Review of The Sacrament (2014) by Andrew H — 25 Sep 2014

I must confess that when I saw Eli Roth's name associated with this film I became leery due to his past projects (torture porn) but this one is different; depicting similarities with the real event of mass suicide of Jonestown in the late 70's at Guyana by Jim Jones.

I am assuming the writer and director wanted to make a film borrowing from the Jonestown tragedy. At least this found-footage thriller is more convincing than Blair Witch, Cloverfield, Paranormal Activity, etc.

We have two journalists assisting their friend to find his missing sister (Caroline played by Amy Seimetz), whom he tracked down. The sister has joined a "cult" but in Caroline's view it is an idyllic compound named Eden Parish.

Disconcerted, Patrick (Kentucker Audley) decides to visit her with two Vice Media reporters - a correspondent, Sam (a good A. J. Bowen), and videographer, Jake (Joe Swanberg) - who hope the trip leads to a story.

There are many red flags along the way that I would find suspicious if I was the journalist visiting this place like armed guards, secrecy of the location, the man named Father who is the compound leader played by Gene Jones.

Selling all your possessions and giving the profits to the compound so they can continue in business is another red flag. Overall, the compound seems to be a utopia where love, tolerance, respect and religious fervor is observed but something else hides beneath the surface.

I will leave you with this: What some people do in the name of God is truly scary and wrong. Recommended and available in HD on Netflix streaming!