Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Sacrament’

Written by Scott Edwards 

Fitting in and being part of a group is something that many of us strive for. We feel safe in our group, like there is nothing that is able to stop us. Even when there are fights in the group, you always know that the people you are surrounded by are almost as close to you as your family is and most of the time, they will watch over you just like an older sibling would. Having the same beliefs, principles and values is what brings you together, along with striving towards one goal, it is a safe place and for the most part, you should never have to worry about yourself when being in their embrace.

The news crew from VICE is looking for their next big story and the perfect one has just fallen into their lap. With a member's sister writing to him about the new paradise she has found after running away from her drug infused lifestyle, she has invited him down to visit. Even though the group feels like they will be shooting a story that takes place in a hippie ranch, they are in need of the story and follow their member down. 

Arriving at Eden Parish, the crew finds it concerning that the place is guarded by men with machine guns. Not knowing who they are dealing with or what they can do when entering the parish, they find that almost everyone around them is so happy to have given up their past life to be a part of their new home. Being led by Father, everyone has found happiness in their small community and would not want to give it up for anything. The VICE crew is blown away with the responses they get from the locals, but there is a doubt in the back of their heads that there could be something else happening in the secluded location.

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As a party is thrown in their honor, the group heads to bed early and wakes up to a disturbing sight that they were not meant to see. As the party is cleaned up, the men with machine guns walk through the community to ensure nobody is talking to the outsiders, but a little girl is able to get her message to the men, asking for help. With so many people wanting to leave the parish and go back home, unrest is brought upon the peaceful community, and the outsiders are the ones to blame.

The Sacrament follows a group of filmmakers as they enter the world of Eden Parish. Being a group of outsiders that do not believe in the harmony outside of the city, they are treated somewhat rudely as they continue to ask questions about this paradise. When they start to believe everything, they are being told about the community however, they find out that not everyone is staying there of their own free will. With a little girl asking for help in escaping her confines, the crew finds out that there are many more that would love nothing more than to leave as well. As the unrest beings, the members from VICE are blamed and punished for their trespass to the utopian camp. Father will not allow his home to be damaged by the outsiders, much less let any one of his parishioners be punished for their faith in following him, and the members of VICE get to witness their faith, first hand.

As far as horror movies go, stories that are based on true events can come end up as some of the scariest. Without the blood, guts and scares that I am accustomed to, this movie left me shaking as the truth behind the parish slowly started to come out. Without knowing how far some people would go to protect their homes and beliefs, this is a great study of the human condition, as everything you see in the beginning of this story, starts to change in front of your very eyes. Stay Scared.

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