It Never Stops: ‘IT FOLLOWS’ (2015) – 10 Years Later

What’s the worst that can happen from a night of promiscuity: pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or social shame? What about an impending demise that looms over your head because of a monster that will never stop following you? It’s been 10 years since It Follows slowly lurched its way onto the big screen and terrified the pants onto moviegoers nationwide.

Directed and written by David Robert Mitchell, It Follows focuses on Jay Height (Maika Monroe, Longlegs 2024) as her life is thrown into chaos after a romp in the hay changes her life. After a sexual encounter with Hugh (Jake Weary, It: Chapter Two 2019), Jay is informed that she’ll be relentlessly pursued by a being for no other reason than to kill her. It can take the shape of anything or anyone to get close to her, and it will not stop till it reaches her. Her only means of protection is to sleep with another person to pass the curse on and send the monster after someone else. Can Jay escape her pursuer, or will she be followed until there’s nowhere left to run?

It Follows was released nationwide on March 27, 2015, and grossed $15 million in the States. The film was a hit with critics and filmgoers as it’s “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 95% and a Metacritic score of 83%.

With a straight-forward and bare-bones concept, it’s understandable to think there’s not much going for the film. The simplicity of the story is what keeps it so exciting and engaging. In a world where movie trailers spoil the entire film, It Follows’ simple plot allows it to be about the journey and not the destination. While the rules about the monster might be passed down from character to character, who’s to say they’re even right in the first place? The monster’s lore has been bastardized by victims who struggled to understand it for themselves. The ambiguity of everything helps the movie feel fresh 10 years later, as there is still no resolution and finite conclusion.

Because there aren’t many (if any) answers that satiate curiosity. This has led to plenty of discussions as to what the movie means. Rather than being seen as a cop out to providing a proper ending, the lack of answers has helped the film live on. Could “it” be a metaphor for something as simple as a nickname that follows you wherever you go or as substantial as a metaphor for assault? While not conclusive, a common theory that many people accept is that the monster is representative of an STI.

The plot could be seen as “inspiration” for Paramount’s horror franchise Smile (2022). While Smile may deviate near the end, the plots are strikingly similar as they both feature a person being transferred an unkillable being that stalks them. On the other hand, sex being used as a catalyst for death has also been touched upon in 1999’s Cherry Falls, where anyone having sex would be slaughtered by a knife-wielding maniac.

Despite being 10 years old, It Follows feels current and fresh. An important distinction of all the sets and props is that it’s hard to pinpoint a specific period for the film. There’s a mishmash of technology, clothing, and props that do all they can to blur the timeline. Funnily enough, the attempt to create an obscure phone-like device has helped to place everything in a more current time. In 2016, we laughed at the bizarreness of an open clamshell device; nowadays, foldable smartphones are an everyday reality.

With a score composed by Disasterpeace, aka Richard Vreeland, the music is an eerie blend of synth and horror. This provides a rich atmosphere that layers phenomenally on top of the already-creepy environment and story. While plenty of horror films continue to come out with a heavy synth score, notably the Terrifier franchise, It Follows features memorable music and stands out amongst its peers. The opening track, “Heels,” is a strong opener because it sets the tone for the ensuing chaos.

A sequel was teased soon after, but nothing more would be said for many years. In 2023, a sequel was announced, with Maika Monroe announcing her reprisal as Jay Height. David Robert Mitchell is also back to write and direct the sequel. Production is set to begin in 2025. While there’s no definitive release date set, it’s expected for a late 2025 – early 2026 release date. A possible plot for the sequel could follow Jay as she works to uncover the monster’s origins as hinted at by Tom Quinn, co-president of Radius-TWC, the original distributors for It Follows.

Despite 10 years passing, It Follows has not aged. It still elicits the same emotions of fear and panic that many viewers felt upon its initial release. With praise from both audiences and critics, it’s apparent that sex sells. But in this instance, could it also kill? Maybe a purity ring is the only thing to keep you safe!