Believers (2007) (V)

Director:

Daniel Myrick

Writers:

Julia Fair (writer)
Daniel Myrick (writer)

Release Date:

16 October 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Watch. Decide. Believe if you must. Resist if you dare.

Plot:

Two doctors responding to an emergency call find themselves kidnapped by a religious sect whose great obsession is to stop the end of the world by committing suicide and killing people.

Plot Keywords:

Doctor | Ambulance | Cult Leader | Female Nudity | Kidnapping

Cast

Jon Huertas	...	Victor
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kyle Adahl	...	Sheriff
Nino Aldi	...	Local #3
June Angela	...	Mara
Daniel Benzali	...	The Teacher
Elizabeth Bogush	...	Deborah
Saige Ryan Campbell	...	Libby
Cullen G. Chambers	...	Cult Goon
Michael Childers	...	Extra Content Police Officer
Jordan Dang	...	Cult Boy
John Farley	...	Glasses
Jennie Floyd	...	Cult member
Michael Folkerds	...	IO's Goon
Michael Gregory	...	Extra Content Local #1
Carolyn Hennesy	...	Lina Vance
Charles Hirsch	...	Extra content Partner Detective
Nick Hodaly	...	Cult Member
Joe Howard	...	Older Cult Man
Rif Hutton	...	Weather Man on TV
Brian Lally	...	HazMat Truck Driver
Christopher May	...	Gas Station Attendant
Johnny Messner	...	David Vaughn
Andrew Elvis Miller	...	Cult Medic AKA Pill Guy
Marty Papazian	...	Ray
Erik Passoja	...	IO
Renda Pettis	...	Cult Nanny
Deanna Russo	...	Rebecca
Jeri Lynn Ryan	...	Extra Content Local #4
Natalie Salins	...	Extra Content Woman Detective
Richard Soto	...	Police Officer
Vitaliy Versace	...	Culd member
Dig Wayne	...	Captain Newsome
John Wesley	...	Leader

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

Germany:95 min | Sweden:102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

USA:R | Finland:K-15 | Australia:M | Portugal:M/16 | UK:15 | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Flame Ventures

Quotes:

[first lines]
Lina Vance: So you're saying that the Quanta Group is *completely* self-sufficient. No medicines, no shopping for clothes, no sneaking out to a movie every now and then?
IO: Well occasionally we need special supplies, but we spend most of our time working on our studies. We like to keep to ourselves.
Lina Vance: Well I'm sure you can understand that that kind of behavior can make some people a little uncomfortable. So how do you respond to those who call the Quanta Group a cult?
IO: Well this is why I'm here, to convey that we're not. Our belief system is based on empirical evidence. Cults are based on blind faith. Sometimes on science fiction author's beliefs.
[...]

Soundtrack:

Hurricane

What is the eagerness for death, if you never have lived?

The problem with any belief (an abstract), dependent on faith (an abstract), is that no concrete evidence is provided. Choosing the belief of any cult, versus one's own belief, is a quandary. An atheist does not believe in any God, whether it be a cult's God or anyone else's concept (an abstract) of God. A concept (which, again, is an abstract) may be confusing or difficult to understand. An agnostic will not accept God, without concrete evidence, but faith-based religious and spiritual systems require an acceptance based on the abstract (such persons believe that their concept of God is rooted in a higher power). God is invisible. Yet, some say that they feel, hear and see God in the nature, the rain and the wind. But, what is the formula? This remains a mystery, in this film, because it is never completely revealed. And, will our world soon end?

"Believers" (2007) promotes critical analysis, divergent thinking, introspection, and reflection. Set in a dark, creepy and furtive realm, one can be hypnotized by the bewitching mood and musical score. In Myrick style, this film becomes a masterfully-crafted thriller, effectively supplying anxiety, fear, menace, suspense, and tension. The cult represented, in this film, seems to promote life. Yet, is there life within the shroud of the death scent of Hitler's control and manipulation, his experimentation, coercion, and force?

The riveting performance by Daniel Benzali, who plays the Teacher, is at his insidious, evil best. His spellbinding, measured, and haunting tone of voice brilliantly captures the cult's intended mission, fails to reveal--until the end of the film--just how it will carry out. But, the actors and director are faithful to the script, and they do become masters of horror, without most of the blood and all of the gore. The film, beautifully counterbalanced and integrated, seems to show (at least on the surface) pratfalls of blind faith and misdirected trust. All people are born. All people will die. But, what is the eagerness for death, if we never have lived?

Because the film asks questions that our finite minds are unable to answer, I rate this film an 8 out of 10. It is entertaining, and the film is good because it makes one infinitely think. The film expands one's horizons beyond earth, heaven, and hell.