25 best critically acclaimed movies on Netflix

25. It Follows (2014)

Director: David Robert Mitchell
Cast: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto, Jake Weary, Olivia Luccardi, Lili Sepe

The first film on my list is a horror picture that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014. Horror can be a verbose genre where most films fall prey to the same tropes and cliches as every horror film ever made since Halloween.

It Follows snaps that cycle with a unique storyline rooted in familiarity. The plot follows (pun absolutely intended) an adolescent girl, Jay, who is pursued by a supernatural being that can take the shape of anyone around us or remain completely invisible. “It’s” ultimate mission is death.

“It” follows Jay after she has a sexual encounter with her boyfriend. This leaves the audience to assume that the being is being transmitted through sexual intercourse.

With a score reminiscent of the 70s and 80s horror flicks, and striking cinematography, the film lives up to its genre by keeping us on our heels, hoping for the girl to get away from “the monster.”

But it’s impossible to ignore the social commentary and symbolism that the movie places in front of us. Is the film making an observation on the nature of sex or disease that may spread when proper precautions aren’t taken, or maybe we are to interpret the symbolism deeper and consider the emotions that may follow from one person to another after sex.

Either way, It Follows is a virgin take on an overused genre. A mind-bending horror film that keeps you drawn in by continually asking you to dig deeper into its premise and themes.