The Sacrament
Magnet Releasing | Release Date: June 6, 2014
5.9
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
10
Mixed:
19
Negative:
1
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
4
hopefulcynicOct 4, 2014
Once again Ti West proves that he is a master of suspense, but a novice at deliverance. The first half of the movie is not bad. It kept me at the edge of my seat until it was time for Mr West to show us what he's got. Unfortunately he justOnce again Ti West proves that he is a master of suspense, but a novice at deliverance. The first half of the movie is not bad. It kept me at the edge of my seat until it was time for Mr West to show us what he's got. Unfortunately he just doesn't have it. Good build up to a let down. Very disappointing.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
WahlbergDec 3, 2014
What starts out as a promising look into a religious cult, quickly turns into a jumbled mess of incoherent storytelling, baffling motivations, and annoying camera work.

The problem is none of the characters are well rounded or definedWhat starts out as a promising look into a religious cult, quickly turns into a jumbled mess of incoherent storytelling, baffling motivations, and annoying camera work.

The problem is none of the characters are well rounded or defined beyond the absolute basics (and they do incredibly stupid things throughout the film, especially in the second half). So when things start going bad, it's hard to care. The film seems to want to offer a deep, nuanced look into the world of cults, but West doesn't seem to be able to paint anyone with more than a primary colored brush. Everyone is a caricature ...especially "Father", who is little more than a mouthpiece for religious mumbo jumbo.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
DirigiblePulpDec 30, 2014
It feels wrong to call this a waste of Ti West's talents, or at least the strengths he's shown so far as a director, but that's kind of how it feels. A good chunk of that is the found footage aspect, although admittedly it does lend itself toIt feels wrong to call this a waste of Ti West's talents, or at least the strengths he's shown so far as a director, but that's kind of how it feels. A good chunk of that is the found footage aspect, although admittedly it does lend itself to slow burns quite well (West's specialty), but still, it just feels so prosaic and derivative. Gene Jones is perfection but the rest is mostly just, well broadly anti-personal.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
SpangleMar 3, 2016
I had no problem with the pace of The Sacrament and, in fact, Ti West does a good job setting a steady pace and really building tension. Heck, some sequences are truly unsettling and hard to watch. I even liked the found footage element ofI had no problem with the pace of The Sacrament and, in fact, Ti West does a good job setting a steady pace and really building tension. Heck, some sequences are truly unsettling and hard to watch. I even liked the found footage element of this one and I am typically lukewarm about it. That being said, The Sacrament lacks true scares and though it can create an unsettling atmosphere, it rarely delivers on this tension in the way it seemed to be trying to build up to. Thus, the lack of true scares holds this one back. That being said, it is well acted, well shot, and pretty well directed. The film feels authentic and that is what can really mess with you at times and it really fits into the documentary-style it is going for. That being said, The Sacrament is just not scary and though a compelling watch, do not expect to be scared by this one.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
SolInvictaJun 8, 2016
A slow burning found-footage movie shot documentary style about an ominous reclusive religious group. It's predictable as all hell, but fans of lingering suspense and creepy cults will get exactly what they're looking for in The Sacrament.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
JLuis_001Sep 7, 2017
The plot of this film is more complex than it appears in the first place, its treatment is more disconcerting and does not lend itself to simple or conventional horror, so for people who enjoy simple horror this will not be a movie of theirThe plot of this film is more complex than it appears in the first place, its treatment is more disconcerting and does not lend itself to simple or conventional horror, so for people who enjoy simple horror this will not be a movie of their liking, but for those who appreciate the stories about cults and their ideologies this is an excellent option.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
JLauSep 12, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Bit of artistic license taken with the Jonestown massacre story as it follows a couple of documentary creators helping a guy find his sister at the religious community before it all goes down.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
YeggoOct 4, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A fairly straightforward retelling of the Jonestown Massacre, presented as a found-footage VICE documentary. Pretty predictable once things get going, but elevated by two main factors:

1) Some nice set pieces, including a pretty innovative burn stunt and one of the better-acted poisoning deaths I've seen. (There are, unfortunately, dozens more poorly-acted ones)

2) Gene Jones! The Jim Jones type is played by the character actor known best (to me, at least) as the gas station attendant opposite Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men. He was also "Sweet Dave" in Tarantino's Hateful Eight, and as usual, he's great. Threads the needle between sweet and sinister exactly right.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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