I get the meaning that it wasn't just that house, it was a city-wide cult massacre. But this changes the whole film, from something that felt personal into some shared emergency like The Walking Dead. Can't think of any reason for that, except The Invitation II
http://TheMovieGoer.com
I'm trying to make sense of that myself
shareWhy do you think it was city-wide? It was just the hill with bad cell reception.
How does this change the film? It doesnt. Its just that the guru guy planned it this way. Whats hard to understand here?
There is absolutely nothing comparable to Walking Dead in this movie.
I found the ending believable. Check for more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_suicide
Why do you think it was city-wide?
not really, its not an ongoing crisis like a zombie apocalypse or virus. it was one event and its over, "just" a mass suicide/homicide.
about how it changes the meaning of the film, I think its like everyone has their tragedies and own issues. the movie is focused on that one group like its an isolated thing but it was not, there are mentally unstable and manipulable people everywhere. also shock value.
its not an ongoing crisis
[deleted]
It was just the hill with bad cell reception
I was also confused by this!!
"When Life Gives You Lemons"
Ezra: write a book about the lemons
Why does everything have to be specifically spelled out? The ending scene where you see all the red lanterns gave this movie an awesome, Twilight Zone feel.
Who cares about the specifics, I don't need to see a scene in a basement where the cultists have maps and diagrams with pictures pinned to the walls planning out how and when they're going to pull everything off.
The mystery is its own entertainment.
_______
Who cares about the specifics
So people with high standards like to be spoonfed, have everything be spelled out for them?
shareI said people with high-standards care about the specifics, you have low reading comprehension, probably why you're so easily satisfied.
http://TheMovieGoer.com
The ending (final scene) to me was interesting and also surprising. I don't need everything spelt out to me. If this movie did that it would hardly be a mystery/thriller.
The "sleeper" cells in these hills could have been implanted over many years. How many americans vacation in mexico where "i'm the wiz" pulls the strings? And then on this one day, it all hits the fan. You know kinda like terrorists.
I don't need everything spelt out to me.
'Spelt' is perfectly acceptable.
shareBritish Dictionary definitions for spelt Expand
spelt
/spɛlt/
verb
1.
a past tense and past participle of spell
I'm english. go figure.
Examples from the Web for spelt Expand
Contemporary Examples
I too was taught the trade of man And spelt the lesson plain; But they, when I forgot and ran, Remembered and remain.
But, you know, in his defense, who wouldn't jump at a chance to make a spelling correction on a derivative of "spell", from a sentence claiming spell correction is unnecessary. If it had landed, it would have been glorious. So give him some credit there. haha
shareI'm not sure the British spelling is accepted when you've got hyphenated "high-standards."
shareNo offense, but you're coming off like a real doucher. The film was great. It was a nice twist to throw on. Leaves a lot for the viewer to think about.
shareI'm never offended by thread-bumping puppets like yourself.
Bump my thread again, puppet.
http://TheMovieGoer.com
This is the full post that person wrote:
Why does everything have to be specifically spelled out? The ending scene where you see all the red lanterns gave this movie an awesome, Twilight Zone feel.
Who cares about the specifics, I don't need to see a scene in a basement where the cultists have maps and diagrams with pictures pinned to the walls planning out how and when they're going to pull everything off.
The mystery is its own entertainment.
people with high standards need to have everything spelled out for them
I now see that you hate 2001: A Space Odyssey.
shareNo, but thanks for admitting you have low standards.
I feel it was a planned worldwide event.They learned about it in Mexico,and with media a cult following can spread just like a viral video.People look for answers.many look for the wrong ones.That is why the man in the film almost falls for "The Invitation".Because of his pain.He decides to fight back,and we believe he wins,until the end.We see the fight is not over yet.
shareNot about standards at all but use of imagination.
We've met before, haven't we?
Totally agree 100%
shareExactly
shareIt wasn't city-wide. It was only in the hills where all the $1.5mil and up properties are.
Historically, wealthy Los Angelinos have been particularly susseptable to weird alternative spiritualisms; psychedelic chrystal worship and suicide cults. Think of the Manson Family and Jonestown, for instance.
Historically, wealthy Los Angelinos have been particularly susseptable to weird alternative spiritualisms; psychedelic chrystal worship and suicide cults. Think of the Manson Family and Jonestown, for instance.
