First time feature director Sean Durkin brings a remarkably haunting story about cult life in America to the screen with “Martha Marcy May Marlene” (2011). Durkin shows the touch of a seasoned veteran giving us a glimpse into the complex and horrifying process of one woman’s journey away from cult life. A tour de force for Durkin and his leading actress Elizabeth Olsen, this film has Best Picture written all over it.

Olsen plays the role of Martha Marcy May Marlene, a woman who disappeared from her family for two years to live on a farm located deep in the back lands of upstate U.S.A. The mysteries of the family she stayed with run deep and the audience follows Martha in her struggle to assimilate back into a “normal” existence after leaving the alternative farm lifestyle behind.

At first what looks like a large family living in a farmhouse is slowly revealed to be a cult lead by a man named Patrick (John Hawkes). Hawkes delivers a must-see performance as a skinny but all too powerful puppet master of the dysfunctional group. His words are calm and collected. You feel he is capable of doing anything at any time. This allows for some disturbing content.

The concept of the cult is an interesting one. Many things happen that the audience does not agree with yet the logic used by Patrick to persuade his so called ‘children’ oddly makes sense at times, even if you might not agree. He preys on the minds of the psychologically damaged, those who are looking for something that wasn’t available in their previous lives. Lured back by the young male co-habitants of the cult, the new female inductees must par-take in a ritual to prove they have dedicated themselves to their new family and Patrick. Durkin has created a captivating and ultimately unsettling story with these events.

Seamless parallel story lines, flawless editorial transitions and off screen action blur the lines between past and present. The audience follows Martha’s attempt to recover by living with her older sister (Sarah Paulson) at her cottage three hours from the farm. She soon realizes her old life isn’t easily forgotten. These co-existing story lines have the ability to confuse and often do. Durkin’s unique story telling methods reveal his genius. This is filmmaking on an exceptional level.

With beautiful cinematography, a subtle and creepy score, “Martha Marcy May Marlene” (2011) will plant itself deep in your mind. The most haunting reason of all: these cults still thrive and Martha’s story is just one of many happening right now.

9.5/10