Review of Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) by Paul P — 02 Jun 2012

Subtle story telling at its best that allows the viewer to become immersed in our protagonist's increasing paranioa. This is a great film....

Sean Durkin, delivers a film that examines cult behaviour which becomes a truly scary and uncomfortable experience, flitting back and forward in time we follow Olson's Martha as she attempts to leave the abusive cult that she has fallen in with. Its really effective stuff and there are moments which are genuinely creepy, particularly the ending which manages to evoke real dread without focussing on anything in particular.

Olsen is really terrific in this film and when you chuck in the always brilliant John Hawkes as the leader of this cult who is both charming and hugely intimidating again without being really overt about it. This is a really immersive story which is film making at its best....