Overview
- The feature, developed from a 2019 creepypasta and Kane Parsons’ viral short, has become a commercial breakout for A24 and the young director, delivering unusually fast ticket sales for the studio.
- Reviewers consistently praise the film’s large practical sets, tight cinematography and aggressive sound design for creating a tense, liminal atmosphere that keeps audiences on edge.
- Chiwetel Ejiofor’s committed performance anchors the film and moderates viewer dislike of his character without changing the story’s moral ambiguity.
- A recurring critical fault is the movie’s third act, which many critics call overexplanatory and say leaves several plot threads unresolved rather than deepening the mystery.
- The movie’s success highlights the value of creator‑origin IP and social‑first marketing to reach under‑35 audiences and has prompted early studio interest in sequels and other tie‑ins.