From director Ti West is this unsettling chiller about a small crew of documentary filmmakers who travel to Eden Parish to get in contact with one of the crew’s sisters who disappeared there earlier to overcome a drug problem.
All is good when they first arrive, everyone who is there seems happy and content with the new life they have for themselves and are forever thankful to “Father” who started it all. Even the crew are convinced at first.
But things start to take a terrifying turn when a young girl hands one of them a note saying “Help us” and soon things become clear that all is not as it seems.
While not quite a found footage movie the film does have a very documentary feel to it with a lot of shaky handheld footage.
It’s when they decide to help those who wish to leave that things start to take a nasty turn. Father (a superb performance from Gene Jones) shows what a manipulative person he is, but it also shows how gullible and easily influenced people can be.
The film is slowly paced, but that works in its favour as when things do start to happen it becomes even more chilling and shocking. It is tense and you do wonder if anybody is going to escape the so-called Eden Parish.
The story is well acted with all round good performances and the disturbing atmosphere is built up very well by director Ti West.
This is a new Limited Edition version of The Sacrement from Second Sight with a great transfer and lots of new special features. Lots of interviews are on as a bonus with many of the actors, the producer and also a making of feature.
The limited edition also comes in a rigid slipcase with new artwork by Chris Malbon, a 70-page book with new essays and six collectors’ art cards.
A disturbing but also riveting film The Sacrament is one to check out if you have not already seen it.
7.5 out of 10