And most people who died in Jonestown were poor. And "chrystal" isn't spelled that way.
Probably just disregard this dude.
Historically, wealthy Los Angelinos have been particularly susseptable to weird alternative spiritualisms; psychedelic chrystal worship and suicide cults. Think of the Manson Family and Jonestown, for instance.
suffice to say that what follows won’t come as a huge shock to anyone who’s spent time in certain echelons of Los Angeles, a city known for its openness to many different and mysterious forms of self-help therapy
It wasn't city-wide. It was only in the hills where all the $1.5mil and up properties are.
I really enjoyed this movie, though was a little confused by the ending with all the red lights.
Was the whole hill converted by the leader of the cult, or did Matthew brain wash all the locals?
Bit confused. But I suppose at least it was original and had you thinking after.
"Life is like a movie. Only you can't Pick your Genre"
Yeah or at least some people in those houses were. And supposedly they bared the windows and doors in those houses as well. Makes it all a bit unlikely but nice shock value haha.
share9/10
When David lit up the lantern and hung it on the tree, it symbolized the start of their ritual. At the very end when we see Kira and Will looking out at the hills, they see a lot more of those red lanterns lit up. So obviously, this "cult" was more a city-wide thing.
Although the film was slow, the character development was utterly fantastic. The audience gets a glimpse of Will's past with flashbacks every now and then. With his son passing away for a reason unknown to the viewers, it leaves us to determine that Will has clearly not been able to move on. With that in mind, the audience isn't able to quite put it together if in fact there is a cult or if Will simply has gone crazy.
If you're into psychological thrillers, I strongly recommend you watch this flick.
When David lit up the lantern and hung it on the tree, it symbolized the start of their ritual. At the very end when we see Kira and Will looking out at the hills, they see a lot more of those red lanterns lit up. So obviously, this "cult" was more a city-wide thing.
Everyone that's an idiot. There's no big secret or mystery to it. You're meant to think that those are the only people in the cult but then in the last shot you see that there were cult members all over the place. It's really not that hard to figure out. Lots of red lights = lots of cultist = lots of dead people. Pretty goddamn simple.
shareWho are you talking to, you didn't quote anything and you have no posts in this thread.
http://TheMovieGoer.com
he replied to you submachine so he is talking to you, dont you see his response nested with yours?
shareI use inline, and quoting is always preferable.
http://TheMovieGoer.com
That submachine isn't half a troll, isn't it?
And it's not a very bright one at that
It had a pop at PrimeMinisterOfTheSinister by posting
"Who are you talking to, you didn't quote anything and you have no posts in this thread"
And then responded to you with
"I use inline, and quoting is always preferable"
I suspect that the troll didn't spot the irony of it trying to criticise a human's comment by replying in exactly the same fashion
What an hilarious lack of self-awareness and insight
Mind you, I'd hazard a guess that this particular troll is also very much a disciple of the "Do as I say, not as I do" church
ps
I have to confess that my irritation at its mostly-drivel output whilst 'discussing' this film led me to having a quick look at its IMDB comments-history
There, it was obvious that it spends most of its time trolling on a lot of film discussion boards
I ended up writing this as a cathartic exercise, and I replied to you, rather than the troll, because my motto is "Don't feed the trolls"
Waffle/rant over
THeFilmGazette
I agree and will add that that its a slow boil tension builder and plays with the idea of an unreliable narrator.
I mean it was so uncomfortable and because of the buildup of tension I was squeezing the seat rest between the seats.
I dreamt of a roaring river and a woman that was a fish. Dead she drifted, with red tears...
I think that the ending is actually more of a metaphor for the pains and tragedies that haunt our lives rather than the realities that there maybe a lot of cults/ homicides in the city. That's why the ending is so powerful, it makes a personal story like you said become more universal for viewers.
And there are only 3 people who survive in the film: Will, Kira and Tommy. But they will be haunted after that terrifying tragedy, especially Tommy whose partner Miguel died. The red lanterns (many red lanterns) at the end of the film represent painful memories that they will never forget. And the scene which Will and Kira hold hands proves that they will face and try to overcome that tragedy.
it makes a personal story like you said become more universal for viewers.