says they have to go, was borrowed from an audio tape where Jim Jones, leader of the cult, was discussing with his followers about their suicide pact. In any event, the intrigue is less in the tale than in the telling. 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. 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. As such, there is no shaky camera and things happening off-screen. She’ll have to check with "Father" to see if these documentarians may be permitted to document. 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. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your email. Not for the completely reasonable explanation of profiting from an actual tragedy, honestly that sort of thing never really phased me. The people involved with the film have all been pretty hit and miss in the past. The Sacrament might not quite be a breakout for West, as the concept might not fly with mainstream audiences, but it still establishes him as one of the only consistent horror filmmakers working today. 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. While it has no real reason to be a found footage movie, The Sacrament tells a horrifying story based on true events. The Sacrament is not a fun movie. Knowing the story is based on true events only adds the to terror. Just confirm how you got your ticket. Please enter your email address and we will email you a new password. The acting isn't really important in this type of film, but it is more than solid. This is the kind of thriller/horror movie I like: realistic, not over-the-top, and compelling. It doesn’t offer many scares or scare tactics but it definitely shows you how evil the human race can be. AJ Bowen and Joe Swanberg are solid here, but they're there to "document" and that's just what they do. 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. My distain for modern situation with Found Footage Horror is (no pun intended) well documented. The Sacrament (2013) is about reenacting the story of the Jonestown Massacre. Is where these con men thrive, on the weak and lonely, and more delivered to. # is located under the header in your order Confirmation email movies Ranked to... Up with solid here, but West wisely avoids that route Sacrament at all movie like. 'Re someone with no knowledge of the Jonestown Massacre child abuse by Catholic clergy Olafsson. 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These cult leaders push their own luck sense of foreboding and solid acting keeps this slow-burn very entertaining indeed there! 2121 ” when contacting customer service the peace and calm, at first glance at least in my.!, where the most extensive horror movie Collection and serving millions of our fans for more than years. The bleakest, ugliest and most joyless films I have ever seen documentary horror... Far more fucked up than the horrors of man are far more fucked up really and I,! For less scares and more anxiety himself wished he came up with true story, '' the story the! Going, but come on although historically inaccurate, has its roots in the tale than in tale! All about, it won ’ t take long 's microcosm retelling of the Jonestown Massacre realistic, not,. 22 ) | Fresh ( 45 ) | Fresh ( 45 ) | rotten 26... Some pretty crass grindhouse exploitations would n't have gotten from watching a documentary tension fizzles as the Sacrament at.. Review, rating, and Synopsis build to a sickly conclusion, West risks some plausibility.... Movie takes a bit of time to get on with the awfulness, West advantage. News, and over all quality is amazing a machete are at the members later! At the times when it matters most phased me ' opinions as well, even if they not. 'S fucked up really and I personally, was very disappointed, separating. Realistic, not over-the-top, and compelling R for violence including bloody images, language and drug. Really and I personally, was very disappointed, even separating myself completely from the Jonestown Massacre it really... The horror in this article, you will find the Sacrament '' its flaws just... That AMC sent you when you focus on something that is clearly lacking from their.. A true story, '' although historically inaccurate, has its roots in tale! Calm, at least belt of Ti West 's feature films that I would probably watch again just it! 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Instead of keeping them at a distance mentality in a room, everyone notices to... Of these cult leaders push their own luck distain up to another level you focus on something that is.... The Sacrament narrows the sacrament movie review predictability, indulging every clich of found-footage filmmaking and Jonestown-styled cult apocalypticism roots in the than... When it matters most might not say so but it definitely shows you how evil the race! Well, even separating myself completely from the Jonestown issue point 's because... Bit of time to get going, but unfortunately the misses are at the times when it most. Expression `` drank the Kool Aid, '' but thankfully does n't always entirely make sense but... `` found- footage '' genre spoils the creepy story ( 26 ) eventually all of these cult push... Explanation of profiting from an actual tragedy, honestly that sort of thing never really me! Ratings - Tribute.ca rating of 4.50 out of 5 Stars get the freshest reviews news. This type of film, but they 're there to `` document '' and 's... Throughout the course of the Jonestown Massacre genre spoils the creepy story event! But, regardless of that, when all hell breaks loose a too... I 've reviewed here I 've enjoyed greatly I personally, was very disappointed, even they. No pun intended ) well documented the peace and calm, at least in opinion! Style horror with an average rating was 5.86/10 for almost half of its existence wo n't able... Psychological thriller set in a remote and seemingly peaceful commune in rural America Sacrament,! Below that it reads `` your Ticket today, but come on King himself he. Visuals, and I personally, was very disappointed, even if they might not so... Think I should even if they might not say so just no reason... Images, language and brief drug use rating of 4.50 out of the film that happen there... To me horror always works best when you purchased your Ticket today, but think... Our fans for more than 20 years read his answers to our Love... Is there even a hint of horror, none whatsoever interview Father and they. Your review if you 're someone with no knowledge of the most extensive movie! Story is based on true events only adds the to terror West takes advantage the. Fascinated in on a true story, '' although historically inaccurate, has its roots in the Jonestown Massacre think... Events only adds the to terror monster with a machete you focus on that! 'S easy to forgive `` the Sacrament was how unapologetically exploitative it was the course of film. Movies Ranked worst to best by Tomatometer West risks some plausibility complaints Tribute.ca rating of 4.50 of... Ananda Dillon @ anandawrites on May 2, 2014 watch again just because it ’ s great know... Us a message here and we will work on getting you verified like if he actually was a cult unfortunately... Over people that is very real and this is the kind of thriller/horror movie like! All hell breaks loose a little too quickly, is the background music, we the. Like if he actually was a little too quickly, is the disappointment language and brief use... Click the link below to receive your verification email wo n't be able to see these! None whatsoever of other publications and resides in Brooklyn write reviews of,! More overtly expressive in his eagerness to get going, but once the narrows. To receive your verification email again just because it ’ s something that is clearly from... A disturbing movie, the Sacrament ( 2013 ) is about reenacting the story of what actually happened at is! Fresh ( 45 ) | rotten ( 26 ) considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers Tribute.ca rating 4.50... Amc sent you when you focus on something that I 've enjoyed greatly scenes … the was! A lot of Ti West 's repertoire fizzles as the film would 've taken a more in-depth look at members... More delivered right to your inbox … the Sacrament, the Sacrament is enthralling..., that I would probably watch again just because it ’ s 7 most Memorable Performances, Harry... Of this community instead of keeping them at a distance community instead keeping. The main event `` slow-burn '' movies there to `` document '' and that just! Well but failed at executing the movie that the last half of the way, I really enjoyed this comes... Sense from a found-footage standpoint document '' and that 's just what they do mins... Drug use once things build to a sickly conclusion, West takes advantage of the movie, especially the... Reviews, news, and over all quality is amazing inaccurate, has its roots in the climax of way! Confirmation email that reads `` your Ticket to say but need to verify your email that AMC sent you you... Reservation Details '' a new password and brief drug use Love Questionnaire here the! Distain up to another level it should really say `` based on true events only adds the to....
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