Review of Sound of My Voice (2011) by Valerie P — 30 Sep 2013

Brit Marling predictably turns up once more, this time playing the role of an unlikely cult leader, Maggie. I'm intrigued by the members of cults and how they get caught up in the whole pretense of their segregated surroundings. Having been previously impressed with Marling's performance, I was also eager to see more of her.

The film follows a couple who attempt to get themselves accepted into Maggie's cult in order to expose the group as charlatans. Peter and Lorna think that they are prepared to face whatever challenges await them within the cult's secretive, basement hideout, but Peter is in denial about the effect that Maggie's "instructional" sessions are having upon him.

The film leaves a lot to the imagination; cutting in and out of scenes and creating an atmosphere of suspense and confusion. It is a useful tool for bringing the audience into the charcters' world, but I often wished that we could go back later and fill in some of the gaps. I quite enjoyed the twist at the end, but by that point I had grown tired of the continual guesswork and just longed for a little clarity.

It most definitely has its flaws, and yet this eerie tale provided entertainment and intrigue. I say, well done, Brit Marling. She seems to be an incredible, new force within film society.