Since its debut in 2014, It Follows has stood the test of time, quickly cementing itself as an all-time classic horror flick. Additionally, it has inspired many spiritual successors since its release. The film’s popularity can be linked to a number of factors. It’s beautifully shot, with countless scenes framed in a way that inspires a sense of unease in audiences. The acting performances are pitch-perfect, and the film’s villain is utterly horrifying. Perhaps most importantly, it explores a wide variety of themes, which elevate it from a simple scary picture to an insightful look at intimacy and human relationships.
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Though It Follows certainly holds up as a standalone film, there are plenty of reasons for audiences to want a sequel. A new installment could come in the form of a prequel, focusing on the origins of its villain, or it could be set after the film’s events, exploring what happens to the characters after the events of the original movie, and in particular, the future of its central curse. Many questions are left unanswered, and another film has the potential to be another instant classic.
Here’s why there needs to be a sequel to It Follows.
It Follows Offers Little Resolution
The ending of It Follows perfectly sets the stage for a follow-up. In order to end the curse forever, the film’s gang of teens head to a recreation center and set up electronic devices on the outer perimeter of a pool, hoping to electrocute the monster. Their plan ultimately fails, but they manage to kill the entity by shooting it through the head.
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Jay hooks up with her longtime friend Paul, which would pass the curse along if the teens hadn’t killed the monster. However, the film’s very last shot sees Jay and Paul walking hand in hand down the sidewalk. In certain shots, a blurry figure can be seen walking in the distance behind them, which may or may not suggest that the curse has not been lifted. This sets the stage for a sequel centered around the same characters.
Where Did the Follower Come From?
An It Follows sequel could also focus on the film’s antagonist, a mysterious specter that takes on many forms and brutally murders its victims (here referred to as the Follower). Almost nothing is known about the Follower. At the beginning of the film, one of its former victims explains to Jay, the film’s primary protagonist, that it can take on any human, be it a complete stranger or a loved one. If it catches up with its prey, they are murdered in a brutal fashion.
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It would be fascinating to see the origins of the Follower. A sequel could explore where the monster came from and how the curse originated. Additionally, it would be interesting to know if there is any link between the human forms that the Follower takes on. This could potentially be linked to the film’s themes.
It Follows’ Themes Remain as Relevant as Ever
Hair-raising horror aside, perhaps the most compelling facet of It Follows is its exploration of emotionally resonant themes. In that sense, now may be the perfect time for a sequel. On the more superficial side, the contagious nature of the film’s central curse immediately makes modern-day audiences think of the recent pandemic, where concerns over spreading viruses have become more prevalent than ever.
A sequel could be set during Covid-19, which, aside from expanding upon the themes of health explored in the original film, would create the potential, due to the widespread use of masks, for terrifying Follower reveals.
However, it’s possible that drawing parallels between the It Follows curse being spread and the pandemic isn’t an entirely accurate way in which to parse the film’s themes. Many viewers have postulated the idea that the Follower only takes the form of abuse victims. Some of its avatars show clear signs of distress, and it’s possible to infer, based on contextual clues, that its other forms have been through similar trauma.
A thoughtful exploration of abuse would certainly strike a chord with audiences in a world that is increasingly conscious of both sexual and gender politics.
It Follows is arguably the best horror film released in the 2010s and may be one of the best of all time. Though crafting a sequel to a film as well-received as It Follows can be a daunting task, it certainly has a sufficiently dense storyline and enough thematic resonance to allow for another installment. Though there is, as of yet, no concrete plan in place for a sequel, audiences can continue to hope that It Follows gets a follow-up.
