Purely Joyful Movie!

Absolutely the worst movie.

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

an ambitious but ultimately ineffective debut endeavor.

Completely predictable, terrible acting, slow long conversations that do not amount to much. In fact, much of what happens during this movie is annoying and unrealistic. The characters behave in a manner that does not make sense which I assume is supposed to be a tactic used as an attempt to add suspense; however, I found it ineffective. One of the good qualities of the movie was some of the ideas behind the story and through the design, but that is all the movie seems to contain: a hand full of good ideas that were sadly not shown in an entertaining, or a realistic manner. I understand that the movie is fiction, but it needed to have better actors, stronger dialog, and slightly realistic reactions by characters. This would have made a great book, but it made for a horrible movie.

It is a bit slow but the ending does make you stop & wonder about some of these doomsday cults. I like John Messner in comedies rather than dramas but he did a good job in his role. Didn't quite like the role of Vic. I thought he "turned" too easily considering all the dialogue in their captive stalls. I did catch one blooper. Towards the end, when Dave refuses to join the cult, "the teacher's" henchman gives Dave a pill. The pill is a round white chalky pill. When Dave breaks free of the restraints & makes himself vomit, the close-up is of a yellow & blue gelcap. I didn't catch any other bloopers but I'm sure as with all films, there are a few more.

After watching Myrick's "The Objective", I wanted to check out his other films that went straight to DVD and this was my first pick. The premise is interesting, two paramedics are "abducted" into a suicide cult of sorts and must get away before it's too late for them.There's a layer of religion (also seen in movies like "Frailty") that is really the crux of the movie - which makes us question the true motives behind religious preachers, missionaries and insane cults, as well as presenting us with an atheist point of view. The ending is the movie's strongest point, and it again poses the viewers with an important question. Myrick seems to like to ask more question than answers in his movies and "Believers" is no exception. This is a low-budget flick best seen with low expectations.5/10

Set in the eerie, furtive realm of cult followers to a bewitching music score by Kays Al-Atrakchi, "Believers" is, in true Myrick style, a masterfully crafted thriller, reliant on an atmosphere of menace and suspense, as opposed to the ubiquitous gore of most contemporary film. Through the terrifying ordeals of 2 paramedics kidnapped by the Quanta Group, led by the Teacher, issues of destiny and its attainment, introspection, religion versus science, power of suggestion and gullibility are highlighted, enabling the viewer to evaluate and ponder what might be. Most notable, is the riveting performance by Daniel Benzali, who, as the Teacher, is at his insidious, evil best. His spellbinding, measured, haunting tone of voice crystallizes the mood of the whole film, making him, without doubt, the "master of creepy". Brilliantly counterbalanced to his character is that of young Libby, whose mind, like all the others, is anesthetized by the miasma of unconditional trust, innocently misplaced in that false sense of security of blind faith, so intrinsic to cult rationale. Believe it! "Believers" is a must-see.