Martha Marcy May Marlene

As a previous reviewer mentioned-the build up of dread is almost too much. An extraordinary film with sensational performances- disturbing and hypnotic.

This gives glimpses into the world of a secluded cult headed by a menacing, scruffy 50 something with a talent for brainwashing young girls. Some scenes are haunting, others outright shocking, but most are long and slow without much dialogue. The film seems to gradually build to a climax (personally I was hoping she would 'open up' about her experiences) but then it abruptly ends! Don't watch if you like a movie that ties up loose ends as this will leave you hanging... (and feeling a bit weird).

I can see why not everyone would think much of this film, but I don't agree with some of the reviews which say this film is either boring or pointless. It's a very well acted, disturbing insight into a woman's inability to readjust to normal life after escaping from a cult. It's not a particularly "enjoyable" film given the subject matter, so don't watch it if you're just looking for something to watch while you relax on a Friday night, but I'd recommend it as a really interesting, thought-provoking film about human psychology

Excellent film. Never has a movie created an atmosphere of tension and dread so well. It is not a fast paced movie, but, its slow pace merely boosts its quality. Chilling, creepy and excellently acted.

Avoid even contemplating renting this film, never have I watched a film that has been that flippin boring to watch. Real disappointment!! Want my money back :(

Think most of the reviews on here have been a little unfair, don't watch this film if you are expecting a fast paced action film but it is very well made and well acted, and well worth I watch if you slow psychological, thoughtful films.

It's a bit of a 'nothing' film really, one that if you try to explain the plot to someone you end up going "Um, well not a lot happened come to think of it..." A girl leaves a cult. The film chops between while she was in the cult to just after she left it - quite clever at times but also irritating. Elizabeth Olsen is faultless, reminding me of a young Vera Farmiga. It's also shot very well too. Everything apart from the story is done well, and that's where it falls down. An overly ambiguous ending coupled with a boring plot and sometimes confusing order of events. Disappointing.

My choice of film is generally ones on the human condition, where nothing much (in the way of adventure) happens - but Dear Jesus is this film duh uh uh uh ull. If I hadn't have paid to rent it, I'd have bailed mid-way through. In fact, if someone made me choose between having to watch it again, and sticking forks in my eyes - I'd go with the forks. It would be infinitely less tortuous. What is this film? What is it for? It does, says, and achieves nothing - and right until the credits roll. It commits to nothing. Couldn't we at least have had a facial expression at the end, so as to know whether she was pleased/scared/sad/AN Other to see matey (I assume it was him) again? If the film investigated why she joined the cult, how, why she left - especially since she still passes positive comments on the lifestyle after her departure, how she felt about having left, why she didn't go back when she seems to miss it etc - that would have been interesting. As it is, the film isn't a character study; it isn't a narrative; it isn't insightful on cults; it isn't a thriller - since nothing happens; it's just...nothing. As a sidenote, her sister and brother-in-law don't seem very interested in what happened to her for the previous two years, which seems unrealistic. I'm just rereading the iTunes description - Trades Description Act springs to mind. Gripping? Psychological thriller? Dangerous cult? Charismatic leader? Chilling paranoia? Fragile line between her reality and delusions begin to blur? None of that happens. The only delusions are those of grandeur, which whoever wrote the precis imbues the film with. One star for the film; an extra one only because Olsen's performance is good. She plays the character extremely well, and in exactly the understated way which is apparently required.

A poorly made film that never gets going and is too slow. Her psychological issues are not properly dramatised and it's just dull.

there is nothing i can say about this film but "IT IS PAINFUL AVOID"