Ti West (director)
Second Sight Films (studio)
18 (certificate)
99 min (length)
24 June 2024 (released)
26 min
One of West’s trademarks is his ability to unleash unease and horror gradually bit by bit, as anyone who is familiar with his work, such as the earlier THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL and the INNKEEPERS will know. It’s no different with this film from 2013… starting innocently enough before things begin to take a turn that the main protagonists will regret…
When fashion photographer Patrick (Kentucker Audley), who works for the independent New York broadcaster VICE, receives an unexpected invitation from his younger sister Caroline (Amy Seimetz), a former drug addict, to visit her in the completely remote community of Eden Parish, reporter Sam (A.J. Bowen) and cameraman Jake (Joe Swanberg) are also interested in coming along because Sam is planning to make a documentary about the commune. The three are brought to the top secret location via helicopter and blindfolded. After a bit of a rocky start (guards carrying some serious rifles don’t seem too happy that Patrick has brought two uninvited guests along), Caroline appears and acts as a mediator, reassuring the guards that her brother’s friends mean no harm. Eventually, they are allowed to pass and are shown to their cabin with the intention that they will only be staying for one night and the helicopter will pick them up again early the following morning. When Sam asks as to why there are guards with rifles in a place which is supposed to be spiritual and peace-loving, Caroline replies that it’s because the community wants no interference from the ‘corrupt’ outside world and the armed guards are necessary to scare off unwanted intruders. The alarm bells should have started to ring by now but Patrick is so overjoyed at seeing his long lost sister again whilst Sam and Jake are so preoccupied with discussing how best to go about filming the planned documentary that any notion of danger utterly escapes the three visitors.
Caroline leaves no stone unturned in making the visitors feel welcome and suggeststo Sam and Jake that they should walk about the commune and ask members about their reasons for having left the material world behind them and having found a new meaning thanks to God and to ‘Father’ (Gene Jones)… Ah yes, ‘Father’… the self-styled guru and leader of Eden Project (real name: Charles Anderson Reed) who is as bonkers as any religious leader or TV-preacher – in his case though, only more dangerous and unhinged, as our visitors soon will find out the hard way.
For now though, the vibe is still positive and Caroline announces that in the evening, a party is planned especially for the guests, during which Sam will get the opportunity to interview ‘Father’. While Patrick and his sister decide to spend a few hours alone for a family reunion chat, Sam and Jake proceed to interview some of the community members – all of whom seem happy and don’t miss the outside world at all. Evening approaches and the party is in full swing, you know the schtick: jolly gospel-style music, singing, dancing and finally the big moment when ‘Father’ makes his entrance. One look at him is enough to know that here is a true conman at work who simply oozes charisma (don’t they all…) and the skill to brainwash the masses. At first, the interview between ‘Father’ and Sam goes well enough but halfway through the conversation, ‘Father’ displays a less friendly side… The alarm bells definitely should be ringing by now but Sam plays along with the changing mood of his host, presumably because Sam’s priority is to finish the documentary about this remote community of Eden Project.
When Sam and Jake return to their cabins (‘Where the hell is Patrick?”) , a mute girl secretly passes them a note – scribbled on the note are words that sound alarming in the extreme because the girl wants to leave the commune. So does her mother and other rebels, who explain to Jake that ‘Father’ is dangerous and is holding them against their will. Jake is all for rescuing the stray sheep but Sam explains that they cannot take any of them with them to New York because there simply isn’t enough room in the helicopter. Unable to find Patrick, the two friends decide to leave without him because the helicopter is waiting but promise the group of dissidents that they will return with help. After they are driven to the field where the helicopter waits, a nasty surprise lays in store and it’s from this moment on that director West turns the plot, which so far bears strong similarities to the real-life Jonestown Massacre, into a harrowing and disturbing story of his own.
It is interesting to note that director Eli Roth served as producer on this project, which, despite a low budget vibe, is a clever spin on the Reverend Jim Jones saga. The performances are to be applauded, in particular Gene Jones who succeeds totally in sending shivers down your spine.
Plenty of Bonus Material and the Limited Edition version is presented in a sturdy slipcase, plus a 70-page book and six collector’s art cards.
