It Follows
Performance & Direction: It Follows Review
Last updated: February 23, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is It Follows (2015) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and It Follows features a noteworthy lineup led by Maika Monroe . Supported by the likes of Keir Gilchrist and Daniel Zovatto , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: It Follows
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2015, It Follows is a Horror, Mystery film directed by David Robert Mitchell. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Maika Monroe.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. A young woman is followed by an unknown supernatural force after a sexual encounter. Director David Robert Mitchell uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Maika Monroe's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Thematic Depth
Beneath the scares lies commentary on deeper fears like loss of control, the unknown, or societal anxieties manifested as literal monsters.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the creators' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Ending Explained: It Follows
Ending Breakdown: Directed by David Robert Mitchell, It Follows concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Maika Monroe, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of It Follows reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch It Follows?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Maika Monroe or the director
- Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere
Box Office Collection: It Follows
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $2.3M |
| Worldwide Gross | $23.4M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
It Follows Budget
The estimated production budget for It Follows is $2.3M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: It Follows
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Fandango At HomeIt Follows Parents Guide & Age Rating
2015 AdvisoryWondering about It Follows age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of It Follows is 101 minutes (1h 41m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.6/10, and global performance metrics, It Follows is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2015 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Follows worth watching?
It Follows is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 6.6/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find It Follows parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for It Follows identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of It Follows?
The total duration of It Follows is 101 minutes, which is approximately 1h 41m long.
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How It Follows Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for It Follows
> An innovative horror-drama with a simplicity. It was not too long ago I saw the director's other film, his first one and liked it instantly. I did not expect him to go all the way from a beautiful teen drama to a creepy horror flick. But I liked this movie as well, thus that prove he's not a fluke. After seeing his both the films, I can detect the style of presentation that marks his trademark. That is very realistic, dull, but a natural societal atmosphere with a mere background score. I have said many times that these days horror flicks are heavily leaning on the scary noise/sounds. But this film brings the tone that's really happening around us. The story was like a straight flowing river, no twists or turns like the Amazon river. Even it did not try to hide the existence of the evil spirit. Not only from us, but among the characters in the story. That means it is a very simple tale with the compelling scenes. It does not look like a cheap horror, this 2 million movie can stand up to any fancy horror flicks. The writer/director's interpretation was very interesting too. Like he said IT could board a plane to follow who he's after. The theme was also very innovative. Quite similar types have made out, but this one was way better. Yep, many movie goers overwhelmed by the unexpected, even the filmmakers for the response. Now I pray for if there is going to be a sequel, it must be made by the same writer/director. My worry is the B category filmmakers going to spoil the original in the name of follow-up. I highly recommend this movie, especially for adults due to the plot that develops on the sexual intercourse. Though there's no strong nudity. I also suggest you to watch at night, if possible alone. I won't guarantee that it would scare out of you, but that's the best way to watch any horror flick. 8/10
I wanted more by the end, but that's not to say 'It Follows' isn't a very, very good film - it is. I adore the look of the film, the cinematography is superb; the score is nice too. Maika Monroe leads a solid cast excellently. The premise is certainly interesting and it does create suitable tension, while the effects used are neat. The plot is quite sexual, potentially overly so in a couple of moments but in truth it needs to be for the most part. I would've, elsewhere, appreciated a deeper dive into the antagonists, also. I could see a sequel coming from this, it's the sorta concept that could easily produce many sequels. I'd be fine with just the one, but would watch another - it must keep the same vibe though.
**It Follows shines as a unique and fresh horror film that pours on the anxiety and dread with a clever slow burn that will keep its viewers glued to the screen, desperate to see what happens next.** Ok, ok, ok. I know the synopsis of this movie sounds like a lame excuse to focus on the sexual escapades of young college students, as many horror movies do. Instead, It Follows is surprisingly creative, well-done, and fresh that doesn't linger on the sensual but instead almost warns of potential consequences. The premise of a slow but relentless entity endlessly pursuing its cursed target is eerie, tense, and filled with suspense. Typical horror films repeat the same face-paced terror and disturbing gore and images. However, It Follows sets itself apart with a slow-building tension that keeps its audience unsettled but engaged, wondering what will happen next. This movie deserves all its hype with its innovative concept, clever script, and genius directing. While it does have unnecessary random nudity near the end, It Follows is worth fast-forwarding a few seconds to enjoy a creepy masterstroke of slow-burn horror.
The exceptional cinematography contributes to its distinctive atmosphere and is unquestionably the finest element of the “It Follows”. Exploiting the idea of impending doom to terrify the viewer rather than depending on a monster or jump scare is a refreshing change. Nevertheless, the premise was rather uninteresting, and the acting, although adequate, failed to leave an impression. Moreover, a ludicrous climax causes “It Follows” to lose focus, resulting in an underwhelming conclusion. Although enjoyable, the film falls well short of the high expectations set by its critical acclaim. ___ Rating: 6.9/10 (Good, Slightly Flawed)
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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