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There’s no shortage of movies depicting the challenges of young love—especially during the summer months. But the love triangle in Them That Follow is given a dark twist when a young woman finds herself forced to choose between two very different men while keeping a secret that could prove deadly.
Them That Follow is set in a small, isolated community in the Appalachian Mountains, where a group of deeply religious people believes that handling venomous snakes can cleanse them in God’s eyes. Mara (Alice Englert), the daughter of the charismatic pastor (Walton Goggins), has a difficult decision to make. Though her father has chosen subservient young follower Garret (Lewis Pullman) to be her husband, Mara loves Augie (Thomas Mann), a mechanic who’s turned from the church. To complicate matters even more, Mara is carrying Augie’s child—and her secret puts her in a dangerous position.
Though the constant threat of deadly snakes gives the film a chilling tone, Them That Follow isn’t really the thriller that the film’s poster seems to suggest. Instead, it’s a quiet, slow-burning coming-of-age drama about faith and family, about finding love, and about figuring out where you belong. Eventually, it does build to something much darker and more disturbing, but, at its core, it tells a familiar story with familiar themes.
Mara finds herself in a position that would be difficult for any young woman, but her upbringing and her faith make it even more serious—even potentially fatal. Unfortunately, though, the filmmakers don’t really delve too deeply into the characters’ faith. Though it’s an important part of the plot—one that shapes the characters and influences the choices they make—audiences won’t walk away with much of an understanding of the church members and their beliefs.
Still, despite its slow burn and its minimal development, this film does an excellent job of setting the tone and creating the characters. The cast is definitely noteworthy, with many of the cast members turning in solid performances. So as long as you go into the film knowing what to expect (and what not to expect), you’ll find something to appreciate in this dark Appalachian drama.
If you’re looking for a wild thriller about extreme religions and venomous snakes, you’re definitely in for a surprise here. But although Them That Follow is neither an over-the-top thriller nor a powerful, thought-provoking drama, it’s still a chilling coming-of-age film.
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