Acolytes

The "Elijah-Wood-replicant-from-Down-Under-watching-his-best-friend-bang-the-American-Apparel-model-he'd-give-his-left-nut-to-hit" movie. What I learned from this film: repressed sexual tension in teens leads to butterfly-themed murder... Wait, I already knew that. Correction: I learned nothing from this film.

(TIFF 08'): Teens, drugs, a serial killer and a stupid film...

https://esperwatchesfilms.tumblr.com/post/644330720831176704/acolytes-2008

Confusingly plotted and badly edited it nonetheless has some interesting ideas but gets bogged down in unnecessary filler and tries too hard to create a mystery that doesn't become clear when it's finally revealed so it rushes to a silly ending and spoils everything

I would have given this a higher rating if the end didn't suck. The premise was pretty neat, a little slow going at times and odd dialog choices abound, but it was still good. Until the end, where it resorts to the same predictable, cliche, boring conclusion that I've seen hundreds of times. It seemed like it was setting up for a twist worthy of the title, but the real "twist" was revealed shortly thereafter and painfully unfolded as generically as possible.

this hurts me..this movie had a cool premise...three teens unknownlingly try to blackmail a serial killer, and the tables turn on them...it has a great ending...the whole mood of the film is bleak..depressing..and utterly hopeless in both favors thiers and his...this movie had so much going for it..but the dialog at times was so bad..and the timing and pacing it seemed to rush and at other times just stall..like it needs to breathe...i would recommend it..but its got issues

Good. A group of teenagers play a deadly game of blackmail with a serial killer who turns the table on them. This is a terrific bleak thriller which lags a bit at the start but more than makes up for it with a tight and twisted ending. Highly recommended.

"A lack of focus and coherence undoes a promising premise for chilly thrills."