I'll just start by saying this isn't a 10-out-of-10. But, at the same time, anyone giving this film 1 star either hasn't watched anything but Hollywood blockbusters, or is so repelled by low-budget indie films that they're blinded to any actually talent those films may show.
I haven't looked into the production, but I'd guess this film was made on a maximum budget of about $300.
That's not a criticism.
It's unconventional and, in places, what people may call "arty". Then again, there are moments that seem overly familiar or even formulaic.
All that said, there is a lot to admire here, and I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like It. I was reminded of Skinamarink - another much maligned film - in some moments, but this is a very different movie.
If you're expecting a Found Footage film, this is not it. It uses a lot of FF conventions but it's really not trying to fit into that genre.
It's not without it's flaws, but I think a lot of reviewers here have just seen how low-budget it is and written it off, but that sells it VERY short.
The acting from the two young leads is brilliant. I hope they both have much success as actors in the future because I absolutely believed their performances in this and they're both clearly talented.
The plot was mostly orginal, and clearly a procuct of the Covid pandemic. I won't drop any spoilers but, while it clearly took inspiration from other things, this was not at all derivative.
In terms of referencing the pandemic, I think films and stories like this will really start to show their significance in a few years when we can properly look back on that period from the outside.
So, TLDR: An ultra-low budget, essentially amateur film, but with excellent acting and unique style. If you're capable of appreciating a film regardless of its budget (which, clearly, many other reviewers I here were not), you may really get a kick out of this.
I haven't looked into the production, but I'd guess this film was made on a maximum budget of about $300.
That's not a criticism.
It's unconventional and, in places, what people may call "arty". Then again, there are moments that seem overly familiar or even formulaic.
All that said, there is a lot to admire here, and I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like It. I was reminded of Skinamarink - another much maligned film - in some moments, but this is a very different movie.
If you're expecting a Found Footage film, this is not it. It uses a lot of FF conventions but it's really not trying to fit into that genre.
It's not without it's flaws, but I think a lot of reviewers here have just seen how low-budget it is and written it off, but that sells it VERY short.
The acting from the two young leads is brilliant. I hope they both have much success as actors in the future because I absolutely believed their performances in this and they're both clearly talented.
The plot was mostly orginal, and clearly a procuct of the Covid pandemic. I won't drop any spoilers but, while it clearly took inspiration from other things, this was not at all derivative.
In terms of referencing the pandemic, I think films and stories like this will really start to show their significance in a few years when we can properly look back on that period from the outside.
So, TLDR: An ultra-low budget, essentially amateur film, but with excellent acting and unique style. If you're capable of appreciating a film regardless of its budget (which, clearly, many other reviewers I here were not), you may really get a kick out of this.